College of Science and Technology

Degree Plans and Semester-by-Semester Guides

Office of the Dean - Hattiesburg
David Hayhurst, Dean
Douglas Masterson, Associate Dean
Mohamed O. Elasri, Research and Graduate Affairs
Jeffrey Evans, Preprofessional Advisor
Dana Berry, Assistant to the Dean for Academic Advisement and Records
Pam Posey, Assistant to the Dean for Finance
Fran Flexter, Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
Andre Heath, Assistant to the Dean for Recruitment, Retention and Strategic Initiatives
Kevin Sellers, College Technology Officer
Joyce Bennett, Administrative Assistant/Academic Support
Tara Burcham, Public Relations
Diana Lovejoy, Proposal Development
L. Machell Haynes, Preprofessional Assistant/Development Coordinator/Scholarship Coordinator
118 College Drive, Box 5165
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4883

Office of the Dean - Long Beach
Jennifer Walker, Associate Dean
Janeal McKee, Student Service Coordinator
Jensa Besse, Student Service Coordinator
Jennifer Jones, Office Manager
730 East Beach Boulevard
Long Beach, MS 39560
228.865.4507

The College of Science and Technology provides training in all of the classical fields of science, several contemporary multidisciplinary areas and “career-oriented” technology degree programs.

The College of Science and Technology is organized into four schools, eight departments and the Center for Science and Mathematics Education. The School of Computing includes programs in computer science, computer engineering technology, electronics engineering technology and information technology. The School of Construction includes programs in architectural engineering technology, construction engineering technology, industrial engineering technology and interior design. The School of Criminal Justice includes programs in criminal justice and forensic science. The School of Polymers and High Performance Materials offers undergraduate programs of study in polymer science and polymer engineering. Other departments within the College include Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Coastal Sciences, Geography and Geology, Human Capital Development, Marine Science, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy.

Preprofessional programs are offered by the College of Science and Technology in the following health-related areas: medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, optometry, physician assistant, dental hygiene, health information management, radiologic science and cytotechnology. These programs are administered by the Premedical and Health Professions Office.

Students who matriculate at Southern Miss as a College of Science and Technology major may not subsequently attend another institution of higher learning (e.g., community/junior college, four-year college or university) with the intention of transferring courses taken at these institutions back to their Southern Miss degree program unless they have received prior approval to take such courses by their department chair and college dean. Southern Miss students who take courses at another institution of higher learning without obtaining prior approval of their chair and dean may petition their chair and dean for inclusion of such courses in their Southern Miss degree program, but approval will be granted only if the reasons for not obtaining prior approval are substantial and warrant such an exception to the above-stated policy. In all but the most unusual circumstances, Southern Miss students who take courses at another institution to repeat courses already taken at Southern Miss will not be allowed to count these courses toward the completion of their Southern Miss degree. Southern Miss students majoring in degree programs outside the College of Science and Technology who subsequently request transfer into one of the College of Science and Technology degree programs must meet all of the above conditions or receive prior approval by their new chair and dean for any exceptions.

Teacher Education Programs and Requirements

The College of Science and Technology offers programs leading to licensure at the secondary level:

Completion of a core curriculum of pre-major coursework.
A minimum grade point average of 2.75 on the 44 semester-hour core curriculum of pre-major coursework./
A grade of “C” or better in freshman English Composition I and II
Computer Competency, as defined for the major by each department, is required as part of the secondary education degree programs.
Good academic standing at Southern Miss; a student on probation, probation continued, or suspension status cannot be admitted to teacher education until the transcript reflects good academic standing
A clear background check via www.certifiedbackground.com, the system currently selected by the Southern Miss Professional Education Council. Students who pass the background check process will be issued a background check badge.
All candidates must subscribe to the Tk20 assessment system. Tk20 provides an electronic portfolio and storage system for students as well as tracks, stores, retrieves, and analyzes data for accreditation purposes.
Successful completion of a nationally normed ability/achievement assessment OR a teacher education normed entrance test:

• Nationally Normed Ability/Achievement Assessment:
An ACT composite score of 21 or higher, with no scale score below 18 (all on the same test date and prior to the entrance of college).

