Scientific Diving

[ Example Syllabus (.PDF) | General Expectations ]

Description

Meets requirements for Scientific Diver under the guidelines of Alaska Pacific University and the Association for Advancement of Underwater Science. A heavy emphasis is placed on dive safety while conducting scientific work underwater. Lab included. Lab fee required. Additional costs for travel are required of the student. Students provide their own SCUBA gear (required). First aid certification and open-water dive certification required before a student's first dive. Prerequisites: MAR 201, and MAR 215 or MAR 315; or OS 200 and OS 205.

Practical applications may include data gathering techniques, observation techniques, collecting, common biota, installation of scientific apparatus, site location and relocation, research vessel diving, organism identification, behavior, ecology, tagging, photography, habitat (aquarium) diving, and animal handling.

This course is for those students interested in using SCUBA diving professionally for underwater research, especially Senior Projects or graduate thesis research, and in a subsequent career as a diver for scientific or teaching organizations. Graduate students (ES 672) learn sampling techniques for underwater science. Open-water dive certification and permission of instructor required; current certification in first aid and CPR plus certification as a rescue diver desirable. Academic prerequisites either MAR201 + (MAR215/315 or SC210) or OS205 + SC203.

May Block 2003: field work in Resurrection Bay, via Seward, Alaska

Learning Objectives

• Details coming soon.

dscheel@alaskapacific.edu

David Scheel, Professor of Marine Biology, Environmental Science Department, Alaska Pacific University *Complete address