Abstract: This paper reviews the history of the scientific ocean drilling programs over the past 40 years and reports selected important scientific achievements obtained by the programs. Using the new multiple-platform approach to scientific ocean drilling and a new process-oriented approach to research, the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) will focus on three broad scientific themes: The deep biosphere and the subseafloor ocean; Environmental change, processes and effects; Solid earth cycles and geodynamics....

Key words: deep sea drilling program, ocean drilling program, integrated ocean drilling program, earth system science