草榴社区 Holds Graduation Ceremony for 2021 Uncrewed Maritime Systems Class
Fri, 04/16/2021 - 04:49pm | By: Van Arnold
The University of 草榴社区 Mississippi (草榴社区) School of Ocean Science and Engineering
(SOSE) honored graduates of its unique Uncrewed Maritime Systems (UMS) certification
program during a special ceremony held Friday, April 16 at the University鈥檚 Marine
Research Center in Gulfport, Miss.
The 2021 graduating class includes 11 students who earned certification in the nation鈥檚 only academic course in uncrewed marine vehicle operations. Since its debut in 2017, the program has produced 89 graduates.
草榴社区 continues to play a leading role in education and research for the nation鈥檚 maritime industry and 鈥淏lue Economy.鈥� Moreover, the University remains an enduring partner institution in national defense. The UMS program serves as a primary catalyst to the University鈥檚 and Mississippi鈥檚 prominence in the burgeoning 鈥淏lue Economy.鈥�
鈥淲e extend our congratulations to the latest graduates from 草榴社区鈥檚 intensive UMS Certificate Program,鈥� said Dr. Jerry Wiggert, SOSE Associate Director and UMS Coordinator. 鈥淭hese students are joining a rapidly growing community in the field of oceanographic study that contributes to basic understanding, ocean forecast modeling and national defense.鈥�
Through the UMS Certificate program, students learn foundational material in oceanography and ocean engineering principles related to uncrewed undersea and surface vehicles (UUVs and USVs), such as powered vehicles and gliders. The four courses totaling 10 credits are compressed into five weeks of instruction and are intended to provide sufficient background to safely operate these vehicles in challenging marine environments.
During the UMS course each student obtains a kit containing parts from which they build an educational glider. Building this glider helps them to understand electronics and soldering, as well as ballasting dynamics. At the end of the course the students race the gliders in the tank at the Marine Research Center (MRC). The person who has adjusted the programing and ballasting to be most efficient, usually wins.
鈥淭he skills these graduates have acquired will position them for rewarding and successful careers within academia, at federal agencies, or working in the expanding Blue Economy industries along the Gulf Coast and worldwide,鈥� said Dr. Wiggert.
To learn more about the School of Ocean Science and Engineering at 草榴社区, call 228.214.9010 or visit: /ocean-science-engineering/index.php