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.
The 2009 summer terms run May 18-29, June 1-26, June 29 - July 24, and July 27 – August th. 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.
This course allows upper level 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. Four semester hours credit.
Research Study Program - Lecture
Students enrolled in the Research Study Program meet as a group
once per week to discuss their ongoing research activities, problem
solve, present findings and review pertinent literature. This
course will engage students in a variety of subject matters being
researched at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. One semester hour credit.
*Students must take these two courses jointly.
For more information about our research program, click here.
Got Questions?
Sam Clardy or Chris Snyder
Co-directors
GCRL 2009 Summer Field Program
228.818.8890 samuel.clardy@usm.edu
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, sun 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, La., and Mobile, Ala., are a two-hour drive from GCRL. The Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA in Ocean Springs allows GCRL students to use the YMCA facilities for free by showing student ID.
Summers can be warm on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and students should be prepared to protect themselves from intense sunshine. Bring a good sunblock.
CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON LABORATORY GROUNDS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
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 M/V Hermes.
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.
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 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 Deadline:
Applications for Summer 2009 classes are accepted beginning the first week of January 2009. To apply submit all paperwork and a non-refundable $50.00 application fee by May 1, 2009, 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.
PLEASE NOTE: Students requesting transcripts for classes taken at Southern Miss, Hattiesburg, Southern Miss on the Coast or GCRL Summer Field Program after 2001
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.
