The Scripps Institution of Oceanography department offers graduate degrees in Oceanography, Marine Biology, and Earth Sciences. A graduate student's work will be concentrated in one of three tentative program areas: Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere Program, Geosciences of the Earth, Oceans, and Planets, or Ocean Biosciences Program. The interdisciplinary nature of research in marine and earth sciences is emphasized. Students are encouraged to take courses from various UC San Diego departments, and to pursue interdisciplinary research projects.