SEA Semester Viewbook, 2016-2017

explore. dream. discover.

Environmental Studies in Woods Hole & at Sea

Erik Marks (Hamilton College) admires the sunset as the SSV Robert C. Seamans explores the Phoenix Islands Protected Area.

Photo: Tane Sinclair-Taylor

1

inside

2 Who We Are

4 Community & History

6 Upcoming Voyages

8 Atlantic Ocean Voyages

20 Pacific Ocean Voyages

32 Life on Shore & at Sea

34 Academic Credit

35 Course Breakdown

36 Course Descriptions

38 Value & Research

40 Our Faculty

42 Our Alumni

44 Admissions, Costs & Financial Aid

45 Affiliated & Sending Institutions

Voyages of discovery to Europe, the Caribbean, Polynesia & New Zealand.

“Twenty years from now

you will be more disappointed

by the things that you didn’t do

than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines. Sail

away from the safe harbor. Catch

the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Mark Twain

explore. dream. discover.

2

Why SEA Semester? The global ocean covers nearly three-quarters of Earth, yet

90% is largely unexplored. It provides half of the oxygen in

the atmosphere, regulates the planet’s climate, and delivers

food security for the world’s population. However, threats

such as climate change, marine pollution, habitat loss, and

overfishing jeopardize its health and sustainability.

Humans depend upon the ocean. The future of the ocean

depends upon you.

Sea Education Association (SEA) is an internationally

recognized leader in undergraduate ocean education.

Since 1971, we have equipped students with the tools

to become environmentally literate leaders prepared to

address the defining issue of the 21st century: the human

impact on the environment.

Our fully accredited study abroad program, SEA Semester®,

is the leading off-campus Environmental Studies program

focused on the ocean. Each program offers an intercon-

nected suite of courses designed to explore a specific

ocean-related theme using a cross-disciplinary approach.

We look for motivated undergraduates of all majors who

are passionate about learning, inspired to tackle and

address real-world problems, and eager to become part

of an unparalleled living and learning community.

SEA is based on Cape Cod in the oceanographic research

community of Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

The SEA Semester Difference Student-Centered Experiential Learning• The sailing adventure of a lifetime grounded in

academic coursework

• Cross-disciplinary living and learning communities

to suit all majors

• Practical skill building in a collaborative,

real-world environment

• Maximum student-teacher ratio of 8:1 on shore

and 3:1 at sea

Academic Excellence

• A multidisciplinary approach to global scale issues

• Authentic research experience in a variety of disciplines

• A full-time faculty with complementary visiting faculty

in specialized fields

• Transferable undergraduate credit from

Boston University, our School of Record

• Coursework that is designed to fit seamlessly into

major, minor, or elective requirements

Personal Growth

• Development of leadership, teamwork, problem

solving, and communication skills

• “Ship-Shipmate-Self”: awareness of one’s responsibility

within a given community and the world

• Increased confidence, self-awareness, and self-reliance

OVERVIEW WHO WE ARE


Photo: Camrin Braun

3

Explore. Dream. Discover. ExploreThe more you explore, the more you’ll discover. SEA

Semester prepares students to fully engage with the

ocean environment through on-shore coursework

followed by an open ocean sailing adventure. Our

programs encourage students from all academic majors

to learn more about this critical global resource from

the platform of a tall ship while exploring ports of call

in Europe, the Caribbean, Polynesia, or New Zealand.

Dream

SEA Semester is one of the most engaging and

challenging educational experiences undergraduates can

undertake. While any study abroad program can take

students to a new environment that pushes them beyond

their comfort zone, only SEA Semester takes them to

the most foreign environment on Earth: the open ocean.

Our alumni leave with newfound confidence, a stronger

sense of community, and increased skills in leadership,

teamwork, and communication.

Discover

SEA Semester provides an experiential opportunity to

gather firsthand knowledge that will influence students’

lifelong relationships with the ocean. As society becomes

more aware of how integral the oceans are to the planet,

we must also understand how to conserve these

important resources. Moving beyond the textbook toward

practical application, hands-on research, and personal

experience, SEA Semester prepares students to take a

more active role in solving today’s environmental problems.

Creating Ocean Scholars, Stewards, and Leaders Since 1971

sea changenoun: a big and sudden change: a change brought about by the sea

Are you ready for a SEA change?

*

*

OVERVIEW COMMUNITY & HISTORY

History of Woods Hole

Woods Hole, a village in the town of Falmouth,

Massachusetts, was settled in the late 17th century as

a farming and fishing community. With the rise of the

whaling industry in the early 1800s, Woods Hole became

a whaling station. At its height the small bustling town

was the home port of more than nine ships and boasted

processing facilities for both whale oil and whale bone,

along with the industries needed to prepare whaling

ships for long voyages on the high seas. In the mid-19th

century, as whaling became less profitable, the Pacific

Guano Works established a base in Woods Hole. Ships

brought back guano from islands in the Pacific Ocean and

the Caribbean to be turned into fertilizer. The latter half of

the 1800s saw the beginning of the Woods Hole scientific

community that exists today.

In 1871 the United States Commission of Fish and

Fisheries (the precursor of the National Marine Fisheries

Service) was established. Soon, visiting scientists were

studying local marine plants and animals, and a hatchery

was organized to stock rivers with shad, salmon, and

other fish. In 1888, a second institution, the Marine

Biological Laboratory (MBL), was established. For

almost 90 years MBL was solely a summer institution,

but since the 1970s it has housed a number of major

year-round programs.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), a

private nonprofit organization originally funded by the

Rockefeller Foundation, was incorporated in 1930 to

study all branches of oceanography. Since the organi-

zation planned much of its research for the deep sea, the

sailing research vessel Atlantis was built and used from

1931 to 1964. Today, WHOI’s research scientists study all

aspects of the ocean.

In 1962, a fourth institution, the U.S. Geological Survey,

headquartered its new Branch of Atlantic Marine Geology

in Woods Hole to investigate the geology and geophysics

of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean.

Sea Education Association relocated its headquarters to

the community in 1975. The Woods Hole Research Center,

an organization established to study the earth’s changing

climate, opened in 1985.

4

Photo: Doug Weisman, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

SSV Robert C. Seamans launched, 2001

BOSTON

WOODS HOLE, MASSACHUSETTS

Corwith “Cory” Cramer

5

SEA was founded in 1971 by a small group led by Corwith

“Cory” Cramer, Jr. and Edward “Sandy” MacArthur.

Cory was a leader and passionate advocate of learning

by doing. His idea was to create a program to give

undergraduates the opportunity to study the ocean from

a multitude of academic perspectives, and to do it from

the platform of a traditional sailing vessel.

