Scientific Diving at the University of Plymouth
Scientific diving integrated into your studies
The University of Plymouth allows students to integrate scientific diving into their degree pathway
Students who have completed the HSE SCUBA course through the University of Plymouth or an external training provider are eligible to enrol in the optional academic module OS207 Scientific Diving (year 2). This module expands on the skills acquired in HSE SCUBA, applying them to scientific diving techniques. It equips students to participate in active scientific diving projects and research, further enriched by opportunities to engage as 'working' divers in both internal and external research initiatives throughout their second and third years.
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Courses that offer OS207 Scientific Diving:
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Oceanography BSc (Hons) Marine Biology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) Ocean Exploration and Surveying - BSc (Hons) Ocean Science
BSc (Hons) Ocean Science and Marine Conservation BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
Coming to Plymouth was a no brainer for me. When I was searching, it was the only university in the country which offered scuba diving as part of the degree course and it’s surrounded by some amazing marine biology heritage.
Mae Dorricott
Marine Biology
2017 European Rolex Scholarship winner
Theoretical content
- Introduction to scientific diving
- Underwater optics and imaging
- Marine environmental surveys and sampling
- Survey methods
- Underwater search methods
- An introduction to underwater rigging and lift bags
- Tutorials on project planning for research and data collection
Practical content including up to nine dives
- Underwater imaging – cameras, housings and lighting
- Underwater photography
- Underwater search patterns
- Underwater rigging and lift bags
- Underwater sampling
- Quadrat surveys using jackstays
- Data collection
Undergraduate research: Students with HSE SCUBA can request to dive as part of their dissertation projects where the collection of underwater data is required. These project dives often require multiple divers, and these opportunities are always offered to students where possible.
Postgraduate research: The University has a continuous need for student divers to support postgraduate research. These opportunities give students invaluable experience in actual scientific diving while also developing their CVs.
External research: The dive team at the University offer services to multiple outside organisations and partners. These projects often present scope for student divers to join the dive team.
Students will be given opportunities to join project diving throughout their 2nd and 3rd years. These projects are extremely beneficial to students as they gain real-world experience whilet still under the supervision of the University dive team.
HSE SCUBA & Scientific Diving
Marine Station, Artillery Place, Coxside, Plymouth PL4 0LU