isThe AMS publishes everything you need to teach an introductory-level ocean sciences course: an open-access textbook and an optional companion student manual for $99 per student. 

Introduction to Ocean Sciences, 6th Edition

A new, introductory-level oceanography open-access textbook 

The American Meteorological Society and Dr. Doug Segar are pleased to announce the publication of Introduction to Ocean Sciences, 6th edition. Since 2006, the AMS has published Ocean Studies, while Dr. Segar has authored Introduction to Ocean Sciences since 1997. These two texts have now been merged into a single volume, which will be available beginning in Fall 2026.

Why Choose Introduction to Ocean Sciences for Your Course?

• This open-access textbook is backed by the AMS, a 100+ year old scientific non-profit organization. This means...
  • The book will be updated and published continuously. Many open-access books disappear or become stale when the lead author retires or loses interest. With decades of experience publishing textbooks, the AMS has the track record and resources to support this textbook indefinitely.
  • We have access to some of the best oceanographers and marine scientists to ensure each edition includes the latest scientific discoveries and research.
  • As a scientific non-profit, we are free from political and commercial pressures. Our single goal is to produce the best textbook possible to help your students learn about the science of oceanography.
• As an open-access textbook, it lowers the cost for your students and is very simple to adopt.
• Adoption of the textbook includes lecture slides, end-of-chapter questions, progress questions and text bank questions

The textbook is licensed under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.

Ocean Sciences in Action Manual

The AMS offers the optional Ocean Science in Action Manual. Combined with the textbook, it includes everything you need to teach an introductory ocean science course:

• Two investigation activities aligned with each chapter
• Six case studies
• Quiz and test banks
• Lecture slides for each chapter

Request an Examination Copy

All manual materials are provided in formats compatible with most learning management systems (LMSs) including Blackboard, D2L Brightspace, Moodle, and Canvas. 

In the 2026-27 academic year, we are offering the Manual for free to students of faculty who have not used it before. Contact us for more information.

Integration with your Learning Management System

Learning management files for the textbook and manual are available in the following formats:

• Blackboard
• D2L Brightspace 
• Moodle - QTI XML package (zip)
• Canvas - QTI XML package (zip)
• Other LMS - Respondus Text (txt) and Archived (rsa) files

Adoption

The textbook will be available from us directly as PDFs and via an online reader at LibreTexts (who will also print and ship a copy to you for a small fee). LibreTexts also offers a robust, free online reader with enhanced accessibility support.

Introduction to Ocean Sciences, 6th Edition is accessible for free online. If you wish to access the faculty materials described above, you can adopt the textbook through AMS or by creating a LibreTexts instructor account.

Ocean Sciences in Action is available for purchase by your students via your campus bookstore, the AMS Education Bookstore and Inclusive Access (a.k.a. First Day/Same Day Access). Contact your RedShelf or VitalSource representative for more information about Inclusive Access.

"This volume addresses two of the most important aspects of understanding the ocean: that the ocean is a critical component of so many of society’s needs (food, energy, economic stability, etc.), and that we are at a pivotal point in understanding the ocean with new sensors, models, and data. Students of earth system science who use this text are now equipped with the most up-to-date and accurate description of the state of the science and the value of our knowledge.”
- Dr. Rick Spinrad, oceanographer and NOAA Administrator, 2021-2025.