Such a program would also bring attention to a vast and

largely unexplored discipline – the young field of marine

science – while offering each student the chance to live

and work in the ocean environment. Cory believed this

opportunity should be open to students of all majors:

the oceans would, he thought, provide the ideal context

in which to introduce future scientists to the fascinating

literary, philosophical, and political elements of our

maritime heritage. They would also offer an unparalleled

opportunity for non-scientists to develop keen observa-

tional and investigative skills.

SEA Semester is the result of Cory Cramer’s efforts and

those of his many friends and supporters. The earliest

SEA Semester programs were directed from headquarters

in Chicago and Boston. In 1975, Cory brought the organi-

zation and its original sailing vessel, the R/V Westward,

to Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a world-renowned center

of oceanographic teaching and research. Today, Sea

Education Association is a valued member of the Woods

Hole community and a recognized leader in education

under sail.

SEA has evolved dramatically over the years. In 1987,

the SSV Corwith Cramer was launched, and with it an

entirely new classification of research sailing vessel.

In 2001, the R/V Westward was replaced by the SSV

Robert C. Seamans, a state-of-the-art vessel that made

it possible to offer SEA Semester programs in the

Pacific as well as the Atlantic.

This tradition of innovation and improvement has

continued into the 21st century. Academic offerings have

expanded from a single program to a wide portfolio of

options, transporting students to ever-more remote parts

of the globe and spanning studies of the environmental

and social sciences. Student and faculty research has

also become internationally recognized, especially in

the area of plastic pollution, and contributed to what

the world knows about our vast oceans.

As we mark our 45th year of operations in

2016, SEA takes pride in our lasting legacy

as educators of tomorrow’s ocean scholars,

stewards, and leaders. We invite the next

generation to join us and experience

first-hand the excitement, challenges, and

rewards of our work!

SEA Semester students & crew, 1974

Corwith Cramer & Westward in Woods Hole

SEA Semester Alumni Reunion, 2008

Inaugural Global Ocean program, 2014

Celebrating 45 Years of Experiential Education

6

exploreStudy Abroad at Sea

SEA Semester programs embark on academic

research expeditions throughout the year to Europe,

the Caribbean, Polynesia, and New Zealand. On some

voyages, students sail thousands of miles across the

open ocean. On others, they investigate a smaller area of

the marine environment more closely, including stops at

international ports and island nations. All voyages offer an

immersive, integrated, and introspective experience that

is generated naturally from living and working aboard the

unique educational platform of a tall ship.

Safety is among our highest priorities on every voyage,

every day. SEA owns and operates the SSV Corwith

Cramer and the SSV Robert C. Seamans, both custom

designed and uniquely built educational platforms. Our

ships are inspected and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard

as U.S. flagged Sailing School Vessels (SSV); they are

required to meet stringent safety standards different from

those for passenger vessels on a comparable route.

Since 1971, SEA has continuously and thoughtfully honed

its safety policies and procedures to minimize risk to

program participants and personnel while achieving

programmatic goals. While we take pride in our safety

record, SEA regularly monitors and assesses our

personnel qualifications, training practices, safety policies,

and material condition of our equipment to maintain

safety as a priority within our programs and operations.

We operate under a philosophy of prevention but prepare

for and are capable of a broad spectrum of response.

OVERVIEW UPCOMING VOYAGES

To find your perfect SEA Semester program, visit

www.sea.edu/voyages Note: All voyages are preceded

by a shore component either in Woods Hole or abroad.

See program descriptions for details.

Within these few days at sea it makes sense why people have always loved to sail. Not only is it exhilarating to command a ship, but it truly is a whole new world on the water ready to amaze anyone daring to explore it.

Ali Png, University of California, Davis, Biology Major

The SSV Corwith Cramer and SSV Robert C. Seamans

meet or exceed the safety requirements for their U.S.

Coast Guard (USCG) and American Bureau of Shipping

(ABS) class designations and possess all required

equipment for navigation and emergency situation

response. Both ships carry comprehensive medical kits,

are assigned a designated medical officer and have

access to 24-hour shore-side health professional support

via satellite communications.

The foundation of a successful SEA Semester program

begins with the medical screening process. All students

are required to undergo a thorough physical examination

performed by a licensed medical practitioner within six

months of the start of the program. Additionally, we ask

that students disclose all medical information directly

related to their ability to perform essential duties as

required by our program structure at sea. We do this not to

discourage applicants or limit the number of students who

can participate in SEA Semester, but rather to best enable

our faculty and staff to provide an appropriate learning

environment both on shore and at sea. With adequate

lead-time, SEA can frequently facilitate appropriate risk

management for a wide variety of preexisting medical

conditions. We work with every student on an individual

basis to assess whether their participation in an at-sea

program can occur safely and effectively.

Over 1,231,500 nautical miles sailed since 1971 That’s almost 57 times around the globe or 5.9 trips to the moon!

http://www.sea.edu/voyages

HAWAII

FRENCH POLYNESIA

WESTERN EUROPE &THE MEDITERRANEAN

CARIBBEAN

FIJI &SAMOA

NEW ZEALAND

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA

7

Sail Schedule Pacific Ocean SSV Robert C. Seamans Atlantic Ocean SSV Corwith Cramer

Early Spring 2016 January - March

SEA Semester: The Global OceanNew Zealand: Auckland » Christchurch

SEA Semester: Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean St. Croix, USVI » Boca Chica, Dominican Republic

Spring 2016February - May (Pacific)March - June (Atlantic)

SEA Semester: Ocean ExplorationChristchurch, New Zealand » Tahiti

SEA Semester: Marine Biodiversity & ConservationSan Juan, Puerto Rico » Woods Hole

Summer I 2016 May - June

Pacific Reef Expedition4-weekPape’ete » Honolulu

Transatlantic Crossing 5-weekWoods Hole » Cork, Ireland

Summer II 2016June - August (Pacific)July - August (Atlantic)

Protecting the Phoenix Islands 8-weekHonolulu » American Samoa

Historic Seaports of Western Europe 4-weekCork, Ireland » Cádiz, Spain

Early Fall 2016 August - November

SEA Semester: Sustainability inPolynesian Island Cultures & EcosystemsAmerican Samoa » Auckland, New Zealand

SEA Semester: The Global OceanBarcelona, Spain » Canary Islands

Fall 2016September - December

SEA Semester: Ocean ExplorationNew Zealand: Auckland » Auckland

SEA Semester: Oceans & ClimateCanary Islands » St. Croix, USVI

Early Spring 2017January - March

SEA Semester: The Global OceanNew Zealand: Auckland » Auckland

SEA Semester: Colonization to Conservation in the CaribbeanSt. Croix, USVI » Boca Chica, Dominican Republic

Spring 2017 February - May (Pacific)March - June (Atlantic)

SEA Semester: The Global OceanNew Zealand: Auckland » Auckland

SEA Semester: Marine Biodiversity & ConservationSan Juan, Puerto Rico » Woods Hole

SEA SEMESTER VOYAGES & PROGRAM OFFERINGS 2016 – 2017

p. 22 p. 10

p. 24 p. 12

p. 14

p. 28 p. 15

p. 30 p. 16

p. 24 p. 18

p. 22 p. 10

p. 22 p. 12

This schedule is subject to change.

p. 26

http://www.sea.edu/destinations

http://www.sea.edu/voyages

discover8 The SSV Corwith Cramer passes Fastnet Rock lighthouse south of Cork, Ireland.

