| DEPARTMENT
OF MARINE SCIENCES
Chair: Shipp
Professors: Crozier, Heck, Shipp
Associate Professors: Aronson, Cowan, Kiene
Assistant Professors: Graham, Valentine
MASTER
OF SCIENCE (M.S.) DEGREE
The Master of Science (M.S.) Program in marine sciences is designed
to train and prepare superior students for a career in this field.
The marine sciences program offers courses and opportunities for research
in four main areas: biological, chemical, physical, and geological
oceanography. Each M.S. student receives formal training in at least
three of these disciplines while concentrating in a specific research
area. Thus, the program is structured to develop the capacity for
productive and innovative research, founded on a solid background
of broad scientific knowledge. The requirements and procedures that
follow are specifically for the Department of Marine Sciences. However,
the general rules and policies of the Graduate School also apply.
MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
Application before March 1 is encouraged; beginning April 1, the admission
committee will make initial recommendations about applicants for the
following Fall class, with formal letters sent to applicants by the
end of April. Although students are normally admitted in the Fall
Semester, depending on availability of space and funding, applications
may be approved to the general admissions requirements of the Graduate
School, minimal requirements for admission in full standing to the
Marine Sciences M.S. Program are:
- A baccalaureate degree in marine
sciences or in a discipline related to marine sciences (e.g., biology,
chemistry, geology, physics) from an accredited four year college
or university.
- An undergraduate minimum grade-point
average of 3.0 overall (4.0 point system).
- A minimum score of 1100 combined
on the verbal and quantitative subtests of the Graduate Record Exam
(GRE).
The applicant will be required to submit:
- A completed application including a statement indicating
the student’s interests and professional goals.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions
attended.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Official scores from the Graduate Record Exam (General
Test).
Assessment of credentials will be supple-mented by evaluation of
letters of recommendation and the educational background of the student.
Foreign applicants will be required to pass the TOEFL exam with a
score of 525 or greater.
Conditional admission may be granted upon recommendation of the departmental
admissions committee. Full standing can be attained after conditional
admission by satisfactorily completing (with a grade of no lower than
“B”) nine (9) semester hours of course work in marine sciences to
USA.
To insure compatibility between the student’s research interests
and the faculty expertise in the Marine Sciences Department, particular
attention will be given to the statements of research interests. A
faculty member will be asked to act as a “sponsor” for the applicant
based on the statement of interest and, if necessary, a personal interview.
Through this process the student’s interests will be matched to the
expertise available within the faculty. Moreover, the sponsor also
may be able to offer the student financial support if a departmental
stipend is not available. Students whose interests do not correspond
to those of a faculty member and/or have not identified a faculty
willing to serve as a sponsor, will not be admitted into the M.S.
degree program in marine sciences.
Application forms for admission to the program and for fellowships
(see below) are obtained by writing to: Chair, Department of Marine
Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688-0002.
FELLOWSHIPS
AND ASSISTANTSHIPS
The Department of Marine Sciences offers at-large fellowships to M.S.
students annually on a competitive basis. In addition, there are a
variable number of research assistantships that are sponsored by externally
funded grants and contracts. The current stipend for M.S. students
is $10,600 per year plus a tuition fellowship and waiver of out-of-state
fees. Information about assistantships is available from the Office
of the Dean of the Graduate School, Mobile Townhouse 222, University
of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688-0002.
DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Science degree in Marine Sciences is awarded in recognition
of the student’s demonstrated ability to successfully complete a prescribed
program of courses. It also is strongly preferred that students undertake
original scholarly research, which culminates in writing and defending
an acceptable thesis.
GENERAL
Required Credit
A minimum of thirty-two (32) semester hours of course credit beyond
the baccalaureate degree is required for students pursuing an M.S.
degree. Details about the curriculum are given below.
