1. What is the main focus of the Institute of Hydrological and Oceanic Sciences?

The Institute of Hydrological and Oceanic Sciences, National Central University, is an independent institute in the National Central University’s College of Earth Sciences. It is also Taiwan’s only hydrological and oceanic institute. Although the name sounds like it may be an unpopular field, there has always been a need for people in Taiwan’s marine energy, coastal environment, water resources, and tsunami related disaster prevention/reduction fields. Not only that, the need for knowledgeable people in these fields is only increasing. Thus, graduates from this institute have a broad range of choices in both research work and actual application. Many graduate students continue to conduct research in the academic field, mostly in the central or local government’s public water conservation sector. Some may work in consultation companies, marine research agencies, or green energy/environmental protection related industries.

Earth Science is field that the National Central University excels at. Study themes in earth science covers space, the atmosphere, the physical earth, the biosphere and the hydrosphere. Among these, the hydrosphere plays a crucial role and links all the other fields together. This institute specializes in the hydrological cycle, which covers water in the ocean, near shore, surface rivers, underground water, and hydro-related processes in the atmosphere. The objective is to use methods of basic research to satisfy the requirements of sustainable environmental development and renewable energy from society under climate change. Thus, the courses in this institute various from fluid dynamics (very theoretical) to data analysis, numerical methods, and remote sensing technology (very applicable). The courses also cover disaster prevention and coastline project planning practices. The courses and training provided by this institute not only are more systematic than that in engineering departments and institutes, but are also more practical and applicable than that provided in science departments.

2. What kind of graduate students do this institute wish to recruit? (personality, characteristics etc.)

Hydrological and oceanic science are cross-field disciplines. We welcome students from every background to come and apply. Students with science backgrounds (mathematics, physics, atmospheric ocean, earth science, and environmental science) have an advantage in basic theoretical research and numerical calculation. Engineering background students (electronics, electrical engineering, computer science, civil engineering, hydraulic and ocean engineering and environmental engineering) can master application technology integration and begin conducting remote sensing quickly, and precede survey technology development, various disaster prevention and renewable energy related studies. In the future, climate change and marine sustainable development studies will focus on interaction between people and the environment. Therefore, participation from students with social science backgrounds is also welcomed.

This institute does not place a limitation on the applicant’s major in university. However, this institute has some foreign graduate students, and most of the courses are taught in English. International interactions are also quite often. Thus, we strongly suggest students to develop their English communication skills. In addition, as a young scientist, we encourage our students to be curious and enthusiastic about science, and show their concern for environment. Most important of all, we expect our students to always aiming for achievements, to become a scientist able to analyze and solve problems independently with their knowledge, and be aware of environmental issues.


3. How is this institute different from other similar institutes in other schools? What are the specialties of this school?

This institute is the only hydrological and oceanic science institute in Taiwan. Most of institutes similar to it is affiliated with the college of engineering, in which they study water conservation, water resources and rivers, and marine engineering from an engineering perspective. Another similar institutes are subordinate to college of science, such as institute of oceanography. Others, in rivers and coastal morphology research, it is partially related to geography institutes. Generally speaking, engineering and science studies are very different in methods and purposes. Engineering is technical research oriented towards practical application, which emphasizes creation and invention based on known knowledge and principles; Basic science, on the other hand, is research aimed at exploring the principles of nature in an attempt to discover new laws of change. Therefore, there are great differences between the two in terms of research topics and training methods.

This institute is subordinate to the College of Earth Sciences. Our special feature is that we focus on both principles of research and practical application. We promote dialogue between engineering, hydrological, and marine basic science. We also expect basic research to incline to practical applications that can benefit our society, as well as to allow relevant engineering technology to develop thoroughly based on new understanding of natural principles, and to prevent technology from causing environmental side-effects due to lacking of overall perspective. Based upon above-mentioned motto, courses and trainings in our institute tried to integrate the advantages from both of engineering and science colleges, and expect our students to make contribution to Taiwan’s policy formulation, technology development, and engineering industry, even under a such rapidly-changing, people-effecting circumstance.


4. Reminder for applicants. What should you prepare? What can they do to attract the school’s attention?

Our institute complies with the international admissions policy of National Central University, and usually require face-to-face interview. For the interview, we recommend applicants to think about what research topics interest them, collect related information in global and different perspective, and get familiar with related English terms as well as current events. Additionally, staying informed about current events related to these fields can be helpful. For example, the conflict between conservation of Taoyuan’s algal reef and coastal land development, the impact of the Kuroshio Current on Taiwan’s marine ecology and fishery catch, and where coastal plastic trash comes from (as well as how to handle this plastic trash), also the threats from typhoons, storms, floods and drought brought on by climate changes and more. You can refer to website of "Office Of International Affairs, National Central University" for other international student admission information.