Themes and Activities

Professional Development

Overview: The education component of COMIT consists of both formal academic course work and academic degree enhancement in hydrographic sciences. We will also conduct of various in-service training modules to bolster mapping professional skills, including communication of data and mapping standards. The USF-CMS already boasts a substantial marine science education program dedicated to coastal and ocean hydrography. Our graduate course offerings and online courses are taught at both the graduate and undergraduate level. Although our program does not provide undergraduate degrees, we assist other undergraduate programs on our St. Petersburg Campus such as the Marine Biology Major. The CMS recruits, trains, and graduates productive, creative scientists at the Ph.D. and M.S. levels that are prepared to make independent contributions to ocean science. The faculty are expected to develop outstanding graduate education programs that will afford students the opportunity to participate in all aspects of research. The CMS recognizes that graduate education requires strong mentoring along with traditional classroom instruction. A notable aspect of our graduate education is hands-on training and practical field experience, as well as comprehensive reviews of the many multibeam seafloor mapping projects, publications, and expeditions around the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. Our existing curriculum has provided a strong foundation for COMIT to pursue becoming an International Federation of Surveyors/International Hydrographic Organization/International Cartographic Association (FIG/IHO/ICA) Category A certified institution which is currently underway. 

Proposed activities:

  • Expand hydrography-related course offerings in hydrographic services by reviving past courses and developing new ones
  • Develop a curriculum in alignment with Standards on Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors Category A (FIG/IHO/ICA)
  • Develop, teach, and facilitate short-courses and seminars for students as well as governmental and non-governmental professionals 

Recent happenings:

  • A week-long QPS training course for COMIT students, staff, and faculty was held at the USF College of Marine Science from August 9-13, 2021