Courses

Course Code: PEN 2930

3 Credits, 45 Contact Hours

Course Description:

The Sea|mester Seamanship course consists of both theoretical and practical modules and gives a basic understanding of the knowledge that is required to be an active crew member on board a yacht, whether power or sail. More advanced modules are aimed at increasing a student's nautical knowledge sufficiently to be a watchkeeper on board a bareboat yacht, or a flotilla skipper in fair weather, in daylight hours within sight of land.

Students will become safe boaters and be prepared to meet boating challenges. With this knowledge, they will have a lifelong source of recreation with safe, environmentally-friendly activities. Specific objectives include the fundamentals of small boat handling, chart reading, rules of the road, rigging, safety and regulations.

Specific Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will possess the knowledge and ability to...

• Navigate a modern sea-going sailing vessel, using both traditional and modern methods
• Understand and be prepared for possible safety considerations related to ocean voyaging
• Show full understanding of world weather patterns, including ways to forecast and route for weather while voyaging
• Operate, understand and maintain all shipboard equipment, including the auxiliary propulsion systems, electronics and sailing gear

Course Code: SLS 2261

3 Credits, 45 Contact Hours

Course Description:

The development of leadership skills requires more than lecturers, reading assignments and discussions which occur in the normal classroom setting. It requires a learning environment that encourages new behaviors, that builds confidence in each person's ability to achieve and that reinforces newly acquired skills. The leadership workshops on board create this environment in three ways: students learn by doing, they receive feedback from peers and trained facilitators, and they become members of a strong support system which remains throughout the voyage and their lives. This particular course focuses on introducing the skills that are the foundation of leadership development: basic communication, self-disclosure, consensus-seeking and group participation, co-operation and competition.

This course will focus on experiential learning and the practice of leadership skills, communication patterns, group dynamics, consensus seeking and problem solving. This course will be taught in modules, formatted as a mini-workshop series.

Specific Course Objectives:

By participating in this academic course...

• Each person will practice basic communication skills in group and one-on-one exercises.
• Each group will participate in a problem-solving activity and experience the importance of each group member's contributions.
• Each participant will give and receive feedback to and from other participants.
• Each participant will apply the workshop experience to their setting at Sea|mester and later at home and college.

Course Code: OCE 1001

3 Credits, 45 Contact Hours

Course Description:

This course is intended for non-science majors as an introduction to the scientific study of the oceans, their boundaries and their contents. It covers geological, chemical, physical and biological oceanography in addition to marine management.

Topics include history and tools of oceanography, plate tectonics, bathymetry and sediments, seawater characteristics and properties, the distribution of gases and nutrients, the transmission of energy through seawater, major ocean circulation patterns and currents, characteristics of deep and shallow water waves, tides, interaction of the atmosphere with the oceans, marine organisms and adaptations, marine habitats, marine trophic structures, ocean resources, exploitation and politics.

The course includes field experiences in marine habitats, experience using oceanographic tools, identification of marine organisms, constructing an artificial reef, routine survey of the health of a coral reef within a marine park.

Specific Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will possess the knowledge and ability to...

• Identify the major ocean basins and features of the coastline
• Know the field techniques and tools of oceanography
• Explain the theories of continental drift and plate tectonics
• Understand the types and origins of marine sediments and the overall structure of the ocean basins
• Describe the chemical properties and characteristics of seawater
• Determine the salinity and dissolved oxygen of seawater
• Understand the distribution of gases and nutrients in seawater
• Explain how light, sound and heat are transmitted through seawater
• Identify basic characteristics of deep and shallow water waves
• Have a basic understanding of the formation of tides
• Describe basic interactions of the atmosphere

Course Code: OCB 1001

3 Credits, 45 Contact Hours

Course Description:

Introduction to Marine Biology is intended for non-science majors as an introduction to the scientific study of marine biology. The objectives of the course is to give a detailed introduction to the study of marine organisms, their environment and the interactions which occur between them.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to identify and name common marine organisms local to the study areas, including their distinctive diagnostic anatomical features. They will be able to understand and/or undertake and perform underwater research as well as describe the important relationships which exist between organism and environment and how these may vary by region and time of year. They will demonstrate a full understanding of theoretical ecological concepts and relate them to observations made in the field. Major topics covered include

Specific Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will possess a well-rounded understanding of the following:

• The Marine Organisms: Evolution, adaptation, biology and anatomy of vertebrate and invertebrate sea creatures, including the phylogenetic system and taxonomy.
• The Environment: Basic ecological concepts, comparisons of local marine habitats, such as coral reefs and mangroves and the study of their associated biotic communities; theories on community structure.
• The Present & Future: Marine resources, stability and management, the impact of humans on the marine environment.