Transfer Credit
A maximum of eight (8) semester hours of graduate courses taken at
another accredited university in the same (or closely related) subject
as that of the masters program may be considered as part of the M.S.
degree requirements at USA. Only grades of “A” or “B” may be accepted
as transfer credits. The student’s sponsor (major professor), in consultation
with the Chair, and if necessary, the student’s advisory committee,
will evaluate transfer credit; the transfer credit is approved by
the Dean of the Graduate School only after completion of a minimum
of eight semester hours of graduate course work in the M.S. program
in marine sciences at USA.
Residence, Full-Time Study,
and Continuous Registration
A minimum of two consecutive semesters of full-time study in residence
is required. The residency requirements may be met at USA or the Dauphin
Island Sea Lab.
Employment other than University activities
directly associated with graduate study is not allowed during full-time
study, unless specifically approved by the Chair.
Time Limit
All requirements for the M.S. degree must be completed within five
years from the date of matriculation. A student who has not satisfactorily
completed a M.S. degree in a five-year period must apply for a defined
extension to complete the degree. This request must be recommended
by a major professor, the Chair, the Director of Graduate Studies,
and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. If the student does
not complete the degree requirements in the defined extension period,
the Director of Graduate Studies may recommend, and the Dean of the
Graduate School may take, whatever action is necessary up to and including
dismissal.
The comprehensive examination must
be passed within three (3) years of the beginning of the M.S. program
of study.
Failure to complete the work within
the periods specified shall necessitate reevaluation of the student’s
program, and may result in a recommendation of dismissal by the Director
of Graduate Studies to the Graduate Dean.
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS
A field of specialization is required of all candidates for the M.S.
degree. In addition, all students must have formal course work in
at least three (3) of the following general areas of marine sciences;
biological, chemical, geological, and physical oceanography. This
requirement is normally met by completion of three of the four (4)
core courses (see below), representing nine(9) credit hours.
Core Courses
The four (4) core courses consist of three (3) semester hours each
for a total of 12 semester hours in physical (MAS 601), chemical (MAS
602), geological (MAS 603), and biological oceanography (MAS 604),
or equivalent transfer hours. At least two (2) semester hours of seminar
(two-one (1) semester hour enrollments) are required.
The remaining course work will be determined
by the student’s advisory committee, but must include six (6) semester
hours of marine sciences electives. Although a thesis is not an absolute
requirement, this program is strongly oriented toward research, and
students will be expected to demonstrate research capability, preferably
through completion of an acceptable thesis. For students pursuing
a thesis program, the M.S. degree program of study may include up
to nine (9) hours of thesis credit toward the minimum requirements
of thirty-two (32) semester hours.
Schematic of Typical Program
Core Courses (3 of 4)
MAS 601
MAS 603 |
3
3 |
MAS 602
MAS 604 |
3
3
|
| Seminar (two enrollments) |
2
|
Marine Sciences Electives (as determined by advisory
committee, but at least six (6) semester hours) - 10
Directed Studies - 4 (maximum)
Thesis - 9 (maximum)
Total Hours (32 minimum) - 34
COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATIONS
A written comprehensive examination in marine sciences is required
of all students seeking the M.S. degree. These examinations are general
in scope and are given by the advisory committee after at least one
full year, but before three full years of graduate study are completed.
The examination may be taken no more than twice.
NON-THESIS
PROGRAM
Students pursuing the M.S. degree in Marine Sciences are strongly
encouraged to follow the thesis option. However, a non-thesis curriculum
is available for students, upon agreement of the major professor and
advisory committee, who so elect. The student will be required to
complete the same degree requirements as those for a student who chooses
the thesis option, with the following exceptions:
- A thesis will not be required, consequently
MAS 599 (Thesis) may not be taken, and the nine (9) semester hours
normally associated with it must be earned through formal course
work.
- Course work must include all four
core courses.
- The student must take an oral comprehensive
exam, to be given by the advisory committee, in addition to the
written exam.
- The student must complete MAS 594
(Directed Studies) under the direction of the major professor. The
student must also have an advisory committee whose members will
decide if the student’s report relating to the directed study is
satisfactory. The committee normally will consist of the major professor
and two others. The student is required to present an open seminar
about the directed study during the last semester of residency.
