TURKS AND CAICOS SEMESTER: MARINE RESOURCE STUDIES
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
Spend a semester on the island of South Caicos, where spectacular marine ecosystems are largely untouched by tourism and development – for now. Don your wetsuit and conduct research on coral reefs, seagrass meadows, underwater mangroves, and a host of marine life. Evaluate fisheries resources and policies while collecting data that helps community members balance their rights and needs with the island’s conservation goals.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
- Go snorkeling and/or diving in the clear waters around South Caicos to conduct marine species identification and coral bleaching exercises.
- Tag sea turtles in the field and collect morphological data to gain an understanding of behavior and population dynamics.
- Take an excursion to the islands of Middle and North Caicos to explore the variety of ecosystems in TCI, including caves, tropical forests, and protected wetlands.
THE FIELD STATION:
SFS students live and study at the Center for Marine Resource Studies. 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 5-minute walk brings you to the small, historic town of Cockburn Harbour, where students and faculty frequently engage in community activities.
RESEARCH THEMES
- Climate change and ocean acidification
- Tourism impacts
- Commercial fisheries
- Coral health and resilience
- Marine protected areas
- Environmental education
FIELD SKILLS
- Coral health assessment
- Marine species identification
- Acoustic tracking
- Research design
- Data collection
- Scientific writing and presentation
CONNECT WITH SFS
Visit the
SFS website
Call the Admissions Hotline at 800.989.4418
Email
admissions@fieldstudies.org
Read updates from the field on the
SFS Blog
Follow SFS on
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Watch student videos on
YouTube and
Vimeo
