Bachelor's Programme in Marine Geoscience

The Bachelor's program in marine geoscience at Stockholm University, Department of geological sciences. In the program you study the oceans and sea floors, how they are structured and what they consists of, as well as the processes forming them and their development over time.
Askö

Askö Laboratory. Photo: Jerker Lokrantz, Azote


Are you passionate about the sea? Then the Marine Geoscience program is something for you. The Earth is called ”the blue planet” because about 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by oceans. The marine sector has expanded enormously in Sweden and internationally, driven by the ”blue economy” which sees the oceans as a resource. The sustainable use of ocean resources requires knowledge about the oceans and sea floors. This has led to an increased demand for competence in global-regional-local questions regarding marine environments. Private companies as well as government agencies (such as the Geological Survey of Sweden and the Swedish Maritime Administration) show increased demand for competence in sea floor mapping and assessment of conditions for underwater installations and other activities, and their environmental impact in our seas and along our coasts. This program was developed to meet these needs.

In the program you study the oceans and sea floors, how they are structured and what they consists of, as well as the processes forming them and their development over time. You will learn how marine sediments are formed and where they occur, and how their chemical, physical and biological properties can be used to reconstruct the Earth’s climate and environmental development. Practical skills in marine geophysical mapping are taught together with geological sampling and processing of collected data to develop digital maps describing different aspects of the sea floors. Quantitative skills and knowledge in physics and chemistry are important for marine geoscience. Therefore, the first year gives a solid foundation by including basic mathematics, chemistry and physics in the education. The first year also prepares for the possibility of postgraduate studies in marine geoscience, as this also requires understanding of basic natural sciences.


Year 1

Compulsory courses:

Geological Sciences (15 credits) Autumn term*
Mathematical Methods for Natural Scientists (15 credits) Autumn term
Basic Chemistry (15 credits) Spring term
Physics for geoscientists (15 credits) Spring term

Year 2

Compulsory courses:

Sedimentary Systems (7.5 credits) Autumn term*
Oceanography for Geoscientists (7.5 credits) Autumn term*
Paleoceanography and Marine Geology (7.5 credits) Autumn term*
Submarine Geomorphology (7.5 credits) Autumn term*

Marine Map-making and Geodesy (7.5 credits) Spring term*
Marine Geophysics (7.5 credits) on site course Spring term*
Marine Geotechnics (7.5 hp) Spring term*
Marine Geophysical Mapping Methods (7.5 credits) Spring term*

Year 3

Elective courses (30 credit)
Degree Project in Marine Geoscience (30 credits, VT/HT)*

*The course is included in the main area of the education

Note! In order to obtain a bachelor's degree at the Faculty of Science at Stockholm University, the course Scientific Method 1.5 credits is compulsory. This sub-course is included in the syllabus for the degree project/independent work at undergraduate level, but is read independently of when you do your degree project. It is an advantage to read it early in the education.





Meet our teachers

Meet some of our teachers and researchers.

Agatha de Boer, Professor in Physical Paleoceanography | Oceanography for Geoscientists, 7.5 credits

The course describes the circulation of the oceans and the dynamics that drive it. You will learn how the ocean basins affect circulation, about the properties of sea water, about basic atmospheric circulation and climate, wind-driven circulation in the ocean surface, circulation in the deep ocean, ocean waves, tides, sea ice and the connections between large ice sheets and the ocean. The course also provides an introduction to biochemical cycles in the world’s oceans.

Link to the course Oceanography for geoscientists

Photo: Sören Andersson @Stockholmuniversity

Christophe Dupraz, Associate Professor in Geomicrobiology | Geological Sciences, 15 credits

The course provides an exciting introduction to the earth as a system through lectures, practical exercises and excursions. Students learn about the processes that shaped our planet and made it habitable, plate tectonics and its consequences (earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis), how rocks are created and transformed through the rock cycle, stratigraphy (geological layers and deposits) and paleontology (fossils and the evolution of life), how the world’s oceans work, how geochemical energy is reused and transformed in ecosystems, and how humans affect the climate. This course have field work on Gotland and Utö

Link to the course Geological Sciences


Meet our alumni

These former students, our alumni, continue to be part of our story. Many stay connected in different ways – by sharing updates, celebrating milestones, or simply cheering on the community from afar. One day, you will be part of that legacy too.

