GUSTO is a research-oriented undergraduate-level program that offers students academic credit in either Geology or Biology. The program is comprised of three components:
- 3-credit 2-week course, "Continental Shelf and Gulf Stream Oceanography" held on the CofC campus;
- 14 days at sea aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer during which students learn to sail the vessel while conducting individual and group oceanographic research projects;
- 1 week post-cruise shore-based component held on the SEA campus in Woods Hole, MA.  During this final week, students complete their analyses and document research results in the forms of oral presentations and research papers. Students earn an additional 4 credits for the course "Oceanographic Research."  In addition to the time devoted to research, students are able to tour several of the oceanographic facilities located in the Woods Hole area, and meet scientists in the community.

GUSTO 2010 was offered as a CofC Summer Study Abroad Program, from May 11 to June 12.  The program was piloted with a cruise track from Charleston, SC to Bermuda, allowing students to compare/contrast continental shelf, Gulf Stream and Sargasso Sea environments.  

16 CofC students (Biology, Geology majors and minors ranging from Freshman to Seniors) were selected from a large pool of applicants. Three CofC faculty members from the Biology and Geology Departments provided course content with lectures and exercises, and supervised student research projects.