Southern Miss Offers One of the Nation’s Most Recognized Hydrography Programs
Wed, 07/22/2026 - 09:46am | By: Morgan Smith
The University of Southern Mississippi is one of only two destinations in the United States that trains Category A hydrographers at an internationally recognized level through the School of Ocean Science and Engineering’s hydrographic science (hydrography) program.
Recently, the International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers recertified Southern Miss hydrography programs at both the Category A graduate level and Category B undergraduate level.
The certification validates the programs’ curriculum, training methods and learning outcomes and confirms that graduates are prepared for careers in the global hydrography profession.
“The IBSC certification confirms that Southern Miss hydrographic science curricula in both the undergraduate Oceanography and Ocean Mapping program and graduate Marine Science (Hydrography) program meet internationally recognized competency standards,” said Dr. Johnson Oguntuase, assistant professor of hydrographic science in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering.
Hydrography is the science of mapping and measuring bodies of water to support safe navigation, coastal management and marine operations. Through applied fieldwork, industry-standard technologies and international collaboration, Southern Miss students gain professional-level experience while contributing to projects with direct public impact.
That training was recently demonstrated when students helped identify a Danger to Navigation (DTON), a physical hazard that could pose a risk to ocean vessels if not adequately represented on existing Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs), that was later incorporated into an official NOAA nautical chart used by mariners.
“It’s fundamentally what hydrographers do,” said Ryan Beets, program coordinator and instructor of hydrographic science in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering. “We find hazards to navigation, alert the charting authority and help ensure mariners can safely avoid them. The students mobilized a survey vessel on a Monday, launched the boat and collected data on Tuesday, and by Wednesday had the data processed and turned over to NOAA.”
The program also continues to strengthen its global reach through partnerships with organizations including the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency.
“To date, Southern Miss has trained navy officers and civilian professionals from approximately 40 countries around the world,” Oguntuase said. “These partnerships create opportunities for students to work internationally, collaborate with global experts and provide services to diverse communities worldwide.”
Learn more about the School of Ocean Science and Engineering and its internationally recognized hydrography programs.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Southern Mississippi is home to 13 schools, two ROTC units,
and more than 100 academic programs. Guided by the University’s mission, we educate
students, lead the state and nation in research and the creative arts, and advance
knowledge across the humanities, social sciences, and STEM. Through innovative research
and nationally recognized student success, we provide pathways to understanding the
past, solving today's challenges, and imagining the possibilities of tomorrow.