Option I
This option involves a combination of two practical and applied courses and the successful completion of the Field Program in Hydrographic Science.

Courses for completion of Option I are:

HYD 608 (3 hrs) Practical Hydrographic Science
Nautical charting surveys, surveys for coastal zone management, offshore industrial surveys, instrumentation, specifications, products, route following, data telemetry links, and digital signal processing.

HYD 609 (1 hr) Nautical Science
Rules of the road, conventional aids to navigation, warnings, navigation publications, methods of communicating at sea, compasses, safety, safe practice, ropes and wires, ship behavior, anchoring, pilotage, and small boats.

HYD 610 (2 hrs) Hydrographic Science Field Project
This course involves 'hands on' experience in planning, conducting, analyzing and preparing a written report for a Hydrographic Science Project conducted in the field.

Option II
This option involves a more theoretical and classroom approach to completing the Hydrographic Science program degree requirements. Because this option is not available for students seeking certification (Category A), we provide only a brief explanation here. It is included to allow a more complete understanding of the USM academic program.

Students in Option II will be required to complete two of the elective courses. In addition, students will be required to conduct a "Capstone Review Project" on a suitable topic in Hydrographic Science. The student in consultation with the student's advisory committee will choose the topic for this Capstone Review.

Courses for completion of Option II are:

HYD xxx or MAR xxx (3 hrs) Choice of second elective course.

HYD 696 (3 hrs) Capstone Review
The Capstone Review is an in-depth scientific literature-based research paper that is similar in nature to a Thesis, but does not involve original research. Rather, the student will consult with his or her advisor and determine a suitable topic in the field of Hydrographic Science. After the advisor and the other members of the student's advisory committee have approved the topic, the student will proceed with the Capstone Review project. The final Capstone Review paper will be an in-depth study of the current state of knowledge for a particular Hydrographic Science topic which may include the student's views as well as a synthesis of the community perspective. The grades for this course will be awarded on a pass or fail (P/F) basis.