DEFENSE
OF THESIS (when applicable)
The final oral defense of the thesis is scheduled after the thesis
is completed except for such revisions as may be necessary as a result
of the defense. The final oral defense will not be given before all
required course work has been completed or is currently in progress.
DOCTOR
OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM (Ph.D.)
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program in marine sciences is designed
to provide a formal course of training and advanced research in marine
sciences that produces significant, original contributions to knowledge.
The Ph.D. degree is awarded to students who have reached and formally
demonstrated a level of competence and accomplishment that enables
them to pursue careers as marine science professionals. The Ph.D.
degree confers eligibility for many positions in academia, industry,
and government.
The marine sciences program offers courses and opportunities for
research in four main areas: biological, chemical, physical, and geological
oceanography. Each student receives formal training in each of these
disciplines while concentrating in a specific research area. The requirements
and procedures that follow are specifically for the Department of
Marine Sciences. However, the general rules and policies of the Graduate
School also apply.
MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
Students are normally admitted in the Fall Semester. Although applications
for admission and fellowships are accepted throughout the year, application
before March 1 is encouraged; beginning April 1 the admissions committee
will make initial recommendations about applicants for the following
Fall class, with formal letters sent to applicants by the end of April.
Depending on availability of space and funding, applications may be
approved and students admitted throughout the year. In addition to
the general admissions requirements of the Graduate School, requirements
for admission to the Marine Sciences Ph.D. program are:
- A narrative statement indicating the student’s
research interests, professional goals and commitment to full-time study for completion of
degree requirements.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- For students with baccalaureate degrees:
- Official scores from the Graduate Record Examination
General Test with a minimum score of 1100 combined on the verbal and quantitative
subtests.
- A baccalaureate degree in a discipline related to marine
sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, geology, physics) from an accredited four-year college
or university.
- An undergraduate minimum grade- point average of 3.0
overall (A=4).
- For students with M.S. degrees:
- An M.S. degree in a discipline related to marine sciences
(e.g., biology, chemistry, geology, physics) from an accredited four-year college or
university.
- A graduate minimum grade-point average of 3.25 overall
(A=4).
- For fellowship applicants, official GRE scores are
required.
- International students must submit an official score of at
least 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
To insure research compatibility between
the student and the faculty in the marine sciences program, attention
will be given to the statement of research interests. A faculty member
will be asked to act as a sponsor for the applicant based on the statement
of interests and, if necessary, a personal interview. Through this
process, the student’s interests will be matched to the expertise
available within the faculty. Moreover, the sponsor may also be able
to offer the student financial support if a regular stipend is not
available. Students whose interests do not correspond to those of
a particular faculty sponsor, and/or have identified a faculty member
willing to serve as a sponsor, will not be admitted into the Ph.D.
degree program in marine sciences.
Application forms for admission to the
program and for fellowships (see below) are obtained by writing to:
Chair, Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama,
Mobile, AL 36688-0002.
FELLOWSHIPS
AND ASSISTANTSHIPS
The Department of Marine Sciences offers at-large fellowships to Ph.D.
students annually on a competitive basis. In addition, there are a
variable number of doctoral assistantships that are sponsored by externally
funded grants and contracts to faculty. The current stipend for Ph.D.
fellowships is $13,000 per year plus a tuition fellowship and waiver
of out-of-state fees. Information about assistantships is available
from the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School, Mobile Townhouse
222, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688-0002.
DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS
The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded in recognition of the student’s
demonstrated ability to conduct original, scholarly research at the
highest levels without extensive supervision. The degree is not granted
upon completion of a stated amount of course work, but rather after
demonstration by the student of a comprehensive knowledge and research
capability in a specialized field of study. The student must demonstrate
this ability in writing and by defending a dissertation based upon
the results of an original investigation.
GENERAL
Required Credit
A minimum of 60 semester hours of approved graduate credit is required.
Details about the curriculum are given below.
