本项目于2012年正式启动，纳入该项目的博士生需要在两校同时注册，并在对方学校进行至少三个学期的学习或科研活动（免缴学费），在完成两校博士学位要求的前提下，可以同时获得厦门大学与特拉华大学授予的博士学位。
A dual PhD degree program in oceanography is offered between Xiamen University (XMU) and the University of Delaware (UD), which allows students from either university to earn a doctoral degree from both institutions. The program is based on the acceptance of equivalent courses taken at either university and started to recruit students in September 2012. Students that are registered in the dual degree program will only be responsible for the tuition payments of their home university, and they must meet all credit or residency requirements of both institutions to obtain dual degree diplomas.