COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology is a 120-credit program designed to provide students with strong scientific knowledge, laboratory training, field experience, and research skills focused on marine organisms, ocean systems, and coastal environments. The degree begins with a comprehensive General Education Curriculum that includes written communication, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and science courses with laboratories. Recommended science foundations include biology, chemistry, and physics, which are also major requirements for advanced marine biology study. Students complete specialized communication requirements through Scientific Writing in Ocean Science and Marine Science Seminar, while the senior capstone experience is fulfilled through MAR 497 Senior Practicum. The major area of study contains intensive marine science coursework, including environmental microbiology, marine ecology, coastal processes, marine organism structure and function, field methods in marine science, oceanographic data management, and introductory biometry. Students also take Thrive in Marine Biology courses that help them adapt to academic and professional expectations within the discipline. A key feature of the program is the experiential learning requirement, where students must complete either marine science research projects or internships to gain practical experience in laboratory work, field sampling, environmental analysis, or marine conservation activities. The curriculum also allows students to choose marine biology electives in specialized areas such as genetics, marine mammals, marine pollution, marine botany, aquaculture, marine microbial ecology, ecotoxicology, fish diversity, climate science, geographic information systems, comparative physiology, and marine invertebrate zoology. Additional requirements strengthen the scientific foundation through courses in zoology, botany, ecology, cell biology, organic chemistry, calculus, and general physics. The program emphasizes advanced laboratory techniques, data analysis, scientific communication, environmental understanding, and field-based marine research. Students typically complete the first two years at either the Hattiesburg or Gulf Park campuses, while junior and senior-level coursework is completed at Gulf Park, where specialized marine laboratories and coastal research facilities are available. Overall, the Marine Biology BS program prepares graduates for careers in marine research, environmental consulting, fisheries, aquaculture, conservation, coastal management, laboratory science, marine resource management, and graduate or professional studies in marine and biological sciences.The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Marketing is a 120-credit degree program designed to prepare students for careers in marketing, sales, advertising, brand management, digital media, and related business fields through a combination of business knowledge, analytical skills, communication abilities, and practical marketing experience. The program begins with the General Education Curriculum, which includes written communication, natural sciences with labs, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, aesthetic values, and communication-focused courses that strengthen writing and speaking abilities. Students also complete a senior capstone course, MGT 400 Global Managerial Policy and Strategy, which integrates business knowledge into strategic decision-making. The major area of study focuses on specialized marketing subjects such as creative marketing, professional selling, consumer behavior, marketing research, and marketing management. Students further customize their degree by selecting advanced electives in areas including integrated marketing communications, supply chain management, business-to-business marketing, social media marketing, digital merchandising, international marketing, retail strategy, marketing analytics, sales management, sustainability and global sourcing, services marketing, and advanced research methods. Internship and supervised field experience opportunities are also available to provide hands-on professional exposure. In addition to the marketing curriculum, students complete the College of Business core courses covering accounting, finance, economics, operations management, business analytics, management information systems, business law, organizational management, and principles of marketing, ensuring a broad understanding of business operations. Additional BSBA requirements include technical or business communication coursework, business English or technology-related classes, advanced analytics or applied mathematics, and business electives that support career flexibility. The program emphasizes practical application, teamwork, communication, critical thinking, data analysis, and customer relationship management, preparing students to solve real-world business and marketing challenges. Graduates are prepared for careers in advertising, retail management, digital marketing, brand management, marketing analytics, professional sales, market research, public relations, supply chain operations, and entrepreneurship. The degree also provides strong preparation for graduate business education such as an MBA or specialized master’s programs. Overall, the Marketing BSBA combines practical business education, specialized marketing expertise, and professional development opportunities to prepare students for success in competitive and evolving business environments.