Transfer Credit
Graduate courses taken at another accredited university, such as for
students with M.S. degrees in the same (or a closely related) subject
as that of the Ph.D. program, may be considered in the Ph.D. plan
of study up to a maximum of 32 semester hours. Only grades of “A”
or “B” may be accepted as transfer credit. The student’s sponsor,
in consultation with the Chair, and if necessary, the advisory committee,
will evaluate transfer credit; the transfer credit is approved by
the Dean of the Graduate School only after completion of a minimum
of eight semester hours of graduate course work in the doctoral program
at USA.
Residence, Full-Time Study,
and Continuous Registration
A minimum of two consecutive semesters of full-time study in residence
is required. The residency requirement may be met at USA or the Dauphin
Island Sea Lab.
Employment other than University activities
directly associated with graduate study is not allowed during full-time
study, unless specifically approved by the Chair.
Time Limit
All requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within eight
years from the date of matriculation. A student who has not satisfactorily
completed a dissertation in an eight-year period must apply for a
defined extension to complete the degree. This request must be recommended
by the major professor, the chair of the department, the Director
of Graduate Studies, and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.
If the student does not complete the
degree requirements in the defined extension period, the Director
of the Graduate Program may recommend and the Dean of the Graduate
School may take whatever action is necessary up to and including dismissal.
The comprehensive examination must be passed within five years of
the beginning of doctoral study, or within four years if the student
entered with a master’s degree in the same or a closely related field.
The dissertation prospectus should be completed within six months
of formation of the advisory committee. Failure to complete the work
within the periods specified shall necessitate reevaluation of the
student’s program and may result in a recommendation for dismissal
by the Director of Graduate Studies to the Graduate Dean.
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS
Core Courses
A field of specialization is required of all candidates for the Ph.D.
degree. All students must have formal course work in all of the core
marine science subdisciplines. This requirement is normally met by
completion of four (4) core courses (see below) and seminar, representing
twelve (12) credit hours.
The four (4) core courses consist of
three (3) semester hours each for a total of 12 semester hours in
physical (MAS 601), chemical (MAS 602), geological (MAS 603), and
biological oceanography (MAS 604), or equivalent transfer courses.
Other Required Courses
At least 46 semester hours in courses beyond the baccalaureate degree
are required in addition to the core courses, at least half of which
must be taken in formal courses exclusive of directed studies or directed
research. Up to 16 semester hours of dual-listed and 400-level courses
may be counted, with no more than 12 hours of either type. The remaining
courses must be solely graduate level.
At least 12 semester hours of dissertation
course credit is required. Not more than 15 hours in this category
can be counted toward the minimum requirement of 60 semester hours.
At least two (2) semester hours of
seminar (two, one semester hours) are required.
Schematic of Typical Program
Core Courses
MAS 601
MAS 603 |
3
3 |
MAS 602
MAS 604 |
3
3 |
| Seminar (two enrollments) |
2 |
| Total |
19 |
Marine Science Electives
Directed Studies
Dissertation (1-5 per semester) |
at least 23
at most 8
at most 15 |
|
====
at least 60 |
COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATIONS
Written and oral examinations in marine sciences are required of all
students seeking the Ph.D. degree in marine sciences. These examinations
are given after at least two full years but before five full years
of graduate study are completed. The written comprehensive examination
is taken first and normally is more general in scope than the oral
comprehensive examination. The examinations may be taken no more than
twice.
CANDIDACY
A doctoral student is admitted to candidacy upon passing both the
written and oral comprehensive examinations and after completing all
formal course work requirements. The doctoral candidate is a student
who has fulfilled all preliminary requirements for the Ph.D. and has
only completion of the dissertation research as the remaining requirement.
DEFENSE
OF DISSERTATION
The final oral defense of the dissertation is scheduled after the
dissertation is completed except for such revisions as may be necessary
as a result of the defense. The final oral defense will not be given
earlier than one semester after admission to candidacy and not before
all required course work has been completed or is currently in progress.
*See departmental sections of this Bulletin for complete
course information in subdisciplines of Marine Sciences (Biology,
Chemistry, Geology).
Descriptions
of all Marine Sciences (MAS) courses
College
of Arts and Sciences
|
