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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, FullYear Fall Site, FullYear Spring Site, Spring
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: The School for Field Studies (SFS) 
  • **This program is currently not accepting applications.
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Language of Instruction: English Areas of Study: Anthropology, Biology, Caribbean Studies, Earth Science, Ecology, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, International Studies, Marine Science, Sciences, Sociology, Tourism, Zoology
Housing Options: Residence hall Program Type: Field-based program
Program Status: Colby-approved program Experiential learning opportunities: Field study, Research project
Program Description:

SFS TURKS & CAICOS: MARINE RESOURCE STUDIES (SEMESTER)

sfs tci


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

On the island of South Caicos, spectacular marine ecosystems are still largely untouched by tourism and development. Spend a semester among the island’s incredible marine life as you conduct field exercises and research to study coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangroves. Evaluate fisheries resources and policies, meet with local residents, and analyze the impacts of climate change on the island ecosystems. Finish the semester by designing an in-depth research project and collecting data to help community members balance their rights and needs with the island’s conservation goals.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
  • 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.

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 five-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 reefs, mangroves, and seagrass ecosystems
  • Marine protected areas
 

CORE SKILLS

  • Coral health assessment
  • Marine species identification
  • BRUVS surveys
  • Underwater transects and quadrats
  • Natural resource valuation
  • Research design and implementation
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Research 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
 


**This program is currently not accepting applications.