Spend one semester of your college experience exploring the sea learning with the peaceful Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, and Seahorses in the beautiful turquoise colored waters of the Andaman Sea in the midst of the culture, people, and beauty of The Asia Pacific Region.

Students learn basic through advanced scuba skills and then participate in underwater research projects.

Our students will participate in a minimum of 120 dives during their ‘Semester under the Sea’ while studying these subjects:

coral reef rebuilding, turtle protection…

Research projects:

Underwater photography and identification of species, conducting reef surveys, underwater mapping, documenting degradation of coral reefs, and underwater ecology in action.

You may be eligible for 12 college credit hours in one semester

Marine research projects are conducted by:

• Professor Henry Aruffo Director of Environmental Studies
  Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society
  

• Garth Schumann PADI Course Director

Divers and non-divers are eligible to attend. Students from all fields of study are invited to attend.

The semester Certificate Program in Underwater Research may be applicable to students in the following fields of interest and study; marine science, earth sciences, marine archaeology, history, research, education, photography, U/W video, search and recovery, exploration, oceanography, geography, marine biology, conservation, and many more.

We offer a unique, specialized hands-on educational experience with only 8 students accepted per semester.

Spend the semester learning about oceans and reefs and strategies to safeguard the beauty of the oceans and coral reefs.

Environmental Law, Advocacy, Justice
Environmental Education
Fisheries Science
Geology
Natural Resource Management
Outdoor Education
Underwater Photography
and many other subjects!

Earth Science
Ecological Anthropology

We train proficient, environmentally sensitive scuba divers with skills necessary for diverse underwater research projects. The approach to education is holistic in nature. Students study and train in one of the top ten dive sites in the world and observe and photo-document its beauty and diversity. He believes that some students enhance their learning in a hands-on skill based educational system. Instead of only reading a textbook to explain a concept, you will be scuba diving to observe the concept come alive. He provides professional level field training, students swim with peaceful Whale Sharks, graceful Manta rays and seahorses versus sitting in a classroom looking at a photograph in a textbook.

• We provide a supportive student-centered environment.
• We encourage environmental stewardship in our students .
• We recognize and celebrate achievement.
• We have a commitment to provide a positive teaching - learning experience within a supportive environment.
• We encourage our faculty to enhance their skills and knowledge through a variety of professional training activities.
• We promote protection and restoration of the coral reefs and work to preserve this precious natural resource, and its beauty, for future generations.
• Our goal is to maintain a high level of excellence in teaching, research, and environmental outreach to promote the vitality and health of the ocean ecosystem.

Tuition includes (up to 12 credit hours available), Housing (12 weeks), Dive Safaris, full set of scuba equipment (wetsuit, BCD-buoyancy compensation device, weight belt, mask, fins, regulator, underwater writing slate, equipment bag, electronic RDP - student keeps all scuba equipment and books), college credit transfers, use of underwater camera and strobe, all boat fees, transportation to and from all dive trips and research projects, participation in research projects, and registration fees.

Housing will be arranged for students in home stay accommodations (included in tuition). Does not include: Air fare to Perth and meals. PADI Instructor required materials.