OVERVIEW

The teaching aims to provide an understanding of the wide range of disciplines (from Oceanography to Geology and Biology) that make use of sampling and survey techniques below the sea surface. It describes the main existing techniques and the tools available that allow humans to conduct research in the underwater marine environment. The teaching also aims to highlight the role and importance of scientific scuba diving in the study of the marine environment.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching will enable students to acquire the basic knowledge necessary to understand both historical and current techniques that allow humans to conduct research in the underwater marine environment. All available means for accessing the underwater world - whether autonomous or tethered - will be described. The characteristics of scientific scuba diving will be explained within the context of various disciplines (Physical and Chemical Oceanography, Geology, Biology, and Ecology), and the importance and necessity of scientific diving for studying the marine environment will be emphasized. Part of the teaching will also address issues related to workplace safety, risk assessment in scientific diving, and the training and ongoing education of scientific diving personnel.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will be able to:

· Define the methods by which humans access the underwater environment

· Distinguish between autonomous or tethered, manned or remotely operated, normobaric or hyperbaric systems

· Identify the characteristics of scientific diving within the various types of underwater activities: physical and chemical oceanography, geology, biology, and ecology

· Understand the regulatory framework for scientific diving at the national, European, and international levels

· Apply the basic knowledge acquired to plan research and monitoring activities in marine ecosystems

· Develop critical thinking skills through the analysis of scientific articles related to research and monitoring in the underwater marine environment

PREREQUISITES

No specific prerequisites are required to attend the teaching. Prior knowledge of scuba diving techniques and their characteristics is not necessary, as the teaching will include a brief introduction to the main techniques of autonomous scuba diving using self-contained breathing apparatus.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of lectures for a total of 16 hours (2 credits). During classes some examples of instruments for underwater sampling and surveying will be shown. Lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations. As no official textbook is adopted, class attendance is strongly recommended. Students will have access to course materials provided on Aulaweb.

The way lessons are taught may be modified due to emergencies that prevent in-person lessons from being held. In this case, classes will be held via the Teams platform using suitable substitute teaching tools.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The program of the teaching includes:

· The meaning and role of scientific scuba diving in environmental sciences

· Human access to the underwater environment

· Shallow and deep-water techniques

· Autonomous or tethered systems, manned or remotely operated, normobaric or hyperbaric systems

· Vessels for underwater scientific research

· Surface techniques: sampling and inspection methods

· Autonomous scuba diving techniques

· Overview of scuba diving techniques

· Characteristics of scientific diving within various disciplines: physical and chemical oceanography, geology, biology, and ecology

· National, European, and international regulations for scientific scuba diving

· Risk assessment in scientific diving

· Training and continuing education.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The adoption of a reference text is not envisaged. Copies of all the presentations used during classes and of the teaching material are available (downloadable from Aulaweb). The following texts can be consulted for some parts of the teaching program:

1) Gambi M.C., Doppiano M. (Eds.) 2003. Manuale di metodologia di campionamento e studio del benthos marino mediterraneo. Biologia Marina Mediterranea10 (s), 638 pp.

2) Colantoni P. 2007 L’immersione scientifica. Tecniche di indagine subacquea. Editrice La Mandragora, Imola.

3) Heine John N. (Ed) 2017. Scientific diving techniques. A practical guide for the research diver. 2nd edition. Best Publishing Company, 232 pp.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable visit: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test. Three questions will be asked on topics covered during the teaching and detailed in the syllabus.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the level of knowledge required for each topic will be provided at the beginning of the teaching and reiterated during the lectures. The oral exam will focus primarily on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to assess whether the student has achieved an adequate level of knowledge, and the ability to identify the main techniques and methodologies for underwater marine sampling and surveying, in relation to the specific needs and objectives of a research and monitoring program. The critical discussion of a sampling/survey methodology will be evaluated based on the student’s ability to identify the main existing methods, grounded in their understanding of the subject’s fundamentals, their ability to make connections between different topics, and their grasp of applied aspects. The ability to present topics clearly and using correct terminology will also be assessed.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department's disability liaison.