College of Science and Technology

Degree Plans and Semester-by-Semester Guides

Office of the Dean
Patricia Biesiot, Interim Dean
Dale Ledford, Associate Dean
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 Strategic Initiatives/AGEM Site Coordinator
Kevin Sellers, Technology Officer
Joyce Bennett, Administrative Assistant/Academic Support
Tara Burcham, Public Relations and Alternate Delivery Coordinator
Diana Lovejoy, Proposal Development
L. Machell Haynes, Administrative Assistant
118 College Drive, Box 5165
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4883

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, 8 departments and numerous centers or institutes, including the Center for Science and Mathematrics 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 an undergraduate program of study in polymer science. Other departments within the College include Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Coastal Sciences, Economic and Workforce Development, Geography and Geology, 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.

Before applying for admission to a professional education program, the following requirements must be met: (1) an ACT composite score of 21 or higher, with no scale score below 18, or an SAT of 860 (verbal and quantitative) upon entrance into college or acceptable scores on the Praxis I subscales computerized PPST: Reading (172), Writing (173) and Mathematics (172); (2) a minimum grade point average on the 44-semester-hour general education core curriculum of 2.65; (3) a C or better in freshman English composition (ENG 101 and ENG 102 ); (4) successful completion of the Basic Technology Literacy Exam (BTLE) or IC3 certification; (5) 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; (6) good academic standing at Southern Miss. A student on probation, probation continued or suspension status will not be admitted to teacher education until the transcript reflects good academic standing; and (7) a clear background check via the system selected by the Southern Miss Professional Education Council.

Each Southern Miss student who applies for admission to a teacher education program must undergo a background check when applying for the Gold Card. Students who pass the background checking process will be issued a background check badge and considered eligible for admission to teacher education pending satisfaction of other admission requirements. Teacher candidates issued Gold Cards prior to fall 2009 and currently enrolled in Southern Miss teacher education programs, as well as Southern Miss students enrolled in teacher education field or clinical experiences that do not require a Gold Card, must also undergo a background check as part of the university policy.

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 2.50; (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-B 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 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

Bryan Brister, 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 functions as an integral component of 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. 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 encompasses 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 master’s degrees, 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.

Innovation for Construction and Engineering Enhancement (ICEE) Center

Tulio Sulbaran, Director
601.266.6419

The Innovation for Construction and Engineering Enhancement (ICEE) Center is a multidisciplinary industrial, educational and research hub housed at The University of Southern Mississippi within the School of Construction. The mission of ICEE is twofold:

Develop, implement and assess the latest educational technology for the architecture/engineering/construction community;
Enhance the economic development of the construction industry through the use of the latest technologies and management tools

Individuals with background and/or interest in education, information technology or architecture/engineering/construction are encouraged to contact the Center to explore possible opportunities.

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

Jeffrey M. Lotz, 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 Gulf Coast Geospatial 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

J. Read Hendon, Director
703 East Beach Dr.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228.872.4218

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.

Center for Science and Mathematics Education

Sherry S. Herron, Director
601.266.4739

Arnold-Anderson, Booth, Halverson, 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.