School of Ocean Science and Technology

Department of Coastal Sciences

Joe Grifitt, Interim Chair
703 East Beach Dr.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228.872.4294

More than 20 upper-level, undergraduate courses in coastal sciences (COA) are offered at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, mainly during the summer. The Department of Coastal Sciences offers specialized courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels focused on research in the areas of marine biology, oceanography, marine mammals, elasmobranch biology, remote sensing/GIS, coastal zones applications, aquaculture, coastal and marine fisheries, coastal geology, invertebrate zoology and biology, coastal ecology, parasitology, estuarine chemistry, toxicology, botany, applied molecular techniques, science education, and biodiversity and systematics. The Department of Coastal Sciences cooperates with the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Geology, Marine Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, and Science and Mathematics Education to provide students with state-of-the-art research and educational opportunities.

Undergraduates interested in preparing for graduate study in coastal sciences should pursue a bachelor’s degree program in their department of choice, developing a strong background in biology, chemistry, geology, physics and mathematics through calculus. Students interested in the marine biology degree in the Department of Biological Sciences should review that section of this Bulletin.

Summer Field Program at GCRL

Sam Clardy, Associate Coordinator
Marine Education Center
703 East Beach Dr.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228.818.8885

The Department of Coastal Sciences offers a selection of accelerated, field-oriented undergraduate and graduate courses during the summer at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) campus. For summer courses, see this Bulletin. Where appropriate, courses are also cross-listed by biological sciences, chemistry and biochemistry, geology, marine sciences and science education. Summer courses are available for undergraduate or graduate credit. Graduate students may also conduct thesis, dissertation and directed research at GCRL.

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL), located in Ocean Springs, has offered summer courses in the marine sciences since 1947. GCRL is a campus of 50 acres that is home to the Department of Coastal Sciences, the Center for Fisheries Research and Development and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium. Nearly 200 faculty, technical and support personnel, and students work on this campus.

Admission to the Summer Field Program

Due to space limitations for the field-oriented courses, students need to apply early and directly to the GCRL for admission to the accelerated summer courses. Contact the Summer Field Program (gcrlsfp@usm.edu OR 228.818.8852) for application materials. The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory is affiliated with 65 colleges and universities whose students participate in the summer academic program. An application and information about the Summer Field Program is available on the Web at gcrl.usm.edu.

Course Loads

The Summer Field Program courses are offered during one two-week term and two five-week terms. Because courses are taught at an accelerated pace (i.e., an entire semester of lecture and laboratory is taught in two or five weeks), a student is allowed to enroll in only one course each term. Students are able to earn up to 15 credit hours during the summer. Classes meet each weekday with particular times scheduled for field trips, classroom instruction and laboratory work.

Room and Board

Room and board is available for students selecting on-campus housing, which includes internet access, laundry, facilities and three daily meals in the GCRLdining hall.

Fees

	Undergraduate Application Fee (non USM students)	$40
	Graduate Application Fee (non USM students)	$60
	Undergraduate Tuition	current USM rate
	Graduate Tuition	current USM rate

Lab Fee: $60 on select courses
Field fees: $200.00-$1000.00 (depending on course)
Books, supplies, etc.: $75.00-$200.00 (approximate depending on course)

Students pay fees directly to The University of Southern Mississippi. Fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Calendar

Application Deadline

March 31

A student may enroll in only one course each term. Students should not take classes at other campuses while taking field courses at GCRL. Please refer to the website (gcrl.usm.edu) for the current program calendar and course offerings.

Department of Marine Science

William (Monty) Graham, Chair
1020 Balch Boulevard
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-1020
228.688.3177

Asper, Buijsman, Church, Graham, Greenhow, Hayes, Howden, Milroy, Nechaev, Pilarczyk, Redalje, Shiller, van Norden, Wallace, Wells, Wiesenburg, Wiggert

The Bachelor of Science in marine science offered at the Gulf Park campus educates students in the multidisciplinary field of marine science and provides a basic understanding of the fundamental biological, chemical, geological, and physical interactions within the larger context of ocean dynamics. The program also prepares students for the post-graduate studies in biological, chemical, geological and physical oceanography at The University of Southern Mississippi or other institutions of higher learning. The program is based on required and elective courses that are broadly applicable across multiple scientific disciplines, but specific to the marine environment. Because of this multi-disciplinary approach, our marine science students are better prepared for any number of scientific and technical career opportunities that recruit early-career marine and/or physical scientists. Within the Marine Science plan of study, students may use electives to specialize in a sub-discipline of Marine Science (biological oceanography, chemical oceanography, geological oceanography, physical oceanography, or hydrography) and simultaneoudly earn a minor or speciality emphasis.

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

William (Monty) Graham, Interim 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 Gulf Studies

The Center for Gulf Studies located within the Department of Marine Science at the Stennis Space Center, serves as a focal point for new, long-term research and socioeconomic initiatives along the northern Gulf of Mexico. The Center staff seek sound, comprehensive science and technology-based understanding of chronic and acute stressors, both anthropogenic and natural, on the dynamic and productive waters and habitats of the norther Gulf of Mexico and seek to facilitate sustainable use of the Gulf’s important resources. The Center is externally funded through research projects from state and federal agencies.

Hydrographic Science Research Center

The Hydrographic Science Research Center, located within the Department of Marine Science at Stennis Space Center, is the research compliment to the academic program in hydrographic science. Under the sponsorship of various government and commercial activities, its externally funded research has assess emerging trends in the science of hydrography, developed innovative techniques and technologies capturing these trends, and implemented these techniques and technologies into hydrographic operations.