COURSE CURRICULUM

The Earth Sciences graduate program at The University of Southern Mississippi is an interdisciplinary master’s degree designed to prepare students for professional and research careers in environmental science, natural resource management, sustainability, and earth system studies. Admission requires applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA over the last sixty undergraduate credit hours. Applicants must submit official transcripts, three recommendation letters, a personal statement of no more than two pages, and a current CV or résumé. International applicants whose native language is not English must also provide TOEFL or IELTS scores. Prospective students are encouraged to contact faculty members during the application process to discuss potential research interests and academic advising opportunities. The program requires a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours with at least 18 hours completed at the 600 level or higher and offers both thesis and non-thesis pathways. Students selecting the thesis option must identify a research area, choose a thesis chair and committee, complete and defend a thesis prospectus by the end of the third semester, pass a comprehensive examination, and successfully complete and defend a thesis. The non-thesis option focuses on coursework and requires students to pass a written comprehensive examination during their graduating semester. The curriculum integrates environmental science, geology, geography, ecology, and geospatial technologies to develop strong analytical and technical skills. Required coursework includes Seminar and Field Methods in Environmental Science, while students choose from advanced analytical courses such as Remote Sensing Principles, Spatial Analysis and Modeling, Drones and Spatial Data Collection, Quantitative Geographic Analysis, or ecological and biological data analysis. Students also select environmental science courses covering topics like Biogeography, Climatology, Geologic Disasters, Hydrology, and Soils, along with additional graduate coursework tailored to individual interests and career goals. Overall, the program prepares graduates for careers in environmental consulting, conservation, government agencies, research organizations, academic institutions, and private industry while strengthening expertise in sustainability, environmental analysis, and responsible resource management.