             • Teacher Education Normed Test:
                   Acceptable scores on the Core Academic Skills for Educators Test (CORE): Reading Test Code 5712 with a score of at least 156, Writing Test Code 5722 with a score of at least 162, and Mathematics
                   Test Code 5732 with a score of at least 150.

After admission to a professional education program, the following requirements must be met to continue in the program: (1) All candidates must subscribe to the Tk20 Assessment System. Tk20 provides an electronic portfolio and storage system for students as well as tracks, stores, retrieves and analyzes data for accreditation purposes. (2) A grade of C or better in all content courses in the academic major as well as all professional education courses with an overall grade point average of 2.5; (3) fulfillment of major requirements in subject area; (4) completion of professional education courses required by the major; (5) take Praxis II content and PLT tests and have scores reported to Southern Miss (code #1479) prior to graduation.

A minimum of 30 clock hours of clinical experience is required prior to teacher candidacy (15 hours of observation and 15 hours of practicum). Specific programs may require more practicum hours.

Requirements for professional education programs are subject to modification. For current program information, students should contact the University’s Educator Licensure office, 121-A Owings-McQuagge Hall; 601.266.5522.

Mississippi Department of Education licensure requirements supersede the program requirements listed in the Bulletin. Mandated changes in program requirements will be communicated through the candidate’s department.

GPA Graduation Requirements

Students are required to earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 on all courses attempted at Southern Miss. Additionally, although a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required on all courses attempted (transfer and in residence) within the major and minor field of study, specific degree plans may require a higher Southern Miss and/or major GPAs.

Interdisciplinary Minors

In addition to the degree programs offered by the College of Science and Technology, minors are available in the areas noted previously under “Academic Offerings.” A minor in General Science is the only interdisciplinary minor offered by the college.

Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences

Gordan Cannon, Coordinator
118 College Drive, Box 5043
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4221

The Center is composed of scientists with expertise in the disciplines of biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology and molecular genetics. The Center facilitates research in these areas by means of a weekly Journal Club, which reviews the current literature, and the Distinguished Scientists Seminar Series, which brings world-renowned researchers to the Hattiesburg campus. In addition, the Center provides a forum for interaction among graduate and undergraduate students working in the laboratories of the participating faculty. Faculty currently associated with the Center are members of the Department of Biological Sciences or the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Mississippi Polymer Institute

Robert Thompson, Interim Director
601.266.4607

The Mississippi Polymer Institute was authorized by the Mississippi Legislature in 1983. The purpose of the Institute is to conduct research designed to increase the utilization of Mississippi raw materials in polymers and to support the rapidly growing polymer industry in Mississippi. The Institute is an integral part of the College of Science and Technology and the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials.

Institute for Formulation Science

Robert Y. Lochhead, Director
601.266.5890

The Institute for Formulation Science supports and coordinates research in formulation science. Formulation encompasses the arts and sciences of converting useful ingredients into useable materials. Formulation is necessary because pure chemical elements and compounds are rarely useable in their pure (or raw) form and most materials of commerce exist as mixtures or alloys that derive their favorable attributes from precise mixing in exact ratios following specific protocols. Formulation science is growing as a consequence of the continual introduction of new materials and the adaptation of formulations concomitant with health and environmental safety. The Institute serves as a knowledge hub for the physical and chemical principles of formulation especially as they relate to polymeric materials. This purpose is realized by regularly publishing reviews of formulation trends in appropriate source journals for formulators. Academically, the Institute prepares undergraduate and graduate students for careers in formulation. The Institute is an integral part of the College of Science and Technology and functions in concert with the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials.

International Coatings and Formulations Institute (ICFI)

Shelby F. Thames, Executive Director
601.266.4080

The International Coatings and Formulations Institute (ICFI) is an organization dedicated to promoting cooperation between The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Polymers and High Performance Materials and the coatings industry. Created in January 1998, ICFI affords participants a unique opportunity for industrial, academic and governmental partnerships in the field of coatings and formulations innovation and commercialization.

