CONNECT WITH SFS
MARINE RESOURCE STUDIES,
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
PROGRAM DETAILS
- Terms: Fall, Spring
- Credits: 16 semester-hour credits
- Prerequisites: One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science; 18 years of age
- Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. Early applications encouraged
- Financial Aid: All accepted students can apply for need-based scholarships, grants, and loans
OVERVIEW
Snorkeling and scuba diving in the waters surrounding South Caicos, students learn field research and monitoring techniques to identify and assess the health of a wide range of marine organisms and habitats. Students learn to identify and observe the behavior of marine species, assess coastal and marine habitats, quantify fisheries resources, and analyze implications of fishery policies. Students evaluate the concept and practice of marine protected areas (MPAs) as a resource management tool.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Learn about tropical marine ecology, evaluate fisheries management and policies, and practice field research skills in one of the most pristine marine habitats in the tropical Western Atlantic
- Scuba dive and snorkel for fish, coral, seagrass, and mangrove identification exercises
- Excursion to neighboring Providenciales, Middle Caicos, and North Caicos: tour aquaculture operations and desalination plants; explore the caves and bat colonies of Middle Caicos; discover the tropical dry forests of North Caicos; absorb local ecological knowledge of bush medicines and foods; study the rich cultural history of the territory
DIRECTED RESEARCH
Through Directed Research (DR)—as opposed to basic, applied, or independent research—students conduct research on a specific topic that is part of the SFS Center’s long-term strategic research plan, which has been developed in partnership with local community stakeholders and clients.
The course, taught by resident SFS faculty, provides students with the opportunity to apply the scientific process in a mentored field research project that addresses a local environmental issue. Through the DR project, students contribute to a growing body of scientific research that informs local conservation and resource management decisions.