Voyages:

THE ATLANTIC OCEAN Western Europe,

Mediterranean, Caribbean

inside

10 Early Spring 2016 Early Spring 2017 Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean

12 Spring 2016 Spring 2017 Marine Biodiversity & Conservation

14 Summer 2016 Transatlantic Crossing Historic Seaports of Western Europe

16 Early Fall 2016 The Global Ocean

18 Fall 2016 Oceans & Climate

SSV Corwith Cramer

Specifications

Rig: Brigantine Displacement: 270 Tons Construction: Steel; built 1987 ASTACE Shipyard Bilbao, Spain Length Overall: 134 feet Length on Deck: 98 feet Draft: 12.5 feet Beam: 26 feet Sail Area: 7,500 Sq. Ft. Auxiliary Engine: 500 horsepower Cummins diesel Complement: 38 persons

Read student blogs from past voyages:

www.sea.edu/cramer_currents

discover

SEA Semester teaches you confidence and leadership in a very subtle way. You are constantly working as a team but yet looking back on it you really push yourself to the limit and make yourself a better and stronger person. Your mentality about the world truly changes after returning from sea and I don’t think any other study abroad program would affect me the same way. Natalia Widulinski, Northeastern University,

Environmental Science/Marine Science Major

9

http://www.sea.edu/cramer_currents

10

Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean Early Spring 2016: January - March

Early Spring 2017: January - March

ew places on Earth can compare with the natural beauty

and cultural diversity of the Caribbean Islands, making

the region a favored tourist destination for much of the

developed world. However, moving beyond the glossy veneer

of the pristine beaches, reefs, and resorts highlighted in tourist

brochures, students in this program will experience the multiple

and varied sides of the Caribbean—a blend of African, colonial

European, and indigenous culture creating a unique economic,

political, and social heritage. The Caribbean has experienced one

of the greatest environmental and human transformations of all

time. The conquest of indigenous cultures, exploitation of natural

resources, and development of slave plantation systems have

left a very visible legacy, yet each island embodies its own

resilient and hopeful community striving toward responsible

economic growth, social justice, and sustainable use of valued

natural resources.

Over the course of this comparative semester, students will

initially be introduced to the Caribbean through first-hand

historical accounts ranging from travel journals and illustrations

to navigational charts and ships’ logbooks. At sea, they will

have opportunities to confer with local experts and citizens,

participate in collaborative coral reef surveys, and engage in

their own field-based observations during several multi-day

port stops at selected islands. Each stop is planned to allow

students to delve deeper into the unique cultural and physical

environments and to deepen their knowledge of issues of

sustainability in the Caribbean.

Past student research projects have explored topics including

fisheries management, coral reef biodiversity, ecotourism, cruise

ship pollution, and gender in postcolonial societies. Students

will document and reflect upon their individual journeys in

field journals complete with gesture drawings, watercolor,

photography, and narratives.

FEarly Spring 2016

Early Spring 2017

St. Croix, USVI » Boca Chica,

Dominican Republic

Previous port stops have included Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and

St. Martin.

Who Should Apply? This change and adaptation focused

semester is appropriate for students in

any major who wish to understand the

legacies of colonization alongside the

modern issues of environmental change

and sustainability in small nations and

territories.

Courses & Credit Maritime History & Culture (300-level, 4 cr.)

Marine Environmental History

(300-level, 4 cr.)

Maritime Studies (200-level, 3 cr.)

Nautical Science (200-level, 3 cr.)

Oceanography (200-level, 3 cr.)

Academic Credit SEA Semester: Colonization to

Conservation in the Caribbean carries

17 semester hour credits from Boston

University for successful completion

of the program.

Illustration: Nicole Reasonda (Quinsigamond Community College)

The SSV Corwith Cramer underway near the Pitons, St. Lucia.

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/colonization_conservation_caribbean_spring2016

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/colonization_conservation_caribbean_spring2016

Both the ship and the surrounding seas proved a source of infinite information and inspiration. I could hardly imagine a better classroom. Chris Klein, Colorado College, English Major

11

Atlantic Ocean

PuertoRico

Bermuda

DominicanRepublic

Cuba

Jamaica

San Juan

St. Croix

USVI

Santiago

Port Antonio

Samana

BocaChica

Marine Biodiversity & Conservation Spring 2016: March - June

Spring 2017: March - June

12 Photo: Solvin Zankl Photography

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/marine_biodiversity_conservation_spring2016

ceans are the new frontier of conservation. Scientists

estimate that they contain more than one million

species but report that less than one-quarter of these

have been identified. Marine biodiversity has the potential

to transform medicine, industry, environmental remediation,

and energy production, but is threatened by pollution, habitat

destruction, fishing, and climate change. In recognition, the UN

Convention on Biological Diversity calls for 10% of ocean area to

be protected by 2020. Currently, less than 4% is protected.

The Sargasso Sea ecosystem, at the center of the North Atlantic

gyre, has been identified as an area of particular importance. In

addition to hosting a variety of endemic species, it supports a

number of endangered or threatened migratory species. Original

research conducted by SEA Semester students during this

project-based applied science and policy semester has directly

contributed to ongoing international efforts to conserve the

region. In this program, students will address these real-world

challenges while gaining hands-on experience with morpho-

logical and molecular biology techniques in assessing marine

biodiversity. They will also acquire practical tools and concepts

used in place-based marine conservation planning. A capstone

experience will allow students to share their scientific research

and protection strategies with experts in marine conservation

science and policy during a one-day final Symposium convened

on the SEA campus.

Beyond building content knowledge and practical skills in

conservation science and policy, a critical goal of this program

is to introduce students to the breadth of career paths available

in ocean stewardship, from research science to conservation law

to public outreach. Networking opportunities with a wide array

of conservation professionals will allow students to begin to

form professional relationships with potential internship mentors,

graduate school advisors, employers, and colleagues.

O

April 25, 2014 Position: 30° 09’ N X 064° 45’ W

Completing scientific work on land will never feel the same again. Racks of extracted DNA won‘t be flying, buckets of Sargassum won’t be sloshing, and we won’t have to take a wide-legged stance while pipetting. These are all challenges that we face on a daily basis, but we welcome them with open arms. Callie Bateson, Rollins College, Marine Biology Major

Who Should Apply? This semester attracts upper-level science

students interested in complementing

marine science research with the wisdom,

concepts, and skills necessary to effec-

tively operate within the world of public

policy. To be eligible, students must have

taken at least three lab science courses

(one at the 300-level or higher) or received

permission from SEA faculty.

