Marine Science (Biological Oceanography), M.S.

Master of Science Programs

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission and academic requirements for all graduate programs as set forth in this Bulletin, regular admission to the master’s program in marine science requires successful completion of the Graduate Record Examination (all sections) and a high grade point average for the last two years of undergraduate study. Successful applicants have highly competitive scores and have grade point averages of 3.0 or above. Also required are three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study. A letter of intent should also be addressed to the department chair expressing personal academic, research, and career goals. This letter is used in two ways in the admission process. It provides a sample of the applicant’s writing competency and communication skills, and provides information concerning the compatibility of the applicant’s interests with departmental research interests. A minimum score of 84 is required on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants whose native language is not English. Applicants who are not eligible for regular admission may be considered for conditional admission. Students admitted conditionally must maintain a 3.0 GPA for the first nine (9) hours of coursework numbered 500 and above or on all coursework taken while completing this nine (9) hour requirement. If this requirement is not met, the student is not allowed to remain in the program. Upon recommendation by the department chair and approval by the dean, the student admitted conditionally may have his or her admission status changed to “regular admission.” For students wishing to be considered for graduate assistantships for the academic year beginning in the fall semester, application materials should be received no later than March 1.

Plan of Study. Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study Form to the Graduate School by the end of the first semester they are enrolled.

Integrity Assurance Program (IAP)

All faculty holding Regular or Associate graduate faculty status must complete IAP training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments. All graduate students must complete the training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The policy and training information can be found on the following website: http://www.usm.edu/research/research-and-scholarly-integrity-assurance-program

Degree Requirements for Master of Science in Marine Science

A total of 34 hours of graduate level courses (18 hours of 600 level or higher) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 must be completed in order to fulfill the master of science degree requirements. All entering graduate students must complete the four core courses and their associated laboratory courses, generally by the end of their first year in residence. Students advance to candidacy for the M.S. degree by completing all the core courses and laboratories with a grade of B or better, successfully passing the department qualifying examination (administered after the core courses are completed), and completing a thesis prospectus. A graduate student can accumulate no more than two Cs. Other program course requirements include six (6) hours of Thesis (698) and at least two (2) hours of Seminar in Marine Science and passing a comprehensive exam. The required courses account for 24 of the total 34 hours; the remaining 10 hours (courses numbered 600 and above) must be chosen by the student (after consultation with the student’s adviser) from a list of elective courses approved by the department. In addition to the degree program requirements described in this Bulletin, all students in the master of science degree program must accumulate at least ten (10) days of appropriate field experience in order to successfully complete the degree program. Contact the department chair for information on appropriate types of field experience. More information on marine science degree requirements and additional course listings can be obtained by writing to the department chair. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to graduate.

Continuous Enrollment Requirement: Students must meet the requirement specified in the front section of this Bulletin.