Alexander Bäckström

Alexander Bäckström took a master’s degree with a focus on marine geology in 2018 at the Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University. His independent work dealt with how satellite images can be used to estimate depth in shallow waters and how to compile this with different types of sonar measurements into a digital depth model. Today, Alexander works as a geologist at Sweden’s Geological Survey.

When I was studying, it was the courses on marine subjects that inspired me the most, so it’s great that there is now a whole program with that focus. I would definitely have chosen it if it was available when I was choosing a bachelor’s program.”

Emma Sellén

Emma Sellén has a background in studies in marine geoscience and received her doctorate in 2010 at Stockholm University with a thesis that dealt with the oceanographic development of the Arctic Ocean. Today Emma works in Oslo for the company iSURVEY (part of the Reach Subsea Group, www.isurvey-group.com) where she leads marine-geological and geophysical surveys of the seabed. iSURVEY has particularly focused on minimizing the environmental footprint of installations and other activities at sea.

We are currently looking to recruit marine geoscientific expertise as marine activities are increasing greatly and new areas need to be explored with the green transformation of our economy”

What Can You Do After Your Bachelor's Degree?

After completing your Bachelor's degree in Marine Geoscience, you’ll have a range of opportunities to shape your future—whether you choose to continue your studies or begin your professional career.

If you’re interested in deepening your expertise, you can enroll in our Master’s Programme in Geological Sciences, with specialization in Marine Geology. This programme prepare you for careers in research and academia, with opportunities available both nationally and internationally.

If you prefer to enter the workforce, your degree opens doors to a variety of fields.

Career Opportunities in Marine Geoscience – With a Focus on Sweden

  1. Marine Industries and Seafloor Mapping
    Sweden’s marine industries, including offshore energy, and shipping, increasingly rely on detailed knowledge of the seafloor. Marine geoscientists play a key role in conducting seabed surveys, sediment analysis, and bathymetric mapping. Opportunities exist in private sector companies, as well as through governmental agencies such as the Swedish Maritime Administration (Sjöfartsverket), which is responsible for safe navigation and maintains nautical charts based on geoscientific data, and the Swedish Geological Survey (SGU), responsible for geological mapping of our marine areas.
  2. Local and Regional Planning Agencies
    With Sweden’s extensive coastline and archipelagos, regional planning must consider coastal erosion, sea level rise, and sustainable development. Marine geoscientists contribute to urban planning, port development, and hazard assessments. County Administrative Boards (Länsstyrelserna) and municipalities increasingly seek professionals who can integrate marine geoscience data into long-term planning, especially in climate-sensitive areas.
  3. Environmental Monitoring and Assessments
    The Baltic Sea and North Sea are under constant environmental pressure. Marine geoscientists are vital in monitoring sediment transport, pollution levels, and ecosystem changes. Positions can be found within consulting firms and government agencies such as the Swedish Geological Survey (SGU), which conducts marine geological mapping, and Swedish EPA (Naturvårdsverket), which supports marine conservation.
  4. Underwater Construction (Cables, Wind Farms, Coastal Infrastructure)
    The expansion of offshore wind energy, particularly in southern Sweden and the Baltic Sea, demands expertise in marine substrates and geotechnical conditions. Marine geoscientists are essential for planning and monitoring the installation of wind turbine foundations, undersea cables, and pipelines. Collaboration opportunities also exist with the Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten), which supports offshore renewable energy initiatives.
  5. Universities and Research Institutions
    Marine geoscientists can pursue careers in academic research, both in Sweden and internationally. Institutions like Stockholm University, Uppsala University, and University of Gothenburg have strong marine science departments involved in international research projects. Careers may involve teaching, fieldwork, and interdisciplinary collaboration, especially in topics like climate change and marine spatial planning.
  6. Governmental Agencies and Marine Security
    Marine geoscientists are also employed by strategic governmental agencies such as the Swedish Coast Guard (Kustbevakningen) and the Swedish Armed Forces/Navy (Försvarsmakten), supporting national security, maritime border control, and underwater reconnaissance. Their expertise is crucial in analyzing seabed conditions for navigation, defense infrastructure, and identifying underwater hazards.

Whatever path you choose, your degree provides a solid foundation for a dynamic and impactful career.

Student counsellor
elisabeth.dacker@geo.su.se

Study director for the candidate programs in Geoscience and Marin geoscience
Richard Gyllencreutz (Assistant professor of Marine geophysics)
richard.gyllencreutz@geo.su.se
08-674 75 95