Courses & Credit Advanced Topics in Biological

Oceanography: Biodiversity

(400-level, 4 cr.)

Ocean Science & Public Policy

(300-level, 3 cr.)


Directed Oceanographic Research

(300-level, 4 cr.)

Advanced Ocean Policy Research

(400-level, 4 cr.)

Academic Credit SEA Semester: Marine Biodiversity &

Conservation carries 18 semester hour

credits from Boston University for

successful completion of the program.

Spring 2016

Spring 2017

San Juan, Puerto Rico » Woods Hole

This program includes a weeklong port stop in Bermuda.

2014 Symposium participant, Dr. Sylvia Earle, attends student poster presentations.

13

Sargassum, a marine ecosystem all its own, floats in the waters surrounding the SSV Corwith Cramer.

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/marine_biodiversity_conservation_spring2016

Transatlantic Crossing Early Summer 2016: May - June

T

Early Summer 2016

Woods Hole » Cork, Ireland

Open ocean passage (no port stops).

Who Should Apply? This program is ideal for any undergraduate

with an interest in the oceans. Students

may choose a leadership or science track,

offering flexibility in project topics and

transfer credit. All majors welcome.

Courses & Credit (Choose One)

Practical Oceanographic Research

(200-level, 4 cr.)

Leadership in a Dynamic Environment

(300-level, 3 cr.)

Academic Credit Transatlantic Crossing carries 3 or 4

semester hour credits from Boston


of the program.

14

DUBLIN

Atlantic

Ocean

ireland

Woods Hole

Cork

ransatlantic Crossing is designed for students

representing a wide diversity of backgrounds and

interests, but especially those excited about exploring the

shifting state of the North Atlantic marine ecosystem on this long

offshore voyage. All students will participate fully in the nautical

and scientific work onboard the SSV Corwith Cramer but may

select from two course options to focus their academic efforts

during the program.

Track One offers the opportunity to carry out predetermined

research projects investigating spatial patterns in ocean ecology.

On shore, students will be introduced to the Atlantic Ocean

environment. In small teams, they will then examine the richness

and variety of marine life across the basin in conjunction with

the underlying physical and chemical conditions influencing

these populations. Research topics may include zooplankton

biogeography, current dynamics, marine pollution, or climate-

associated changes. No science prerequisites – see what field

research is all about!

Track Two offers students of any major the opportunity to

develop lifelong leadership skills. The demands of working

and living aboard a tall ship at sea create a powerful learning

environment for these skills. Students will explore leadership

theory, voyage planning, and team management while in Woods

Hole. They will then serve as active crewmembers at sea, assuming

increasing responsibilities under the professional crew until a

series of final exercises will test their full leadership capabilities.

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/transatlantic_crossing_summer2016



istoric Seaports of Western Europe is designed for

students representing a diversity of backgrounds

and interests, but especially those who want to

understand environmental and cultural change within

a global context. The marine environment has played a

major historical role in shaping the human experience

of Western European ports. In this program students

will examine transformations over time in European

maritime activity in the eastern North Atlantic, with

particular attention to the development of fisheries

(late medieval to the present), trade (early modern

to modern), and nautical technology.

After a brief shore component in Ireland, students will sail the

coastal waters of Western Europe during several short cruise

legs and a single longer passage to southern Spain. Port stops

in four distinct nations – Ireland, France, Portugal, and Spain

– will offer a taste of the unique, vibrant cultures of each, and

will allow students to draw comparisons to create a truly global

summer experience. Each port of call will represent a focal point

of regional history, where

students will explore

the social, economic,

environmental, and

cultural changes that

have taken place.

H

Summer 2016

Cork, Ireland » Cádiz, Spain

Previous port stops have included Douarnenez, France and Lisbon, Portugal.

Historic Seaports of Western Europe Summer 2016: July – August

Who Should Apply? This program is ideal for students

from all majors who are interested in

learning more about the oceans from

a historical perspective.

Course & Credit Maritime History & Culture

(300-level, 4 cr.)

Academic Credit Historic Seaports of Western Europe

carries 4 semester hour credits from

Boston University for successful

completion of the program.

DUBLIN

PARIS

MADRIDLISBON

Cork

Brest

Cádiz

IRELAND

FRANCE

SPAIN

PORTUGAL

Atlantic Ocean

Mediterranean Sea

North Sea

Bay of Biscay

Cork, Ireland

15

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/historic_seaports_western_europe_summer2016




MADRID

RABAT

LISBON

Cádiz

Madeira

Las Palmas de

Gran Canaria

Barcelona

Mallorca

FRANCE

SPAIN

moroccoCanaryIslands

PORTUGAL

Atlantic Ocean

Mediterranean Sea

Bay of Biscay

The Global Ocean

Early Fall 2016: August - November

16

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/global_ocean_fall2016_europe


15 October 2014 Position: 35° 58’N x 5° 48’W

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what it feels like to be at the helm of a tall ship making its way through the Strait of Gibraltar. When it was my turn at the helm, watch officer Willy and I discussed what it must have been like to sail that very same route at the time of the Battle of Trafalgar and what historically significant treasures we could be sailing over. Renee Halloran, SUNY College of Environmental Science

and Forestry, Environmental Biology Major

uman actions have caused measurable changes in the

global ocean. The rate at which resources are being

extracted and pollutants are being added is significantly

impacting human health, global economic systems, and local

cultural practices – and threatens to further degrade the world’s

oceans. Many coastal communities are already struggling to

cope with sea level rise, depleted fisheries, loss of habitat, and

increased catastrophic storm effects. To understand how such

changes occur we need to look not only at how natural systems

work, but also at the histories, cultures, and policies of people

who live on coasts and islands in different regions. This requires

a place-based, multi-disciplinary approach, drawing from the

humanities, sciences, social sciences, and arts; among other

tools, we will use the ten metrics of the Ocean Health Index.

Reciprocal interactions with diverse communities in ports of

call and a real-world view of ocean issues from the deck of a

sailing research vessel will offer a unique perspective on one of

the most pressing environmental issues of the 21st century: the

human impact on the environment.

Spanish and Portuguese ships were a dominant force in

the maritime world from the 15th to 18th centuries. Today,

seaports on Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts and islands

continue to exploit maritime resources but face new challenges

with developing technologies. Modern ships require harbor

infrastructures that have serious environmental consequences.

Local fish stocks have been depleted, sending fishermen to

distant oceans. Tourists flock to the city of Barcelona, the ancient

port of Cádiz, and the islands of Mallorca and Madeira, where

rugged landscapes are now protected for their natural beauty

and cultural heritage. What is the legacy of the past, and how

will these resources be managed in the future? In this semester,

students will become the explorers in order to examine the

global impacts of these two great maritime nations.

