The Scientific Diver Training Program prepares students to become working scientific divers. This course focuses on teaching scientific research methods along with improving a diver’s ability and confidence in the water. In this course students learn the processes involved with TAMUG diving safety regulations/protocols. It implements the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) requirements.

TAMUG Scientific Diver Courses:

MARB 345. INTRODUCTION TO SCIENTIFIC DIVING

MARB 350. METHODS IN RESEARCH DIVING

MARB 345. INTRODUCTION TO SCIENTIFIC DIVING. (3-3). Credit 4. Prepare and qualify divers for entry into the TAMUG Scientific Diving Program. Students must pass medical, swimming, skin diving and scuba diving tests. Lectures include diving equipment, physics, physiology, medicine, regulations, environment, emergency and decompression procedures. Prerequisites: BIOL 111, PHYS 201, advanced scuba certification. Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. All students must present a current medical examination (which will be provided by the Diving Safety Officer or instructor) completed within the past 12 months, to the instructor before class participation in the pool will be allowed. Prior to using scuba equipment, all students must provide proof of basic certification. Permission of the instructor and the Diving Safety Officer is required before any pool activity takes place. Divers Alert Network insurance, or equivalent, is required.

Students must complete a rigorous training program including 36 dives. These dives are included in a 2-part course series including this course and MARB 350/MARB 617. A weekend trip to a dive site in Texas will involve open water dives and skill tests. Students will receive certification in NAUI First Aid, CPR, AED, O2 Administration, NAUI Nitrox, and NAUI Master Diver.

MARB 350. METHODS IN RESEARCH DIVING. (2-6). Credit 4. Survey of research methods and techniques using diving. Lecture and lab designed to train students in safe, efficient use of diving to collect and record data underwater for studies primarily in biology, geology, and archaeology. Prerequisites: MARB 345. Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. All students must present a completed medical examination (Appendices 1-4 in the TAMUG diving manual) signed by a doctor, to the instructor before class participation in the pool will be allowed. Prior to using scuba equipment, all students must provide proof of advanced open water certification or equivalent diving experience. Permission of the instructor and the Diving Safety Officer is required before any pool activity takes place. Divers Alert Network insurance, or equivalent, is required.

This course is taught during the Spring/Summer Intercessional in Panama City, FL and at freshwater dive sites in northern Florida. Water work to be done during lab sessions will include swimming, skin diving and scuba diving tests in the pool and open water.

Related Information:

Appendix 1 – Medical Evaluation Overview Form

Appendix 2 – Medical Evaluation Form

Appendix 3 – Medical History Form

Appendix 8 - Liability Waiver

Appendix 9 -Annual Dive Program Application