Gulf Coast

Go beyond textbooks and lecture halls. Study USA’s travel courses combine academic learning with hands-on, real world experiences. Every class maximizes its unique location with immersive activities. 

You’ll earn academic credit, apply what you’re learning directly to your surroundings, and engage in lively class experiences—all guided by Ole Miss faculty.

What You'll Do

• Participate in the monitoring program of natural resource managers at a national estuarine research reserve
• Visit barrier islands to learn how their unique ecology is affected by tourism
• Interact with field scientists as they monitor artificial reefs and dolphin populations
• Help restore our coast line by re-planting living shorelines
• Explore behind the scenes at the MS aquarium to find out how their staff balance public recreation with environmental education
• Use your smartphone to collect project data and learn how apps are revolutionizing how we monitor ecosystem health

What You'll Learn

• Identify key flora and fauna of coastal ecosystems and understand their role as indicators of environmental quality.
• Get hands-on experience with lab and field equipment, and learn sampling methodologies to quantify animals and plants and to explore key questions in coastal management.
• Develop teamwork skills by managing group projects and working with peers to achieve project goals.
• Analyze and synthesize information for independent course projects on human impacts in the coastal zone, culminating in an oral presentation.
• Gain insights from industry experts through direct contact with invited guests from industry, government, and research relevant to Gulf Coast ecology and management.

All activities are tentative and subject to change depending on scheduling, booking availability, and course adjustments.