H

Early Fall 2016

Barcelona, Spain » Canary Islands

Previous port stops have included Mallorca, Cádiz, and Madeira.

17

Who Should Apply? This semester welcomes students from all

majors. Elective credit allows students to

choose a program track that best meets

their academic needs.

Courses & Credit Core Courses (Required)

Maritime History & Culture

(300-level, 4 cr.)

The Ocean & Global Change

(300-level, 4 cr.)


(300-level, 3 cr.)

Electives (Choose Two)

Toward a Sustainable Ocean:

Marine Conservation & Management

(300-level, 3 cr.)

Data Communication & Visualization

(300-level, 3 cr.)

Cultural Landscapes & Seascapes:

A Sense of Place (300-level, 3 cr.)


(300-level, 4 cr.) - OR - Practical

Oceanographic Research

(200-level, 4 cr.)

Academic Credit SEA Semester: The Global Ocean carries 17-18

semester hour credits from Boston University

for successful completion of the program.

Students explore Baelo Claudia, an ancient Roman city near Cádiz, Spain.

Students enjoy a sunny day underway in the Atlantic aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer.


18

Oceans & Climate Fall 2016: September - December

nderstanding climate change and its associated impacts

is the predominant scientific challenge of our generation,

and the timely application of this knowledge to public

policy is crucial to the future of the planet. This semester attracts

upper-level students interested in exploring the ocean’s role

in climate dynamics and the global carbon cycle. Beginning

with natural climate variability and proceeding through recent

anthropogenic influences to the uncertainties of tomorrow,

students will develop a strong foundation in global oceano-

graphic processes while examining climate-related phenomena

along their cruise track. Regional, national, and international

energy and climate policies will also be considered, along with

their inherent challenges.

This exciting transatlantic research voyage offers the unique

opportunity to study the remote ocean environment. Students

will begin their voyage in the Canary Islands, where abundant

renewable resources have been harnessed in innovative

hydro-wind energy systems that dramatically reduce reliance

on fossil fuels. They will then compare such strategies to those

employed by small Caribbean islands moving toward sustainable

development, ecological conservation, and proactive coastal

zone and climate change management. Climate, policy, and

sustainability questions examined during the shore component

will be explored in ports of call where students will investigate

local concerns and responses across various island sites. Guided

scientific research projects will allow students to analyze

collected data and present their findings and policy recommen-

dations at the end of the program.

This intensive semester integrates student-driven research,

analysis, and communication across science and policy

disciplines in order to prepare students for a variety of future

roles in our increasingly complex global environment.

U

Who Should Apply?

This semester is a good fit for upper-level

students who are concerned about environ-

mental change and interested in developing

a better understanding of public policy. To

be eligible, students must have taken at

least three lab science courses (one at the

300-level or higher) or received permission

from SEA faculty.

Courses & Credit

Oceans in the Global Carbon Cycle

(300-level, 4 cr.)


(300-level, 3 cr.)


Advanced Oceanographic Field Methods

(300-level, 4 cr.)


(300-level, 4 cr.)

Academic Credit SEA Semester: Oceans & Climate carries



of the program.

Fall 2016

Canary Islands » St. Croix

(Transatlantic Voyage)

Previous port stops have

included Dominica.


Kendall Reinhart (Dartmouth College) and Assistant Scientist Laura Cooney

prepare for a deployment.

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/oceans_climate_fall2016



19

I left SEA Semester in complete awe of the world that surrounds us and inspired by the need for a better understanding of the world beneath the surface of the ocean. Sam Seymour, Vassar College, Biology Major

Canary Islands

Dominica

St. Croix

Caribbean Sea

Atlantic Ocean

explore

31 March 2015 Position: 43° 48.7’S x 176° 42.3’W

My time at SEA Semester is more than I ever imagined it could be. Every day is a learning experience and an opportunity to grow both as a sailor and as a scientist. I am having the time of my life and I cannot wait to see what these next weeks have in store.Claudia Mazur, Mount Holyoke College, Geology Major

20

David Livingstone (University of Chicago) steers the SSV Robert C. Seamans toward the Phoenix Islands in the South Pacific Ocean.


explore

Voyages:

THE PACIFIC OCEAN French Polynesia, Fiji,

Samoa, New Zealand

inside

22 Early Spring 2016 Early Spring 2017 Spring 2017 The Global Ocean

24 Spring 2016 Fall 2016 Ocean Exploration

26 Early Summer 2016 Pacific Reef Expedition

28 Summer 2016 Protecting the Phoenix Islands

30 Early Fall 2016 Sustainability in Polynesian Island Cultures & Ecosystems

SSV Robert C. Seamans

Specifications

Rig: Brigantine Displacement: 350 Tons Construction: Steel; built 2001 J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, Tacoma, WA Length Overall: 134.5 feet Length on Deck: 111.4 feet Draft: 13.9 feet Beam: 25.5 feet Sail Area: 8554 Sq. Ft. Auxiliary Engine: 455 horsepower Caterpillar diesel Complement: 40 persons


www.sea.edu/seamans_currents

21

http://www.sea.edu/seamans_currents

Tasman SeaBay of Plenty

Hawke Bay

WELLINGTON

Christchurch

Dunedin

Auckland

NorthIsland

South Island

Bay of Islands

The Global Ocean



Spring 2017: February - May

22

Tasman Sea

South Pacific Ocean

Bay of Plenty

Hawke Bay

WELLINGTON

Auckland

NorthIsland

Bay of Islands

Hauraki Gulf

Early Spring 2016

Early Spring 2017, Spring 2017

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/global_ocean_spring2016

uman actions have caused measurable changes in the

global ocean. The rate at which resources are being

extracted and pollutants are being added is significantly

impacting human health, global economic systems, and local

cultural practices – and threatens to further degrade the world’s

oceans. Many coastal communities are already struggling to

cope with sea level rise, depleted fisheries, loss of habitat,

and increased catastrophic storm effects. To understand how

such changes occur we need to look not only at how natural

systems work, but also at the histories, cultures, and policies

of people who live on coasts and islands in different regions.

This requires a place-based, multi-disciplinary approach,

drawing from the humanities, sciences, social sciences and arts.

Reciprocal interactions with diverse communities in ports of

call and a real-world view of ocean issues from the deck of a

sailing research vessel will offer a unique perspective on one of

the most pressing environmental issues of the 21st century: the

human impact on the environment.

New Zealand, called Aotearoa by the Maori, is our laboratory.

As an island nation, the health of its ocean, land, and people are

inextricably tied. With jurisdiction over a huge area of ocean

and one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in the world,

New Zealand’s marine ecosystems range from subtropical

to subantarctic, deep trenches to shallow banks, and coastal

mangrove forests to coral reefs. In 1993, Tongariro National Park

became the first UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape site,

acknowledging the spiritual links between the Maori community

and their natural environment. Although New Zealand has made

a national commitment to sustainable management of such

resources, the country’s innovative policy and conservation

efforts at times compete with its desire for economic prosperity.

