Summer Field Program 2010

Experience the Marine Biology of the Gulf of Mexico.

Since 1947 the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory has fostered opportunities in education and research for students. The GCRL's 50-acre site adjacent to the Mississippi Sound includes teaching and experimental laboratories, aquaculture facilities, a research museum and a marine sciences library.

Course Calendar

The 2010 summer terms run May 17-28, May 31 - June 25, June 30 - July 28, and August 2-13. GCRL’s four term summer program enables students to earn up to 18 semester hours of credit. A student may enroll in only one course each term. Students should not take classes at other campuses while taking field courses at GCRL.

Summer Field Program on Facebook

Check out GCRL's Summer Field Program on Facebook.

Student Research Opportunities

Student research opportunities are available in both 1st and 2nd terms.

Maymester, May 17 - 28

1st Term, May 31 - June 25

2nd Term, June 30 - July 28

3rd Term, August 2 - August 13

Research Study Program

The Research Study Program allows upper level undergraduate students an opportunity to gain valuable experience in designing a research project, sampling, analyzing data, and presenting research findings. Research options encompass a broad spectrum of disciplines in coastal sciences that include: marine aquaculture, marine biodiversity, marine biomedicine, marine ecology, marine education, marine fisheries, marine mycology, marine pathology and marine toxicology. This course could easily form the basis of a Senior or Honors Project. The Research Study Program is available in both 1st and 2nd terms.

Prerequisites: four semesters of biology or permission of instructor. Special Topics: Research; COA 492. One to six hours credit is available and is assigned by the instructor.

Questions?

Sam Clardy
Coordinator, GCRL 2010 Summer Field Program
228.818.8890
samuel.clardy@usm.edu

For Admissions:
Margaret Firth
228.818.8890
margaret.firth@usm.edu

Accommodations

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory's air-conditioned dormitory houses two students per room. Suites consist of four rooms and a common bathroom facility. Requests for housing are filled as received. Married couples must make their own arrangements for off-campus housing. The rooms have Internet/network T1 line access.

The dining hall serves three meals daily. Commuting students may purchase meals at a modest cost. Students should bring linens, towels, and clothing suitable for field work, such as shorts, bathing suits, hat, long-sleeved shirt and light-weight pants, washable athletic shoes, polarized sunglasses as well as a good sunblock. Laundry facilities are available on-campus.

Dormitory stays typically provide excellent opportunities to meet other students, as well as to engage in water sports, fishing, golf, tennis, biking, weight lifting, aerobics, and hiking that form some of the many summer pastimes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The community of Ocean Springs, as well as the neighboring cities of Biloxi, Gulfport, Gautier, and Pascagoula provide ample opportunities for shopping, banking, dining, and recreation. New Orleans is less than two hours away by care. Mobile, Alabama is about an hour drive.

Summers are hot on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and students should be prepared to protect themselves from intense sunshine. Bring a good sunblock, hat, and sunglasses.

CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON LABORATORY GROUNDS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Research Vessels

Students typically participate in trips each week aboard oceanographic and fisheries research vessels in the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory fleet, including the 97-foot R/V Tommy Munro, the 55-foot R/V Tom McIlwain and the 38-foot R/V Hermes.

Academic Credit

GCRL summer courses are offered by The University of Southern Mississippi and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. All courses are offered through the Department of Coastal Sciences. Credits earned in the Southern Miss GCRL Summer Field Program are transferred to students’ home institutions upon course completion. Course credit hours reflect extent of lecture and laboratory study time as shown in course descriptions. Marine Biology, Barrier Island Ecology and Oceanography are for undergraduate credit only. All other courses may be taken for undergraduate or graduate credit. For graduate credit, courses include additional research and writing components.

Admissions

Admissions Deadline

Applications for Summer 2010 classes are accepted beginning the first week of January 2010. To apply submit all paperwork and a non-refundable $35.00 application fee by May 1, 2010, to:

Office of Student Services
Department of Coastal Sciences
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Attn: Margaret Firth
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228.818.8890
margaret.firth@usm.edu

Application Requirements

Completed “Application for Admission” form signed by either adviser or department head or on-campus affiliate coordinator. Class schedules and application forms are available at www.usm.edu/gcrl/summer_field.
$35.00 non-refundable application fee
Official copy of transcript
Completed immunization form

Fees and Costs

Tuition

Undergraduate: $213 per semester hour
Graduate: $284 per semester hour

Room and Board

1st and 2nd Terms: $1040 per term
Maymester and 3rd Term: $480 per term

Lab Fee: $60 per course

Field Fees: $100 - $400 (see course description for field fees)

Books, supplies, etc.: Approximately $75 - $200, depending on course

Students with Disabilities

If a student has a disability that qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act and requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office for Disability Accommodations for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Southern Station Box 8586; Telephone/voice: (601) 266-5024; Telephone/TDD: (601) 266-6837; Fax: (601) 266-6035.

Transcript Requests

PLEASE NOTE: Students requesting transcripts for classes taken at Southern Miss, Hattiesburg, Southern Miss on the Coast or GCRL Summer Field Program after 2001please go to http://www.usm.edu/registrar/records/transcript_processing/index.php.

Transcripts for Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Summer Field Program coursework prior to Summer 2002 are obtained by submitting a request in writing to:

Office of Student Services
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

To ensure that your transcripts reach the proper destination, we ask that you provide us with complete mailing addresses for the transcript recipients.

We accept transcript requests by Fax - (228) 872-4204 or US mail. Please sign your request.