Course Coordinators
Prof. Roi Holzman, Faculty of Life Sciences and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History Tel Aviv University and the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences Eilat.
Dr. Yonathan Shaked, The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat .
Nahum Sela, The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat .
Lecturers
Dr. Yonathan Shaked, The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat .
Nahum Sela, The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat .
Ariel Auslander.
Dr. Tal Amit, Faculty of Life Sciences , Tel Aviv University.
Tom Peled.
Course Brief Description
Course objectives:
Fieldwork at sea is a major pillar in the marine sciences, and requires specific tools and skills, which are not taught in the general curriculum. Proper fieldwork is mandatory in terms of safety, improves the quality and quantity of data collected, thus improving the quality of research. The course will teach the principles of scientific diving, including the acquisition of advanced research methods and abilities that will be used by divers in their research, and will include the acquisition of the basics of scientific diving according to the American diving organization AAUS.
Course Structure
This is an intensive 10-day course, which will be given at the Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences. The course will be divided into two parts: the first part will focus on diving skills, the principles of safe diving, the medicine and physiology of diving, and advanced diving planning. The second part will focus on diving research methods. The two parts will combine lectures and field exercises.
The study days include lectures, sampling at sea, and computerized data analysis. Typical study days are long and continuous, often from early morning until late evening. At the end of each topic, participants present the results of the exercises and sampling. The work during the course is in small groups and in pairs.
Key topics covered in the course:
- Principles of scientific diving, diving procedures of the AAUS organization, aspects of nature conservation in underwater scientific work.
- Physics, physiology and medicine of diving. First aid and diving rescue. Planning and researching a dive.
- Common working methods: surveys, photographs, collection of biological samples, placement and collection of instruments, water sampling, sediment sampling, drilling
- Principles of underwater navigation and mapping
- Principles and considerations in collecting data underwater.
Course Prerequisites:
Please note that those coming to the course are physically prepared. At the beginning of the course it will be necessary to pass a test dive to be conducted by the diving officer and also a water skills test (without fins and suit): diving to 25 meters, swimming 400 meters in less than 12 minutes, grounding in water for 2 minutes (elbows out of water), towing a person to a distance of 25 meters.
The course requires:
Diving license for at least two stars (or equivalent)
Medical examination by a diving doctor (should be valid)
Insurance with coverage for scientific diving (can be done at the institute)
Grading Structure
The course grade will be determined based on:
- A preparatory exercise to be given before the course starts and be submitted at the opening of the course: 20%
- Presentation and presentation of data: 32%
- Four exams (each 12 points) 48%.
The course also confers the certification of a scientific diver on behalf of the AAUS organization
The course is limited to 14 students, Master and PhD students only. Admission to the course requires a recommendation from the academic supervisor that the course is necessary for the student's research.
Language
English. Reports can be submitted in English or Hebrew