In this semester, students will explore the unique environmental

and complex cultural influences that have shaped these islands.

They will also visit marine and coastal protected areas and

various ports of call to examine the relationship between

different cultural groups and the ocean environment that

surrounds them.

HEarly Spring 2016

New Zealand: Auckland » Christchurch

Early Spring 2017

Spring 2017

New Zealand: Auckland » Auckland

Previous port stops have included Bay of Islands, Hauraki Gulf, Wellington,

and Dunedin.

Putting our trust in the natural world around us and the knowledge of the past navigators who have gifted us their epic discoveries, we embark on a journey of knowledge that crosses all boundaries of time.Mia Pinheiro, University of Vermont, Anthropology & Art Major

23

Who Should Apply? This semester welcomes students from

all majors. A flexible curriculum allows

students to choose the program track that

best meets their academic needs.

Courses & Credit Core Courses (Required)

Maritime History & Culture

(300-level, 4 cr.)

The Ocean & Global Change

(300-level, 4 cr.)


(300-level, 3 cr.)

Electives (Choose Two)

Toward a Sustainable Ocean: Marine

Conservation & Management

(300-level, 3 cr.)

Data Communication & Visualization

(300-level, 3 cr.)


A Sense of Place (300-level, 3 cr.)




(200-level, 4 cr.)

Academic Credit SEA Semester: The Global Ocean carries

17-18 semester hour credits from Boston

University for successful completion of

the program.

Students enjoy sweeping views of Lyttelton Harbor, New Zealand, during a hike up the surrounding volcanic ridge.

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/global_ocean_spring2016

Ocean Exploration Spring 2016: February - May

Fall 2016: September - December

nderstanding the oceans is an essential component of

appreciating how the world works and how we relate

to it as human beings. The sea is so complex that it is

impossible to comprehend from the perspective of a single

academic discipline. With that in mind, this interdisciplinary

program combines insights from oceanography, the humanities,

and the social sciences with practical skills in seamanship,

allowing students to deepen their awareness of and appreciation

for the ocean through hands-on research and personal

experience. In this semester, students will address and answer

some of the most pressing global questions related to the

ocean environment.

During an initial six-week shore component in Woods Hole,

academic coursework will prepare students for their research

voyage. With full access to SEA faculty, guest lecturers, and

the world-renowned Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution/

Marine Biological Laboratory Library, students will design original

research projects to be completed at sea. Maritime Studies

coursework will complement this research by offering a wider

historical and social perspective on the impact of humans on the

world’s oceans, and on the experience of going to sea. Finally,

Nautical Science coursework will introduce practical seamanship

skills and the theoretical background necessary for students to

safely operate a tall ship at sea.

As full, working members of the scientific team and sailing crew

aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans, students will then spend the

next six weeks at sea managing shipboard operations, navigating

by the stars, analyzing oceanographic samples, and voyaging

across the South Pacific. Perhaps most importantly, students

will learn to challenge themselves by developing new skills in

leadership, teamwork, and research.

U

Who Should Apply? This semester attracts students from all

majors who are interested in gaining an

in-depth understanding of our world’s

oceans. Also open to gap and winter

start students.

Courses & Credit Oceanography (200-level, 3 cr.)



Oceanographic Field Methods

(200-level, 4 cr.)




(200-level, 4 cr.)

Academic Credit SEA Semester: Ocean Exploration

carries 17 semester hour credits from

Boston University for successful

completion of the program.

24

Spring 2016

Christchurch, New Zealand » Tahiti

Fall 2016

New Zealand: Auckland » Auckland

Previous port stops have included Raivavae, Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Islands, Wellington.

Photo: Solvin Zankl Photography

The SSV Robert C. Seamans under sail through Pacific waters.

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/ocean_exploration_spring2016

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/ocean_exploration_fall2016

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/ocean_exploration_spring2016

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/ocean_exploration_fall2016

25

13 April 2015 Position: 34° 46.3’ S X 150° 11.8’ W

When I applied for SEA Semester I knew that I was signing up for a semester unlike most study abroad programs. What I did not expect was to have my entire world turned upside down by a plethora of new and exciting experiences. Timothy Bateman, University of Connecticut, Marine Sciences Major

South Pacific Ocean

NewZealand

Tonga

Cook Islands

FrenchPolynesia

Kiribati

Fiji

Samoa

WELLINGTON

Christchurch

Raivavae

Pape’ete

Tasman Sea

South Pacific Ocean

Bay of Plenty

Hawke Bay

WELLINGTON

Auckland

NorthIsland

Bay of Islands

Hauraki Gulf

Spring 2016

Fall 2016

26

Pacific Reef Expedition Early Summer 2016: May - June

26

Pacific Ocean

TAHITI

Kiribati

Hawaii

Samoa

Rangiroa

Caroline

Kiritimati

Pape’ete

HONOLULU

Equator

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/pacific_reef_expedition_summer2016



27

he Pacific Ocean is in the midst of a major climate

event: what is shaping up to be the strongest El Niño

(a complex, warming weather pattern) on record. With

this phenomenon comes rising water temperatures and the

potential for widespread changes to the marine environment,

impacting both the ecosystems and the people that inhabit these

regions. Students will have the rare opportunity to contribute to

a growing body of knowledge about the susceptibility of remote

coral reefs to climate change: an important question, since they

support some of the richest diversity of species on the planet.

Unlike other SEA Semester programs, Pacific Reef Expedition

does not begin with a shore component at our Woods Hole,

Massachusetts campus. Therefore, the program requires partici-

pation in a minimum of 4 hours of online discussion forums prior

to sailing, with additional optional discussion forums as student

pre-program schedules permit.

After completing the initial online coursework and upon joining

the SSV Robert C. Seamans in Tahiti, students will set sail for

Hawaii, conducting snorkel-based photographic and visual

surveys of the local corals, fish, and invertebrates found among

three distinct island atolls along the way. Comparative research

of environments that have experienced wide variations in

development— Caroline Island (none), Rangiroa (moderate) and

Christmas Island (extreme)— will allow students to document

and compare the potential effects of El Niño. Data collected

during this voyage could help shed new light on the ability of

reefs to endure and adapt to global climate change.

Coursework in Practical Oceanographic Research offers the

opportunity to carry out predetermined research projects while

sailing across the Equatorial Pacific. In small teams, students

will examine the richness and variety of marine life in coral reef

environments at different locations along the cruise track. No

science prerequisites – see what field research is all about!

All students will participate as full, working members of the

scientific team and sailing crew aboard the SSV Robert C.

Seamans.

Who Should Apply? This program is ideal for any undergrad-

uate with an interest in the oceans. We

welcome students of all majors to apply.

Course & Credit Practical Oceanographic Research

(200-level, 4 cr.)