Center for Logistics, Trade and Transportation

Tulio Sulbaran, Director
Chad Miller, Assistant Director for Trade
M.D. Sarder, Assistant Director for Logistics
601.266.4895

Logistics, trade and transportation encompass movement of goods and people (logistics) through the most efficient means (intermodel transportation) to achieve economic development (trade). The creation of the Center for Logistics, Trade and Transportation is the result of an integrated effort of industry, government and The University of Southern Mississippi. The Center activities are directed to provide a competitive advantage to industry and government agencies through multidisciplinary activities including certificates, workshops, seminars, symposiums, conferences, collaborative special studies and applied research projects.

The impact of the activities hosted at the Center for Logisitics, Trade and Transportation are directed to benefit industry and government agencies; therefore, the mission is to respond to the Gulf-region government and industry stakeholders’ needs for the creation and dissemination of practical, cutting-edge interdisciplinary knowledge and technologies to advance logistics, trade and transportation; foster economic development; and promote an integrated freight system within the Americas.

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

Eric Powell, Director
703 East Beach Dr.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228.872.4201

The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) is located in Ocean Springs, Miss. It is the home of a summer field program in the marine sciences that has operated continuously since 1947. The 50-acre site is also home to the Department of Coastal Sciences, the Center for Fisheries Research and Development, the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium. Approximately 200 faculty, technical personnel, support staff and students work at the GCRL.

Center for Fisheries Research and Development

Read Hendon, Director
703 East Beach Dr.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228.818.8804

The Center for Fisheries Research and Development addresses fisheries issues important to Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico region. Focusing on fisheries, habitats and invasive species, fisheries center scientists work closely with marine resource users and managers in conducting research and putting new knowledge and skills to use. The Center’s scientists fill roles as leaders in charting directions for future research strategies and as sources of accurate and timely information needed for resource management plans based on scientific findings.

Marine Education Center

Christopher Snyder, Director
703 East Beach Dr.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228.818.8891

The Marine Education Center is the education and outreach arm of the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and endeavors to enlighten the citizenry to produce a cadre of well informed and knowledgeable stewards of our coastal ecosystems. The Center supports a career based working environment utilizing formal, non-formal, free-choice learning and higher education strategies focusing on the coastal ecosystems of the north-central Gulf of Mexico to promote careers in marine science and foster community involement.

Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center

Jeffrey M. Lotz, Director
103 McIlwain Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228.872.4247

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center is a leader in the development of intensive, low-water use, high bio-security culture of marine species for consumption and enhancing native populations. The nearly 100,000 sq. ft. of research and development capacity provides state of the art facilities for studies and graduate education opportunities.

Center for Science and Mathematics Education

Sherry S. Herron, Director
601.266.4739

Arnold-Anderson, Booth, Daniel, Hendry, Herron, Naquin, Nelson, Peters, Rhinehart, Sirola

The Center for Science and Mathematics Education coordinates all programs in teacher education offered by the College of Science and Technology. Teacher education programs are offered through the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy. Programs in secondary teacher education require the equivalent of a major in an academic discipline and a minor in secondary education. Students interested in science or mathematics teaching licensure at the secondary level are referred to the department offering the academic discipline of their choice. Students transferring from community and junior colleges are advised to follow the core requirements outlined for the College of Science and Technology.

Objectives

The objectives of the Center for Science and Mathematics Education are (1) to coordinate all programs in teacher education offered by the College of Science and Technology; (2) to provide, in cooperation with the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education, a curriculum in the sciences and science methods for prospective elementary school teachers; (3) to provide the Science and Mathematics Educations (SME) methods course and student-teaching courses for prospective secondary teachers; (4) to provide programs leading to advanced degrees in science education; (5) to work with public schools in the development of curricula, professional development, science outreach and other activities designed to improve science instruction at all public school levels; and (6) to utilize educational technology as an effective delivery tool for professional development.

Curriculum and Programs

The Center for Science and Mathematics Education offers elementary and secondary science teaching courses designated in the catalog as Science and Mathematics Education (SME).

Graduate programs offered by the Center for Science and Mathematics Education are described in the Graduate Bulletin.