Scientific Diving Certificate Program
The mission of the Scientific Diving Certificate at the College of Coastal Georgia is to prepare students for careers that utilize Scientific Diving through student-centered, experiential learning. Graduates will have dive training that will enable them to become certified as Scientific Diver.
What will I learn?
By completing this certificate, students, employers, and future employers will know, understand, and be able to apply safe diving practices and proper scientific diving procedures which meet or exceed current industry Scientific Diving Standards. This certification can be completed by taking the following three courses in one summer (Table 1).
Table 1. Scientific Diving Certificate Course Progression
Session/Course | Course Description |
Maymester, | Students will learn basic skills necessary to begin AAUS Scientific Diver Training; skills such as: oxygen administration, CPR, AED, and First-Aid training will be gained in addition to an introduction to the field of scientific diving. (Includes 2 pool days for dive training). |
Summer Session I, ENVS 4601 | Students will gain the skills necessary to conduct proper Scientific Dives in the field. Students will create a research proposal that applies proper scientific diving techniques. (Includes a 3-day, 2-night camping trip and 6 field training dives). |
Summer Session II, ENVS 4602 | Students will actively engage in environmental research including field and statistical methods with a focus on coastal marine environments. (Includes a 3-day, 2-night camping trip and 6 scientific field dives). |
Why study Scientific Diving at Coastal Georgia?
The instruction for this Scientific Diving training program is conducted in partnership with LG2 Environmental Solutions. LG2 is an environmental company that contracts with federal and private agencies to assess, consult on, and manage environmental resources. Scientific Dive training with LG2 provides students the opportunity to learn from professionals in the field and apply their in-classroom knowledge of Environmental Science. Furthermore, unique to Coastal Georgia is the low-cost to in-state and neighboring state students. (Table 2).
Table 2. Estimated Expenses for the Certificate Program (not including tuition).
Cost | Rate | # of Units | Total |
Equipment Use Fee | $50.00/course | 1 | $50.00 |
Oxygen Administration | $140.00/course | 1 | $140.00 |
CPR/AED/First-Aid | $107.00/course | 1 | $107.00 |
DAN membership & Dive Insurance | $80.11/membership | 1 | $80.11 |
Rental Gear (Weekday) | $40.00/day | 2 | $80.00 |
Rental Gear (Weekend) | $90.00/weekend | 2 | $180.00 |
Rental Tanks & Refills | $17.00/fill | 10 | $170.00 |
Transportation | $134.00/person | 1 | $134.00 |
Meals (Sessions I & II) | $59.00/day | 6 | $355.00 |
Lodging (Camping Sites) | $5.00/night | 4 | $20.00 |
Diving Instructional Fees | $1,663.00/student | 1 | $1,663.00 |
Total | $2,979.11 |
*Note: For Coastal Georgia and USG enrolled students, total course fees = $1,200. For all other participants, total course fees = $3,000.
What can I do when I graduate?
By participating in the Scientific Diving Certificate Program at Coastal Georgia, graduates will be recognized as meeting the standard for performing scientific diving/research tasks by institutions and organizations throughout the United States and in many countries. Sufficient completion of the certificate program provide evidence that a student can not only perform scientific diving/research tasks, but can also think about and interpret the data in a meaningful way. Students will be able to provide evidence (from a final project) that they can propose and execute a research project that can further our understanding of the field of Marine Science. These skills can be applied to graduate studies, work in industry and/or work with local, state, and federal government agencies with regards to environmental consulting, research, surveying, and restoration.
Dr. Kimberly Takagi Named Advisor of the Year
Dr. Takagi received the honor at the College’s Fall 2023 Launch event. She has also won Professor of the Year.
Contact Information:
Dr. Kimberly Takagi
Kimberly Takagi is a marine environmental scientist and educator. She is particularly interested in coastal ecosystem dynamics and the role of marine invertebrates (crabs, snails, oysters, mussels, etc.) in carbon and nutrient biogeochemical cycling. In her courses, she strives to facilitate learning by immersing students in field and laboratory research approaches. She strives to develop students’ abilities to critically think about environmental processes through student-collected data and course-based research projects.