Academic Credit Pacific Reef Expedition carries 4 semester

hour credits from Boston University for

successful completion of the program.

Amazing things can be done when a group of people put their lives together working towards common goals. The Robert C. Seamans is a true exemplar of this concept, not only collecting research around the Pacific, but teaching life lessons and enriching the lives of everybody involved.Rob Kozloff, University of Vermont, Environmental Studies Major

Early Summer 2016

Pape’ete » Honolulu

Planned port stops include Rangiroa; Caroline Island, Kiribati; and Kiritimati

A student conducts a snorkel-based reef survey at Caroline Island

T


Protecting the Phoenix Islands Summer 2016: June - August

28

Pacific Ocean

FrenchPolynesia

Kiribati

Hawaii

Tuvalu

Fiji

Samoa

Pago Pago

Kanton Island

HONOLULU

EquatorPhoenix Islands Protected Area

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/protecting_phoenix_islands_summer2016



n a joint effort with the New England Aquarium, Protecting

the Phoenix Islands invites students to explore one of the last

coral wildernesses on earth through one of two academic

tracks: science or policy. The Phoenix Islands Protected Area

(PIPA) comprises one of the Pacific’s largest marine protected

areas and was recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Students will join marine scientists from SEA, Woods Hole

Oceanographic Institution, and the PIPA management office on

one of the first research voyages to these islands, a region of the

world that remains largely unexplored and unvisited.

During the first two weeks on shore, students will begin a survey

of large-scale marine conservation efforts around the world.

Using PIPA as a case study for the state of current international

ocean conservation efforts, they will develop their own research

project in either ocean science or conservation policy.

Students will then join the SSV Robert C. Seamans for a

six-week research voyage from Hawaii to American Samoa.

Their mission will be to complete one of the first comprehensive

oceanographic surveys of PIPA while sailing as crewmembers

and scientists aboard the ship. They will first cross the Equator

in a two-week, 1,600-mile voyage to the Phoenix Islands, part of

the remote island nation of Kiribati. The next three weeks will be

spent in this marine protected area, documenting the oceanic

ecosystem around the eight-island archipelago that features

pristine coral reefs filled with rich fauna of corals, other inverte-

brates, and fish.

Working side by side with experts, students will provide real-time

data that will lay the groundwork for an effective conservation

plan. A final leg to American Samoa will round out the voyage.

I

Who Should Apply? This program is ideal for upper-level

students with an interest in conservation

policy and/or marine science. Students

may choose a policy or science track,

offering flexibility in project topics and

transfer credit. All majors welcome.

Courses & Credit The Ocean & Global Change

(300-level, 4 cr.)


(300-level, 3 cr.)

Advanced Ocean Policy Research

(400-level, 4 cr.) - OR - Directed


(300-level, 4 cr.)

Academic Credit Protecting the Phoenix Islands carries 11

semester hour credits from Boston University

for successful completion of the program.

As our first full day outside PIPA concludes, and we make way for American Samoa, I can’t help but look back on the amazing environment we had the opportunity to explore. After our adventure through this pristine wilderness, we are representatives of the oceans, responsible for spreading the knowledge that we‘ve gained to show the significance of protecting our oceans.Peter Willauer, Colby College, Science, Technology & Society Major

29

Summer 2016

Honolulu » American Samoa

This program includes extended time at sea surveying the Phoenix Islands Protected Area.

A school of Convict Tang swims around the exquisite coral reef at Kanton Island, Phoenix Islands Protected Area, as seen during a snorkeling excursion.


Sustainability in Polynesian Island Cultures & Ecosystems Early Fall 2016: August - November

he remote islands of Oceania are some of the most special

and significant places in the world. Their coral reefs and

tropical forests are oases of biological diversity, and their

human populations possess an equally rich diversity of histories,

languages, and social practices. Western colonization brought

about disruptive changes in the economies and cultures of these

societies, which had thrived for millennia on self-sustaining

practices. Today, imposed Western cultural values, consumer

products, and cultural suppression have severely undermined

the close connection between the island cultures and the

environment. In this semester, students will examine what

the future holds for these islands, and whether they can offer

solutions for how we manage our natural resources that may

apply to other regions of the world as well.

Developed by SEA faculty in conjunction with local partners,

this semester will begin with a shore component in Woods Hole

where students will be introduced to the history, culture, and

geography of remote Pacific Islands. Visiting scholars will share

their work on resource management, Polynesian voyaging and

navigation, and traditional art and cultural practices.

Students will then begin their sailing research voyage, visiting

several South Pacific islands to confront challenging questions

of colonial conflict, cultural identity, and environmental justice,

and to examine relationships between political structures,

culture, and the natural environment. They will explore issues

of sustainability with local officials while visiting historical,

cultural, and agricultural sites. They will also investigate the

complex factors that threaten fragile island ecosystems and

the surrounding marine environment in an effort to pursue a

more sustainable relationship with our oceans.

The program will conclude with a shore component in

New Zealand where students will compile and process their

research findings.

T

Who Should Apply? This semester is particularly appropriate

for Environmental Studies/Science

majors, but students from any major

are encouraged to apply.

Courses & Credit Maritime History & Culture

(300-level, 4 cr.)

Marine Environmental History

(300-level, 4 cr.)



Oceanography (200-level, 3 cr.)

Academic Credit SEA Semester: Sustainability in Polynesian

Island Cultures & Ecosystems carries


University for successful completion of

the program.

Access the SPICE atlas: www.sea.edu/spice_atlas

30

Early Fall 2016

American Samoa »

Auckland, New Zealand

Previous port stops have included Fiji and Wallis & Futuna.

Students visit a traditional Maori meeting grounds, or marae, during a port stop in Waitangi, New Zealand.

http://www.sea.edu/voyages/spice_fall2016



http://www.sea.edu/spice_atlas


20 October 2014 Position: 18° 07.9’S X 178° 25.6’E

Many of us are realizing that no matter how much material we gather, we are simply scratching the surface of all the secrets these islands have to share with us. This experience has only begun to open our eyes to all the cultures and ecosystems that live thousands of miles from us.Rebecca Murillo, Boston University, Marine Science Major

31

South Pacific Ocean

New Zealand

Fiji

SamoaWallis& Fatuna

WELLINGTON

Auckland

Pago Pago

Tasman Sea

theory32

Life on Shore

At the beginning of nearly every SEA Semester program,

up to 25 undergraduates from all over the U.S. (and often

the world) come together on SEA’s residential campus on

scenic Cape Cod in southeastern Massachusetts. Students

begin their academic studies in Woods Hole, a small

seaside village that has launched voyages of discovery

to every ocean for centuries. Courses and length of the

shore component vary by program, but the ultimate

goal is always to prepare students for the multifaceted

experience of going to sea.