Course Code: PEP

Credits and contact hours vary

Course Description:

Any Sea|mester is a voyage of discovery and we understand and support the fact that some enrolling or repeat students may have academic needs that are not satisfied by our standard classes offered through SCF. The PEP class is designed to fill that gap, and students may select from one of the following three options:

• Enrolling with the University of Florida Flexible Learning Department to undertake correspondence courses. This is our preferred method and students should see below for details.
• Undertake a correspondence or approved self-directed study course through their home institution.
• Self-designed (and Sea|mester approved) self-study course. In this case, students are required to submit a project outline for review, which must include the project title, goals and instructional methods, as well as desired outcomes. Should the Personal Educational Project be accepted, students then need to provide our staff with acceptable methods of evaluation prior to joining the program. All projects will be considered, whether it is language development, photojournalism or anything in between.

UF Correspondence Courses

Before a student embarks on the UF Correspondence Course selection and enrollment process, they should first talk to their current adviser. That way, they can be sure that:

• The classes selected will meet any academic requirements that their school might have.
• The classes selected will transfer easily to their current program.

Class Selection and Enrollment

Interested students should contact the Sea|mester office to express their desire to enroll for UF classes so that we can help you through the process outlined below.

• Students should first select their classes from the table shown below. We have pre-selected these options as we feel that they mesh well with the educational goals of our program. However, should none of the classes fit with the needs or interests of a student, then we encourage them to review the entire course range at the University of Florida Correspondence Study website at: http://www.correspondencestudy.ufl.edu. Students can then suggest other classes accordingly. Please note that students may select 'Print Based' courses only. Due to our limited access to the Internet we are not able to support 'Internet Based' courses.
• In all cases, Sea|mester staff will coordinate UF enrollment so as to ensure that the student receives and carries all of the correct class material to the program.
• During the program, students will have a Sea|mester staff member designated as their Proctor for the duration of the class. Their role is to aid the student in the coordination of the class, including helping to plan and schedule the class and UF class assignments as well as administer the UF exams.
• While aboard, UF Correspondence Courses are conducted primarily through print media. For the most part, assignments and exams will be completed electronically and uploaded to the UF website by Internet.
• Students and their Proctors are able to follow progress throughout the program by emailing with the UF instructors and downloading their graded assignments.
• Upon completion of the course, credits will be earned through the University of Florida and a transcript will be issued through UF.

Course Code: PSCT

Professional Training Course

Course Description:

Beyond the core Basic Seamanship class, the Professional Skipper & Crew Training course has been constructed specifically for students with a strong desire to expand their personal knowledge and proficiency in seamanship to a very high standard. It is ideally suited for those seeking to embark on a career in the professional yachting industry. This course is unique in that our students voyage full-time aboard the sailing vessel, allowing them to learn, develop, consolidate and practice their theoretical and practical training on a daily basis. Our experiential instruction also allows additional modules, such as extensive mile building and sea time logging, as well as practical safety training and yacht maintenance, to be incorporated into our course. All of the certifications included in this course are issued through International Yachtmaster Training, as IYT offers the only global standard in professional yachting certifications.

No previous experience is necessary, yet a student's level of certification achievement will ultimately be determined by their individual ability, motivation and aptitude. This course is taught in conjunction with our Basic Seamanship class, providing a step-by-step approach from novice up through advanced practical and theoretical modules. All enrolling students, particularly those with limited or no previous experience, should be aware that completion of the PST course does not guarantee completion of the IYT professional certifications. Students failing to achieve all the standards required by the IYT program will be unable to progress to the examination module.

Please note that to qualify for the IYT Master of Yachts 200 Ton Coastal and/or Offshore certification, students must subsequently enroll for an additional 5-day practical and examination program through an IYT partner school. Students should also be aware that STCW '95 (Standards of Training Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers) is required by law in most countries for professional mariners. All students must complete this 5-day certification course prior to official issuance of IYT Master of Yachts 200 Ton certificate. Please call our Florida office for further information.

Course Code: N/A

Credits available through ACE

Certifications Offered:

All Sea|mester voyages offer students the opportunity to initiate or further their scuba diving skills and certifications through the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) program. These courses, which range from the introductory Open Water certification to the first professional level Divemaster, also offer the opportunity for college credit recommendations through the American Council on Education, College Credit Recommendation Service (please refer to the accreditation section for further details).

Scuba diving and scuba diving certifications are included in the program tuition for any Sea|mester voyage 40 days and longer. While the tuition for the 20-day voyage does not include the cost of scuba diving, there are various options for those that want to either learn, or build on their scuba skills. Please refer to the FAQ section within those specific trip pages for more information on this optional scuba package

Depending upon prior experience, Sea|mester is able to teach the following courses:

Course Code: N/A

Vocational / Professional Courses

Certifications Offered:

By joining any of our programs, Sea|mester students will be involved in extensive near-coastal, offshore and even ocean voyaging. Sea|mester is an IYT (International Yachtmaster Training) Partner School. We teach through the IYT International Yachting Passport global scheme, a modular training program that is designed to develop skills from beginner through to the professional level. Students will be able to follow up with additional training at any other IYT affiliate location worldwide.

Depending upon prior experience, Sea|mester is able to teach the following courses: