Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 2.6 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application review
- Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
- One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science is strongly recommended
- BIOL 110 is strongly recommended for Eberly College of Science student applicants
- Swimming is an integral part of the academics of this program. Applicants who are not able to pass a swim test (100 meters/~328 feet of swimming and 10 minutes treading in open water) should contact the Education Abroad Adviser to discuss options.
Program Description
SFS programs in the Turks and Caicos Islands take place largely in the coral reefs, cays, and waters surrounding the islands, but time is also spent above-ground in the ecosystems and communities on the islands themselves. Courses and fieldwork focus on key environmental issues faced here such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, environmental policy, and fisheries management. These marine ecosystems are critical to the fisheries-driven local economy, but are under enormous pressure from coastal development, a rising demand for seafood, and the impacts of climate change. SFS research plays an important role in supporting Turks and Caicos residents and government authorities as they work to balance economic need with the preservation of irreplaceable natural resources. Students can participate in one or both sessions and will earn 4 credits per session. PADI SCUBA certifications are available on both sessions of this program.
Summer Session I: Fundamentals of Marine Conservation
Dive under the waves and study marine conservation. Explore the spectacular reefs and turquoise waters of South Caicos, snorkeling or diving with rays, turtles, brilliantly colored fish, and other marine life. In this fundamentals course, you’ll learn about the environmental issues and policies affecting these ecosystems and the island community, and gain the skills needed to conduct marine research. Lay underwater transects to assess the health of the island’s coral reefs, which are among the largest in the world and are home to diverse marine species including the valuable queen conch.
Summer Session II: Marine Megafauna
Spend your summer studying sharks, turtles, and rays in the waters surrounding the island of South Caicos. In this specialized course, you’ll learn about the ecology and conservation of these and other marine megafauna through in-water field lectures, snorkel or dive sessions, and video tracking exercises. Deploy Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS) and collect video footage of sharks and other predators to analyze species abundance and diversity inside and outside protected areas.
This academically rigorous program follows a six-day/week schedule. The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to help students actively discover and understand the complexities of environmental, social, and economic issues in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Major academic themes include marine ecology and conservation, climate change and ocean acidification, marine protected areas, coastal management, marine resource management strategies, large fauna behavior and tracking, and sustainable tourism and fisheries practices.
Dates
Summer Session I: early June - early July
Summer Session II: early July - early August
Refer to the program website for the specific dates, if available.
Location
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. Center amenities include:
- Dorm living in 4-6 person bunkrooms
- Small, open campus with direct access to the ocean
- Air-conditioned classroom and computer lab
- Open-air dining space, and on-site cooking staff
- Dock, dive shack, and small fleet of research boats
- Volleyball, hammocks, and swimming pool overlooking the ocean
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a limestone archipelago lying at the southeastern tip of the Bahamian archipelago, approximately 575 miles (925 km) southeast of Miami and 100 miles (170 km) north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and 888 miles (1,430 km) northwest of Puerto Rico. The total land area of the island complex is about 166 square miles (430 km2). The islands are ancient coral seamounts that have been periodically exposed and covered by changes in sea level. South Caicos lies at the southeastern edge of the Caicos Bank and is approximately 12 square miles (32 km2, maximum elevation = 157 feet; 48 m).
Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation
In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Penn State Global website.
