Syllabus

 

Course Information

 

Introduction to Research Diving                    This course will provide an introduction to research diving and conforms to the training standards of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) for scientific diver certification that is accepted at most universities and at all AAUS member organizations throughout the United States.

 

EVS 479/580                                                   

 

Course Description                                           Students will be instructed in advanced diving, research diving techniques, enriched air nitrox, dive rescue, and oxygen administration and will be eligible to participate as a scientific diver-in-training or scientific diver at their home institutions after successful course completion.  The course will be taught by a team of instructors, experienced in using scuba diving as a research tool.

 

Location                                                              TL1013

 

Meeting Days                                                    Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

 

Meeting Times                                                  TR 1700—1815

                                                                             F    0700 – 1100 (pool)

                                                                             Sat - Dependent on boat departure time.

 

Prerequisite’s                                                     Each student MUST have a membership in Divers Alert Network (DAN), prepared insurance program (application forms will be provided if needed).  Prerequisite’s include certification as an open water scuba diver and evidence of a current UNCW diving physical examination MUST be completed prior to course (AAUS medical examination forms will be provided).  Verification of prerequisites including an approved medical exam and permission from the course instructor is required at time of registration.  Ability to take and pass UNCW/AAUS swimming evaluation will be required.

 

Textbooks

 

Required Reading                                             NOAA Diving Manual, Fourth Edition, Best Publishing Company 2001

 

                                                                             Understanding Nitrox, TDI

 

                                                                             Diving First Aid for Professional Divers, by Divers Alert Network

 

Instructor Information

 

Name                                                                   Landis Bullock

 

Email                                                                   bullockw@uncw.edu

 

Office Location                                                 TL2106

 

Office Hours                                                      By Appointment

 

Phone                                                                  910.471.7779

 

Course Goals

 

Course Goals                                                     Satisfy the 100 hours of documented scientific diver training requirements prescribed by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), Dauphin Island, Alabama.

 

Policies

 

Introduction                                                       Please be aware of the information that follows below concerning:

                                                                            

Students with Disabilities

 

The Academic Honor Code

 

UNCW Diving Safety Manual

 

Drug Screening

 

Additional Information                                    Disabilities:  If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodation in the course, you should inform me of this fact in writing within the first week of class or as soon as possible.  If you have not already done so, you must register with the Office of Disability Services in Westside Hall (extension 3746) and obtain a copy of your Accommodation Letter.  You should then meet with me to make mutually agreeable arrangements based on the recommendations of the Accommodation Letter.

 

                                                                             Academic Honor Code:  The UNCW Provost has asked all UNCW faculty to make reference – in course syllabi – to the ‘Academic Honor Code’ which can be found in your 2015 – 2016 Student Handbook and Code of Student Life, Section V – Academic Honor Code.  Please regard this as a reminder that all UNCW students and faculty are held to the terms of the Academic Honor Code. 

 

                                                                             UNCW Diving Safety Manual (DSM)

                                                                             All training and diving will be conducted under the auspices of the UNCW Diving Safety Manual.  Prior to execution of diving operations, all students must have appropriate paperwork completed and on file as per UNCW DSM.  Falsification of information may lead to suspension of diving operations and disqualification from the program.  UNCW DSM is available online through UNCW website and this course website.

 

                                                                             Drug Screening

                                                                             Due to the highly complex nature of diving activities, drug screenings are required of all students participating in this course.  Students must be able to produce a clear drug screen prior to being allowed to participate in diving activities.  Failure to do so may result in termination from this course. 

 

Course Requirements

 

Introduction                                                       You must attend all class sessions and field trips.  Attendance will be taken daily.

 

Grading                                                               Participation = 10%, Presentation = 10%, Unit Exams = 25%, Lab Evaluation* = 25%, Final Exam = 30%

 

                                                                             * a practical evaluation of student skills and ability to work as a team will be conducted at the end of the semester.

                                                                            

                                                                             Final grades subject to interpretation of instructor.

 

 

Technical Requirements

 

Equipment                                                          See UNCW Equipment Guidelines (UNCW DSM)

 

EVS 479/580 Inclement Weather Plan

                                                                             UNCW is committed to providing students the safest educational experience possible.  In the event of inclement weather (ie tropical systems, tsunamis, earthquakes ect) the course schedule and locations will need to be changed.  Further information will be available as needed. 

Presentation

                                                                             Each EVS-479/580 student will be required to complete an independent study of some aspect of scientific diving and present their findings to the class at the end of the semester.  Topics must be approved by instructor.  Guidelines will be discussed in class.