Boston University Affiliated Programs
Sea Education Association
The Sea Education Association (SEA) offers programs that provide academic and practical experiences leading to an interdisciplinary understanding of the oceans from a wind-driven sailing ship. SEA accepts students from all majors.
SEA Semester: Ocean Exploration
begins with three 3-credit courses in the six-week shore component in Woods Hole, Massachusetts: CAS NS 221, 222, and 223. The second half of the program is the six-week sea component (two 4-credit courses: XAS NS 225 and 226). Semesters begin every two months throughout the year.
SEA Summer Session
This eight-week program is the summer version of SEA Semester. It consists of three 3-credit courses (CAS NS 221, 222, and 223), which are taught both on shore in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and at sea, and one 3-credit course at sea (CAS NS 224).
SEA Semester: Oceans and Climate
This 18-credit semester for upper-level science students focuses on the role of the oceans in setting the Earth’s climate, with particular attention to ocean carbon cycling. During the shore component, students are guided by SEA faculty and visiting Distinguished Lecturers from across the country in their study of oceanographic processes, and in the design of an independent research project to be carried out during the 6-week research cruise. In addition, students study the connections between ocean science and public policy, and learn the skills necessary to operate a sailing research vessel. At sea, students carry out all functions of the sailing research vessel and gain practical experience in offshore oceanographic research. Students take a total of five courses: CAS NS 223, 320, 321, 324, and 325. Students take CAS NS 223, NS 320, NS 321, and in Woods Hole, followed by XAS NS 324 and NS 325 at sea.
SEA Semester: Documenting Change in the Caribbean
In this 17-credit semester, the shore component concentrates on islands visited during the cruise, examining them for changes in ecosystems, population dynamics, and economic bases over the last 500 years. Students take a total of five courses: CAS NS 221, 223, 224, 322, and 323.
SEA Semester: Sustainability in Polynesian Island Cultures and Ecosystems
The impacts of environmental change are being felt all over the globe, affecting people and ecosystems in even the most remote locations. The small islands of French Polynesia serve as a laboratory for studying those effects in this 17-credit semester beginning on the SEA Woods Hole campus and continuing at sea. Credit will be earned in the following five courses: CAS NS 221, 222, 223, 322, and 323.
For more information on application and tuition, please contact the Sea Education Association; in writing: SEA, P.O. Box 6, Woods Hole, MA 02543; 1-800-552-3633; website: www.sea.edu; email: admission@sea.edu.
Courses
- CAS NS 221 Oceanography
- CAS NS 222 Maritime Studies
- CAS NS 223 Nautical Science
- CAS NS 224 Practical Oceanographic Research
- XAS NS 225 Practical Oceanography I
- XAS NS 226 Practical Oceanography II
- CAS NS 320 Ocean Science and Policy
- CAS NS 321 Oceans in the Global Carbon Cycle
- CAS NS 322 Maritime History and Culture
- CAS NS 323 Marine Environmental History
- XAS NS 324 Oceanographic Field Methods
- XAS NS 325 Directed Research in Oceans and Climate
For course descriptions, see the Academics section on the SEA website.
The School for Field Studies
The School for Field Studies (SFS) is the country’s oldest educational institution exclusively dedicated to offering environmental field study programs abroad. All SFS participants receive credit from Boston University, which accredits SFS programs. SFS offers a rigorous, hands-on, interdisciplinary experience that includes lectures, field exercises, research, community service projects, and field trips. Students live at the field stations while working on research to support local communities and stakeholders in achieving sustainable development goals.
SFS has permanent field stations around the world: the Center for Sustainable Development Studies in Costa Rica, the Center for Marine Resource Studies in the Turks & Caicos Islands, the Center for Wildlife Management Studies in Kenya and Tanzania, the Center for Coastal Studies in Mexico, and the Center for Rainforest Studies in Australia. In addition to these field stations, SFS also offers an Eastern Himalayan program in Bhutan.
Semester programs offer 16 or 18 credit hours with core courses in ecology, resource management, and socioeconomic issues related to environment and development. A research course introduces students to the process of applied field research, and in East Africa, Costa Rica, and Mexico students take an additional language and culture course for 2 credits.
Program information and applications are available from The School for Field Studies Admissions Office, 10 Federal Street, Suite 24, Salem, MA 01970-9935; 800-989-4418 or online at www.fieldstudies.org.
