Hydrographic Science, 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 hydrographic 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 80 is required on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a minimum score of 6.5 is required on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for applicants whose native language is not English. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree that includes courses in single variable calculus, multi-variable calulus and physics. A course in differential equations is recommended. Applicants should also be familiar with linear algebra, statistics, and MATLAB programming. 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. The Plan of Study Forms are available at www.usm.edu/graduateschool/planofstudy.php - click on the “Plans of Study” link.

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 Hydrographic Science

The M.S. degree in Hydrographic Science is a nonthesis degree program. A total of 36 semester hours of graduate level courses (18 hours of 600 level or higher) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 must be completed to fulfill the Master of Science in Hydrographic Science degree requirements. Students must also pass a comprehensive examination. A graduate student can accumulate no more than two Cs. A 3.0 GPA is required to graduate.

Students admitted to the M.S. in hydrographic science degree program are required to complete a set of core courses. There are a total of 30 semester hours of required core coursework. Each degree-seeking student must take at least one three-hour elective course. All students admitted to the M.S. degree program in Hydrographic Science must choose from one of two options at the time they are admitted to the program. Successful completion of either Option I or Option II, in addition to passing all the required and elective courses, will constitute the completion of degree requirements. Option I is designed for those students who wish to complete a more practical field-oriented degree program and is recognized by the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and the International Cartographic Association (ICA) to meet their standards for a Category A academic program. Option II is designed for students who wish to complete a more theoretical and classroom-oriented program and involves completion of a Capstone Review project, usually consisting of, but not limited to, an extended literature review of an appropriate hydrographic science topic.

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