3 ECTS credits
75 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4023638FNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Biology
Educational team
Alain Norro (course titular)
Sven Van Haelst
Marc Kochzius
Activities and contact hours

18 contact hours Lecture
3 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content
  • planning a scientific diving project 

  • tethered diving, including blue diving & photo/video 

  • photogrammetry 

  • airlift, transect and rope work 

  • size estimation underwater (e.g. fish) 

  • lift-bags & small-scale cartography 

  • archaeology techniques & search methods 

  • coral reef monitoring 

  • night diving 

 

Additional info

The aim of the course is to obtain a theoretical background in Scientific Diving. In order to enter the course, specific requirements have to be fulfilled, which can be found in the course description at CANVAS. 

After successful completion of this course, there is the possibility to participate in the Belgian Scientific Diver (BSD) training, which is not part of this course, nor of the Oceans & Lakes curriculum. The 2-week BSD training takes place at the Marine Station of the University of Liège “Stareso” in Calvi, Corsica, France (www.stareso.ulg.ac.be/en). 

The maximum number of participants in the BSD training is limited. Therefore, a place in the BSD training after successful completion of this course cannot be guaranteed.  

In order to be able to participate in the BSD training, specific requirements have to be fulfilled. More information about these requirements and the application procedure is provided at https://www.belspo.be/belspo/NorthSea/diving_en.stm

Learning Outcomes

General A

Aim of the course is to obtain a theoretical background in Scientific Diving. The learning outcomes are following the European Scientific Diving Panel (ESDP) Consultation Document Number 1 “Common Practices for Recognition of European Competency levels for Scientific Diving at work”:  

  • Diving physics and physiology, the causes and effects of diving related illnesses and disorders and their management.  

  • The specific problems associated with diving to and beyond 20 m, calculations of air requirements, correct use of decompression tables.  

  • Equipment, including personal dive computers and guidelines as to their safe use.  

  • Emergency procedures and diving casualty management.  

  • Principles of dive planning.  

  • Legal aspects and responsibilities relevant to scientific diving in Europe and elsewhere. 

  • Diving first aid, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and oxygen administration to diving casualties.  

  • SCUBA rescue techniques and management of casualties.  

  • The use and user maintenance of appropriate SCUBA diving equipment. 

  • Search methods.  

  • Survey methods, both surface and sub-surface, capable of accurately locating and marking objects and sites.  

  • The basic use of airbags and airlifts for controlled lifts, excavations and sampling.  

  • Basic rigging and rope work, including the construction and deployment of transacts and search grids.  

  • Underwater navigation methods using suitable techniques.  

  • Recording techniques.  

  • Acting as surface tender for a roped diver.  

  • Sampling techniques appropriate to the scientific discipline being pursued. 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Written Exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

There will be a written exam. 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management: Standaard traject
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity