Instructors: Karina Scavo Lord (kscavo@bu.edu) and Lizzie McNamee (emcnamee@bu.edu)

Next offering:

Fall 2025

Overview:

Scientific Diving is an advanced course that builds on the basics of diving to teach you to safely task load and conduct research underwater. The course covers DAN Diving First Aid for Professional Divers, field accident management, dive planning, physics, physiology, decompression theory, data collection techniques, and other topics.

Additional Costs and Considerations:

Prerequisites

Required Paperwork due ASAP for admission to Fall 2025 class.

(1) Medical Evaluation

If you have decided to earn your scientific diving authorization, your first step should be scheduling an appointment with your physician. Each course has a deadline for turning in the required paperwork and getting your appointment scheduled on time is key to completing the pool evaluation prior to enrollment. You will not be able to complete pool evaluations without physician approval.  

Send the Medical Evaluation to your physician ahead of the appointment.

  • Appendix 1 provides an overview and list of reference material for the examining physician.  
  • Appendix 2 lists the required tests and physician’s statement. The form must be signed by an MD or DO. Signatures by RNs or Pas will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct signature. Otherwise, it will not be accepted, and you are responsible for going back to your physician. 
  • Appendix 3 should be filled out by you and reviewed by your physician along with the required tests. Medicals submitted with contraindications to diving may be subject to additional testing. 
  • Appendix 4 provides a list of physicians in Massachusetts with training in hyperbaric medicine. You are not required to see them and can go to your primary care provider. If you decide to see a physician from the list, it your responsibility to check your health insurance network and coverage.  

Scientific diving researchers listed on an approved IBC or IACUC protocol will require a medical clearance from BU’s Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP). Learn more, or contact ROHP with any questions at 617-358-7647 or rohp@bu.edu.

(2) Medical Release

Complete the Medical Release. 

(4) Scientific Diving Program Application

BU Scientific Diving Program Application  

Complete the form including your information, Emergency Contact, and Overview of Diving Experience. If you are coming from another AAUS institution, please provide the Institution and Program information. Contact your Diving Safety Officer and have them send a Verification of Training and complete training record to the BU Diving Safety Officer. 

(5) Scientific Diving Program Waiver

The Scientific Diving Program Waiver is required for students.  

(6) Copies of C-Cards and Dive Logs

Provide copies or scans of your dive certification cards and dive logs. Dive logs meeting the minimum dive experience and recency requirements listed below must be provided. 

Pictures and image files will not be accepted.  

(7) Diving Experience Pre-requisites

    • A minimum entry level certification that meets ISO standards for autonomous diver such as PADI Open Water and NAUI SCUBA Diver. 
    • Certifications that require supervision according to ISO standards do not meet the minimum pre-requisites for MR533. Certifications requiring supervision include PADI Scuba Diver, NAUI Tandem Scuba Diver, NAUI Try Scuba Diver, and NAUI Passport Diver.  
    • An additional 12 dives beyond the entry level certification dives are required and six dives must be logged within the last year.  

All forms should be scanned and in PDF format and emailed to Lizzie McNamee at emcnamee@bu.edu.

Upon submission of completed forms, a pool evaluation must be successfully completed to be enrolled in the course. The pool evaluation consists of two parts:

Part 1 – Swim Evaluation

  • AAUS Swim Test
    • 400 yd swim in 12 minutes or less
    • 25 yd swim underwater
    • 25 yd tired swimmer transport
    • 10 minute tread water
  • 14 ft duck dive and exit from pool without use of a ladder

Part 2 – SCUBA Skills Checkout. All SCUBA gear will be provided by the program including a full orientation and review.
Upon successful completion of the water evaluation, students can enroll in the course. Priority will be given to faculty, research professors, postdoc, staff, and graduate students with research needs that will require the use of SCUBA. Remaining seats in the course are open to all students.
Required Gear

  • 7mm Full Wetsuit with hood or hooded vest
  • Gloves
  • Booties
  • Heel Strap Fins
  • Mask
  • Gear Bag

Provided with the course: regulator set, buoyancy compensation device, computer, compass, weight system, and cylinders.

Swim and Dive Resources

  • If you are not sure about your swimming skills, FitRec has open swim hours for you practice before pool sessions are scheduled.
  • FitRec offers adult swim lessons.
  • MR 533 Scientific Diving is an advanced diving course that builds on the basics and foundations of SCUBA diving. If you have not logged any dives in the last 12 months, you can take a refresher course with any dive shop, take an advanced diving course, and join dives led by the shop to meet the pre-requisites.