Uncrewed Maritime Systems (UMS) Certificate Programs

• MAR 431: Basic Marine Instrumentation (3 hours): This course offers an in-depth exploration of the fundamental principles behind sophisticated oceanographic sensors. You'll get hands-on experience with instruments that measure pressure, temperature, conductivity, sound speed, currents, and ocean depth. Learn about a variety of tools, from CTD instruments and optical sensors to current meters, sonars, and digital cameras. You'll also gain insights into basic electronics, analog-to-digital conversion, sensor deployment, and maintenance. Prepare to be immersed in the technical marvels of oceanography!
• MAR 434: Operating Instrumentation in Marine Environments (3 hours): This course focuses on the operation of uncrewed maritime systems, exploring ocean physical structures, acoustics, and currents. Delve into topics like underwater communication, power supply, corrosion, and biofouling. Learn about the impact of geographical position, depth, and seasonal variations. From seafloor geology to collision hazards and river outflows, this course prepares you for the complexities of marine instrumentation in diverse environments.
• MAR 433: Marine Autonomous Vehicles (3 hours): This course emphasizes the selection, configuration, deployment, and recovery of various autonomous vehicles. Explore a wide range of platforms, from aerial and surface systems to underwater vehicles. Gain knowledge about GPS positioning, satellite communications, and power systems. Learn the intricacies of buoyancy, ballasting, and non-satellite navigation. With a comprehensive overview of uncrewed systems, this course equips you with the skills to excel in the field of marine autonomy.
• MAR 433L: Marine Autonomous Vehicles Lab (1 hour): This lab complements lecture material from other courses, offering practical exercises in soldering, circuit building, and Arduino programming. Engage in the construction and testing of a SeaGlide buoyancy glider, from assembly to racing. Program missions for uncrewed surface vehicles and observe real-world glider disassembly. This lab provides invaluable practical experience in density, buoyancy, and ballasting, central to the operation of uncrewed maritime systems.

What is covered in the Uncrewed Maritime Systems (UMS) Tier 1 Program?
The Tier 1 Program consists of four courses totaling 10 credit hours.

What is covered in the Uncrewed Maritime Systems (UMS) Tier 2 Program?
The Tier 2 Program consists of four courses totaling 12 credit hours.

When are the UMS Certificate Programs offered?

• Tier 1 is offered during a five-week period in the spring (mid-March to mid-April).
• Tier 1 or Tier 2 is offered during a five-week period in the fall (mid-October to mid-November). 
• During the five-week period, classes are held every weekday, seven hours per day.  No classes are held on USM-recognized Holidays.  The only USM-recognized holiday currently pertinent to the UMS Programs is Good Friday.

Where are the Programs taught?

Tier 1 is taught at the Marine Research Center at the Port of Gulfport. Tier 2 has been taught at USM’s Oceanographic Support Facility, building 1029 at Stennis Space Center.

Can the courses be taken online?
No and unlikely to happen due to hands-on work.

Who teaches the courses?
Instructors are Kevin Martin and Carl Szczechowski.

• Kevin is a Senior Marine Instrumentation Specialist and is the Ocean Observing Manager for USM’s Division of Marine Science. 
• Carl is the Coordinator for USM’s Uncrewed Maritime Systems (UMS) Certificate Programs.  

What are the demographics for students who have enrolled in the past?
Educational levels range from undergraduates and folks with community college backgrounds up to PhD recipients. Ages have ranged from 19 to 60 years of age.  

Students have had degrees and work experience in oceanography, meteorology, hydrography, geology, biology, chemistry, ocean acoustics, fisheries science, mechanical and industrial engineering, computer science, and electrical/electronics technology,   

Most students have full time jobs with the Navy (civilian and uniformed), NOAA, Army Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, other federal agencies, or private industry.

Does it cost more for students who are not residents of Mississippi?
Non-residents pay more for tuition and university fees than residents of Mississippi.

Do some applicants receive special consideration in terms of tuition and university fees?
Yes. Department of Defense (DoD) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) employees sponsored by their agency, regardless of state of residency, pay tuition and university fees as if they are Mississippi residents.  An SF-182 must be provided to the Uncrewed Maritime Systems Certificate Program Coordinator.

