GoDive Equipment Program

The GoDive Equipment Program aims to increase gear access to a broader range of students and staff by providing sets of SCUBA regulators, BCDs, dive computers, gauges, dive weights, and wet/drysuits for eligible applicants for BIOE75, research, and other diving activities. More information on the GoDive program here.

Why Choose Our Scientific Diving Course?

Our scientific diving course is designed for curious minds, proactive spirits, and aspiring marine scientists seeking to explore the underwater world. This course provides a comprehensive and rigorous, hands-on learning experience. As a scientific diver, you will learn essential safety standards, basic ecological sampling techniques commonly employed in underwater ecology research, and gain familiarity with specialized equipment and techniques. 

 These skills are not only critical for marine researchers but are also highly valued in various scientific disciplines and in other EEB field courses and independent research courses that involve SCUBA (BIOE 161/L; BIOE 159A,B,C,D; 183L; 193; 195).

 The course involves lecture, pool, and ocean sessions, all presented synchronously in person. Divers who complete the course may receive a Scientific Diver certification through AAUS, an optional Enriched Air Nitrox certification and are eligible for Scientific Diving authorization under UCSC auspices.

BIOE75 is offered twice per year, in two different formats. You can see sample schedules for the condensed (pre-fall quarter) course and spring quarter-long formats in the course Syllabus and past Schedules

Requirements 

• You must have Basic (Open Water), Advanced, and Rescue Diver certifications prior to BIOE75. 

• You must provide copies of your last 12 dive logs including evidence of diving experience in temperate ocean conditions within the last 6 months

• You must also be certified in diver first aid (CPR/AED, First Aid, Oxygen administration)

• You must be medically cleared to SCUBA dive under AAUS/UCSC standards (UCSC Diving Medical Packet)

• All divers need to be members of the Divers Alert Network (DAN), insurance is highly encouraged. 

• All trainees must complete the AAUS eLearning Scientific Diver Course

• Trainees must also satisfy the water skills evaluation which includes swimming, skin-diving and SCUBA skills.

Recommendations 

1. Decide which Progression Of Classes you wish to take and review the Fall and Spring Calendars and review the Course Information Sheet. For information about the Athletics and Recreation SCUBA Reimbursement Program, see the announcement here. 

2. Review the Syllabus. BIOE75 is a prerequisite for SCUBA diving research and courses. Please see the following planning guide regarding UCSC's  Marine Field Biology Classes for the 2024 and 2025 academic years. 

3. Print and complete the Medical Forms. Obtain your doctor's signature and the Health Center signature if exam not performed at the Health Center.

4. Review Equipment Hints and prepare your equipment, and/or apply to the GoDive program if you need to borrow gear. More information here.

5. Complete an Application by the application deadline, June 1st, 2025. NOTE: you will need to log-in with your UCSC account to submit an application. Once submitted, the application is editable and you can update documents as needed.

Medical clearance and other required documents must be submitted electronically as part of your BIOE75 application. If you have a medical condition (typically diabetes or asthma) that may be considered a contraindication to diving, please contact Diving Safety <divingsafety@ucsc.edu> so that we can discuss your options.