Scientific Diving – Theoretical Course

Scientific Diving is a crucial research tool for marine scientists to observe and study biodiversity and functioning of marine or aquatic environments. In this course, you will learn how to design, plan and safely participate in a scientific diving project, as well as get acquainted with traditional and novel methods and tools applied underwater and how to use these scientific diving methods to obtain high quality scientific data.

The course consists of two parts: a module on safe dive planning and organization and a module on methods for scientific diving research. This course is a preparation to attain a European Scientific Diver Certificate and accounts for the ‘dry’ (theoretical) requirements. It also is important for future project leaders that may not personally apply scientific diving methods but may become responsible for diving scientists.

Learning outcomes

Module part I

• Describe what scientific diving is, how it is different from other types of diving, and when to apply it;
• List the legal aspects and responsibilities of scientific diving in the Netherlands and in the EU;
• Describe the fields of study that use scientific diving;
• Recall the Scientific Diving Protocol as developed by the DSD Platform in accordance with the ESD requirements;
• Explain how being underwater affects the physical environment and the diver's physiology;
• Demonstrate the ability to make buoyancy and gas law calculations;
• Explain why certain diving equipment is appropriate for provided scenarios;
• Link correct diving casualty management strategies to provided casualty situations;
• Construct a dive plan for a provided project, which includes a risk assessment and required gas calculations.
• Learning outcomes

Module part I

• Describe what scientific diving is, how it is different from other types of diving, and when to apply it;
• List the legal aspects and responsibilities of scientific diving in the Netherlands and in the EU;
• Describe the fields of study that use scientific diving;
• Recall the Scientific Diving Protocol as developed by the DSD Platform in accordance with the ESD requirements;
• Explain how being underwater affects the physical environment and the diver's physiology;
• Demonstrate the ability to make buoyancy and gas law calculations;
• Explain why certain diving equipment is appropriate for provided scenarios;
• Link correct diving casualty management strategies to provided casualty situations;
• Construct a dive plan for a provided project, which includes a risk assessment and required gas calculations.

Module part II

• Discuss available underwater research methods and when they are appropriate for provided types of study;
• Summarize the important components of the scientific method (including experimental design) in order to perform research in an ethical way;
• Understand how to perform scientifically correct (replication, control, bias) research in a mindful way (ethical considerations, impact on the environment).
• Create a research proposal fitting a given study objective, including experimental design, tasks of the dive team, and an evaluation of the proposed research methods.

General Information

Target Group	PhDs and postdocs
Course level	In-depth, post graduate
Group size	A maximum of 20 participants
Course duration	56 hours (equivalent to 2ECTS), to be distributed by the student over 40 days (8 weeks). Given 5 times per (academic) year
Prior knowledge	None requirement, but dive experience may be useful
Homework/ self- study	Self-study, this is an online self-paced course
Language	English
Credit points	2 ECTS
Online/in-person	Online

Programme

This is a suggested pace to fit the 2ECTS into the 8 weeks, but students can plan their own time.

Fee

WUR Phd candidates	free
Other PhD candidates and postdocs	€ 330

Cancellation condition

You may cancel free of charge up to 1 month before the start of the course. After this date you will be charged with the full fee. Unless: 

• You can find someone to replace you in the course and supply the course coordinator with the name and contact information of your replacement. In this case you will be charged a €50, cancellation fee.

Information

For more information please contact: scientific.diving@wur.nl