Underwater Research

Course Dates

July 14, 2025 to July 28, 2025

Prerequisites

One semester of college-level biology or equivalent.

Divers in the Underwater Research course are also required to have the following dive-related prerequisites:

• SCUBA certification
• A minimum of 10 logged dives, including:
  • Four dives as part of your Basic Open Water certification.
  • Six dives following your Basic Open Water certification.
  • Four of these dives must have been within the last 12 months.
  • At least two of these dives must be in the cold water gear you will be wearing in the class (i.e., wet suit, hoodie, gloves and booties) and in water <70°F (21°C).
• Or by permission from UNH's Dive Safety Officer, Elizabeth Kintzing (ek@unh.edu)

Students who wish to be authorized as AAUS scientific divers will also need to complete AAUS e-learning and dive accident management e-learning prior to commencement of the class. Students will receive information about these e-learning modules once their enrollment in the course is confirmed.

After beginning the SML admissions process with an SML Academic Coordinator, students must be approved to SCUBA dive at SML. To obtain approval:

1. Complete the forms in SML's SCUBA Diving Application Packet.
   • Forms must be returned to SML's Diving Safety Officer, Elizabeth Kintzing (ek@unh.edu).
   • Instructions for submission of forms can be found on page 1 of the packet.
2. Required reading: UNH's Handbook for Diving Safety

Dive-related questions? Contact SML Diving Safety Officer, Elizabeth Kintzing (ek@unh.edu)

Course-related questions? Contact SML at shoals.lab@unh.edu or (603) 862-5346.

Course Description

Underwater Research provides guidance and opportunities for students to conduct original research in the field of subtidal marine ecology! The course will cover experimental design, data collection, and research proposal writing. Students can receive AAUS Scientific Diver Certification.

Information about becoming a Scientific Diver at SML:

Students may attain AAUS Scientific Diver status  upon completion of the Underwater Research course, which includes Dive Accident Management Training (O2 Administration, Basic First Aid, CPR, AED). The University of New Hampshire is an Organizational Member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and Underwater Research at SML follows the guidelines for the AAUS Scientific Diver Course.

Pending successful completion of the course requirements, students may achieve scientific diver status, allowing them to apply for permission to dive under the auspices of other AAUS Scientific Diving Programs at other organizational member facilities, which include universities, state and federal governmental agencies, and marine aquaria throughout the United States and abroad. Many Scientific Diving Programs in the United States and abroad are AAUS Organizational Members and require participants to possess AAUS Scientific Diver Status before participating in research at their institution.

As outlined above, students interested in Underwater Research must complete the necessary prerequisites to attain approval to SCUBA dive at SML. Students cannot take this course without approval from SML's Diving Safety Officer and the UNH Diving Control Board.