Advanced Science Diving

Catalog description

Advanced scuba diving skills applied to underwater data collection and research. EM SC 441 Advanced Science Diving (4) EM SC 441 is a four credit advanced science diving course for students who have completed EM SC 440 (Science Diving), an equivalent course at a recognized AAUS member institution, or have been approved by the University Dive Safety Officer based on acceptable demonstration of practical and academic dive experience. Students must have a minimum of 20 logged dives beyond their basic open water certification dives by the start of the course. Scientific diving is concerned with the observation of underwater phenomena and the acquisition of scientific data. This course introduces students to some of the basic skills and techniques used in scientific diving, following the standards established by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) -- with a significant emphasis on diver safety. The course covers theoretical aspects of science diving techniques. The course will focus on advanced techniques in underwater ecology, geology, paleontology and archaeology, leveraging expertise from PSU faculty in these disciplines. The course will include classroom sessions, pool sessions, and open water dives. The classroom and pool sessions and the open water dives will involve skills development and their application in research settings. Research will involve a variety of projects (e.g. fish surveys, lake sediment sampling for climate reconstruction, underwater mapping) – the exact nature of which will vary depending on the areas of expertise of the faculty and students involved. Each government or university underwater research program certifies its own divers based on standards that, at a minimum, conform to those of the AAUS. Successful completion of the course will allow the student diver in training to apply for science diver certification from the Penn State Science Diving Program. Certification is also dependant on a medical examination and is at the discretion of the University Dive Safety Officer; it is not automatically offered on completion of the course. The course is usually offered once a year in the fall semester and will involve several day trips (usually at weekends) to various river, lake, and quarry locations within the northeastern United States. There will be an additional fee charged to cover the costs of the open water dives and administrative charges for recreational dive certifications.