Chanshu Gao BSc Oceanography, 2014

Project researcher, Oxford Microfinance Initiative

My Bachelor’s study was based on a ‘’2 plus 2’’ arrangement between Nanjing University and the University of Southampton.

Although humans first acquired knowledge of the waves and tides of the oceans in pre-historic times, modern oceanographic knowledge remains limited. The field of ocean engineering provides an important link between the oceanographic disciplines, coupled with a basic understanding of how the oceans work.

My study of Oceanic Science at Nanjing University in China from 2010 to 2012 provided me with a strong scientific foundation both in geography and oceanography, and oceanography developed into a passion of mine from then on. Two years ago, my desire to experience a different culture and my admiration for one of the greatest oceanography research centres in Europe led me to the Waterfront Campus at the University of Southampton to complete my Bachelor’s degree in Oceanography. During various lab sessions and fieldwork, not only did I observe researchers demonstrating the chemistry and physics in ocean waters, I also got the chance to learn in details all the processes and related concepts by doing the measurements and simulations on my own. NOCS is a great place, where I have gained so much academic experience and knowledge in the oceanography field, and where I have met so many intelligent oceanographers.

I went on to complete an MSc by Research in hydrodynamic processes in the Bristol Channel at University of Oxford. I am now a Project researcher at the Oxford Microfinance Initiative.