DoD and NOAA contractor employees can submit a letter from their employer to the USM Registrar.  The letter should be on company letterhead, verifying employment of the applicant and stating that the employee works on a DoD or NOAA contract.  The employee should be receiving some financial support from the employer.

How much are the tuition and university fees?
Before using any of the on-line tuition/fees tables provided by USM, please review the following:

• MS resident or non-resident?  Use the applicable category.
• Undergraduate or graduate rate?  The UMS Program courses are at the undergraduate level.
• Academic year?  The academic year begins in the fall of one year and is followed by the spring in the next year.  For example, the 2024-2025 academic year starts with the 2024 fall semester and is followed by the 2025 spring semester.
• Charged per credit hour?  Yes. For undergraduates, tuition and university fees are charged per credit hour up to twelve credit hours.  Tier 1 totals 10 credit hours and Tier 2 totals 12 credit hours so UMS Programs are charged per credit hour. 

Calculation of total tuition and university fees: Go to General Tuition Fees and click on the appropriate options as described above.  

Are there any other fees in addition to tuition and university fees? 
For both Tier 1 and Tier 2, in addition to tuition and university fees, there is a program fee of $1000 which covers instructional and lab expenses. 

Financial aid available? 
The University of Southern Mississippi does not provide financial aid for students in certificate programs.

What about funding through the GI Bill? 
At least one student in the past used the GI Bill to pay for expenses. Start by going to Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families's website and apply for a UMS Program.

Are there any prerequisites for students interested in the Tier 1 Program? 
A high school diploma or GED is required for the Tier 1 Program.   

Are there any prerequisites for students interested in the Tier 2 Program? 
Students applying for the Tier 2 Program must have successfully completed the Tier 1 Program. 

Can current USM students apply?
Yes, but it may not be possible to take other USM full-semester in-class courses in the semester that you sign up for the UMS courses. 

We have had a student that was able to successfully complete two USM on-line courses in the same semester that she took our UMS courses. 

How does one apply for the UMS Programs? 
The application process is to be completed online.  When the application app becomes operational for a given offering, a link to the app can be found in our page. 

Early in the online application process a temporary PIN will be emailed to you. That email contains some verbiage about activating your account; ignore that verbiage and just use the PIN provided. 

What is the application deadline? 
The applications deadline is typically set for a date less than one month before classes start. Tuition and fees are not due at the time of application but are collected later. 

Is a transcript required for application? 
Yes.  Applicants are required to submit to the USM Office of Admissions, an official transcript from their most recently attended school.  Applicants are urged to submit documentation by the application deadline.  

Transcripts may be submitted by using a service such as Escrip-Safe or Parchment and choosing USM Admissions.  Official transcripts can also be mailed from the applicant’s most recently attended school to: 

University of Southern Mississippi 
Office of Admissions 
118 College Drive, Box 5166 
Hattiesburg, MS  39406-0001 

Is other documentation required for application? 
Yes.  Also required are immunization records showing two MMR dates or documentation of a positive titer test.  Immunization records can be obtained from a state Health Department.  Stennis Space Center (SSC) employees can contact the SSC Clinic. 

A copy of the immunization records can be sent to admissionsFREEMississippi, faxed to 601-2665148, or mailed to the Office of Admissions address listed earlier. 

Do you have to be a US citizen to enroll? 
Yes, an applicant must be a US citizen. This may change in the near future. 

Do the UMS Programs have corporate partners? 

Although we have good relationships with many companies, and have personnel provide guest presentations or facility tours, the UMS Programs do not have any formal partnerships with any companies. 

We do have a formal educational relationship with the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC) and guarantee a number of seats to them.   

We also receive support from NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center (NDBC). 

Have UMS Program alumni moved on to new positions? 

The UMS Programs do not systematically keep tabs on alumni. At least two alumni subsequently enrolled in USM's Ocean Engineering program. One alumnus is now working for Lynker after years with NOAA. Another alumnus is now working for Ocean Aero after years with the Navy.