semester

Turks & Caicos Islands

Marine Resource Studies

At A Glance

15 Weeks | 16 Credits
Spring 2020

Jan 27 - May 6

Open

Fall 2020

Aug 31 - Dec 11

Open

Prerequisites

One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science

Sample Itinerary
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Marine Resource Studies

South Caicos Island

Learn to live on island time. Spend a semester on the island of South Caicos, where spectacular marine ecosystems are still largely untouched by tourism and development. Don your wetsuit and get to know a host of marine life while conducting research on coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangroves. Evaluate fisheries resources and policies while collecting data that helps community members balance their rights and needs with the island’s conservation goals.

  • Go snorkeling and diving in the clear waters around South Caicos to conduct marine species identification exercises and parrotfish surveys
  • Visit the Grotto and Shark Alley to see eagle rays up close, and study their behavior and population dynamics using photo tracking
  • Take an excursion to the islands of Middle Caicos, North Caicos, and Providenciales to explore the variety of ecosystems in the TCI, including caves and protected wetlands
  • PADI SCUBA certifications are available on this program. Learn more here.
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‌Academics

This academically rigorous program follows a six-day/week schedule. The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to help students actively discover and understand the complexities of environmental, social, and economic issues in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Major academic themes include:

  • Marine ecology and conservation
  • Climate change and ocean acidification
  • Approaches to sustainable tourism and fisheries
  • Marine resource management
  • Traditional island livelihoods
  • Coral health and resilience
  • Marine protected areas
  • Coastal management

Courses

On the Marine Resource Studies program, you will take three 4-credit disciplinary courses and a 4-credit capstone Directed Research course. Courses are participatory in nature and are designed to foster inquiry and active learning. Each course combines lectures, field exercises, assignments, tests, and research. All courses are taught in English.

Click on each course to view a description and download the syllabus

SFS 3020 Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values 4 credits
SFS 3730 Tropical Marine Ecology 4 credits
SFS 3740 Principles of Resource Management 4 credits
SFS 4910 Directed Research 4 credits

Core Skills

You will gain practical skills in the field such as: coral health assessment, marine species identification, underwater transects and quadrats, video and photo tracking, marine survey techniques, habitat and biodiversity assessment, ecosystem services valuation, research design and implementation, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, research presentation, and PADI Open Water Diver certification (offered at an additional cost, upon request).

Field Sites

You will visit different ecosystems and communities which may include coral reefs, mangrove islands, seagrass beds, fishing communities, carbonate platform flats, beaches, marine protected areas, numerous shallow-water snorkeling sites, protected wetlands, caves on Middle Caicos Island, a historical plantation on North, and the tourist hub of Providenciales.

Resources

Directed Research

In the Directed Research course, each student completes a field research project under the mentorship of a faculty member – beginning with data collection and analysis and concluding with a research paper and presentation. Project subject areas span ecology, natural resource management, conservation science, environmental ethics, and socioeconomics.

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All program components are subject to change.

‌Life in the Field

The Center is a small converted hotel overlooking the crystalline waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Spectacular sunsets, open-air facilities, warm sunshine, and a refreshing ocean breeze define this marine field station. A five-minute walk brings you to the small, historic town of Cockburn Harbour, where students and faculty frequently engage in community activities.

  • Dorm living in 4-6 person bunkrooms
  • Small, open campus with direct access to the ocean
  • Air-conditioned classroom and computer lab
  • Open-air dining space, and on-site cooking staff
  • Dock, dive shack, and small fleet of research boats
  • Volleyball, hammocks, and swimming pool overlooking the ocean

 
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