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The School for Field Studies – Marine Resource Studies (Outgoing Program)

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  • Locations: South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Program Terms: Fall, Spring
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: The School for Field Studies (SFS) 
  • Dates / Deadlines
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Study Abroad Advisor: Contact peeradvisors@wm.edu for your regional staff advisor







 Click here for a definition of this term Program Type: Outside Program
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English Click here for a definition of this term Housing Options: Standard Student Dorm
Program Description:

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
 

LEARN MORE

REQUEST INFORMATION

APPLY NOW


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 Instagram and Facebook
Watch student videos on YouTube and Vimeo
 

Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Approximate Decision Date (Subject To Change) Start Date End Date
Fall 2023 03/15/2023 04/01/2023 TBA TBA
Spring 2024 10/01/2023 11/01/2023 TBA TBA