Oceanography & Coastal Sciences, M.S.

(SOCS)

The departmental-level academic course plan for each student will be developed in consultation with and approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee. The committee will include the student’s major advisor and at least two additional members of the graduate faculty such that the LSU Graduate School’s requirements for graduate committees are satisfied.

The degree is a thesis degree. Twenty-four hours of course work at the graduate level must be earned including a maximum of six hours of credit for the thesis research project for a grand total of 30 credit hours. The curricular requirements include:

• At least 15 hours at the 7000 level or above, exclusive of any type of independent studies credit except for special project credit earned.
• A primary area consisting of a minimum of 12 hours of earned credit in a specified field of study.
• One credit hour of OCS 4030 .
• A minimum core requirement of 12 credit hours in biological, chemical, geological and physical oceanography.
• A 36-hour non-thesis option is also available.

The student must pass a final exam consisting of a comprehensive oral exam and an optional written exam. At the discretion of the student’s advisory committee, a written exam may be required.