The shore component is the ultimate pre-departure

orientation, engaging students in meaningful multidisci-

plinary coursework that they can then put into practice

and context as soon as they reach the ship. On campus,

students live together in double or triple single-sex rooms

in one of five fully furnished coed cottages. They share all

of the responsibilities associated with community living

including grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning. By

living in close quarters and working together on shore,

they begin to prepare for the demands of living and

working together at sea. From day one, students get to

know one another and begin building skills in teamwork,

leadership, and communication. Most importantly, they

form what often become lifelong friendships!

The SEA campus is located just under two miles from

the village of Woods Hole and a mile and a half from

downtown Falmouth. In their free time, students can

enjoy biking, running, and exploring the magnificent local

beaches. Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, New Bedford,

and other historic seaside communities are nearby, giving

them access to extraordinary displays of maritime history

and culture that are very much still alive.

SEA Semester students are regularly welcomed at

lectures and presentations sponsored by the local

community, including the Woods Hole Oceanographic

Institution, Marine Biological Laboratory, National Marine

Fisheries Service, United States Geological Survey, and

Woods Hole Research Center. These activities allow

unprecedented access to the world’s foremost scientists

and institutions addressing the leading environmental

questions of today.

The shore component is an integral part of every SEA

Semester program in that it prepares students to be

successful in their role as researchers, global citizens,

and crewmembers at sea.

SEA SEMESTER LIFE ON SHORE & AT SEA

Students conduct research at the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University.

The Madden Center, SEA Campus

33

practice

When I got an email asking if I "wanted to try something totally new for the semester" I immediately got on the website and applied. That was the best decision I've made all year. Keara Fenzel, Hamilton College, Government Major

Life at Sea

Stepping aboard one of SEA’s tall ships is like visiting

a foreign country. Studying abroad at sea, you will join

a culture steeped in nautical traditions, speak a unique

maritime language, and encounter exotic destinations

in the world few people have the opportunity to explore.

We travel to remote locations that are relatively unseen,

untouched, and unspoiled. We seek out ports where

cruise ships don’t venture, and experience the local

communities beyond the boundaries of resorts. In

some locations, a long history of SEA Semester visits

has resulted in close reciprocal friendships with the

local community.

No previous sailing experience is required. The sea

component allows students to put all of the knowledge

they’ve gained on shore immediately into practice, and it is

usually during this experience when they realize how much

they have learned. Guided by SEA faculty and professional

crew, students quickly become integral members of the

ship’s company. From employing celestial navigation, to

plotting their position on a navigational chart, to collecting

and processing oceanographic samples, students are

exposed to every aspect of shipboard operations.

The sea component also offers tremendous opportunities

for leadership development. Near the end of the program

there is a challenging but rewarding capstone experience

during which each student leads a complete watch cycle.

By this time, students can fully engage in and operate

all aspects of the ship including the lab, deck, engine

room, and galley. This final exercise builds confidence and

creates a sense of achievement for everyone on board.

Teamwork takes precedence as students share respon-

sibility not only for operation of the ship but also for the

well being of their shipmates. Relying on one another is

essential for the creation of a tight-knit community where

privacy is limited. Learning to balance time on watch with

studying, sleeping, eating, and relaxing is part of adapting

to shipboard life. Moreover, students learn to challenge

themselves and become team players. The flexibility,

critical thinking, and communication skills learned

at sea foster personal growth that will serve them

well throughout their lives.

Take a Virtual Tour of Our Ships! www.sea.edu/ship_tour

Check out our Shipboard Scientific Equipment: www.sea.edu/equipment

Illustration: Nicole Reasonda

(Quinsigamond Community College)or

http://www.sea.edu/ship_tour

http://www.sea.edu/equipment

34

Credit Transfer

Each semester-long SEA Semester program offers 17-18

semester hour credits through Boston University, SEA’s

school of record. The short-term SEA Summer Sessions

offer 3-11 credits from Boston University.

All SEA Semester programs are designed to fit seamlessly

into undergraduate coursework as major, minor, or

elective credit. Many programs’ courses are offered as

a set curriculum, meaning that all students take the

same classes regardless of their major. However, some

programs offer electives to allow students flexibility

based on their interests or academic needs. SEA

Semester Admissions Counselors work with all applicants

to determine which program best fits their goals. We

will also work with sending institution faculty and Study

Abroad Offices to facilitate credit transfer as necessary.

All SEA Semester students are registered at Boston

University for the duration of their program unless their

institution grants direct credit for participation. This

registration process allows students to receive a BU

transcript upon successful completion of SEA Semester

coursework. However, exactly how SEA Semester

credits transfer is ultimately up to the home institution.

Therefore, it is important that students work with their

academic advisors to determine how the credit will best

work for them. SEA Semester enrolls students from a

wide variety of colleges and universities each year,

and almost all students are able to successfully transfer

full credit.

For more detail on credit structure and transfer, or to

access course syllabi, visit www.sea.edu/academics or

contact the Admissions Office for assistance.

Academic Planning

SEA Semester programs are open to every undergraduate

looking for a once-in-a-lifetime academic adventure.

Programs run at different times throughout the year and

carry full academic credit for successful completion. The

earlier students contact us about their interest, the better

we can help them plan, allowing them to maximize the

number of credits applicable to their academic program

at their home institution.

SEA SEMESTER ACADEMIC CREDIT & COURSE BREAKDOWN

Did You Know?

The top majors represented by SEA Semester students are the Natural Sciences (35%) and Environmental Sciences/Studies (33%).

The other 32% represent disciplines including Social Sciences, Humanities, Business, Communications, and other non-science disciplines.

Sneha Vissa (Denison University) plots the position of the SSV Robert C. Seamans while underway.


35

I remember thinking, “You can do something like that and get credit?” I’ve always loved the water and the environment and here was a program marrying the two. Anna Farrell, Denison University, Environmental Studies Major

SEA Semester Programs & Courses

Colonization to Conservation

in the Caribbean (17 credits)

• Maritime History & Culture

(300-level, 4 credits)

• Marine Environmental History


• Maritime Studies (200-level, 3 credits)

• Nautical Science (200-level, 3 credits)

• Oceanography (200-level, 3 credits)

Marine Biodiversity & Conservation

(18 credits)

• Advanced Topics in Biological

Oceanography: Biodiversity


• Ocean Science & Public Policy



• Advanced Ocean Policy

Research (400-level, 4 credits)

• Directed Oceanographic


Oceans & Climate (18 credits)

• Oceans in the Global Carbon Cycle





• Advanced Oceanographic Field

Methods (300-level, 4 credits)

• Directed Oceanographic Research


Ocean Exploration (17 credits)




• Oceanographic Field Methods




- OR -

Practical Oceanographic Research


Summer I Atlantic:

Transatlantic Crossing (3-4 credits)

• Practical Oceanographic


- OR -

Leadership in a Dynamic

Environment (300-level, 3 credits)

Summer II Atlantic:

Historic Seaports of Western Europe

(4 credits)



Summer I Pacific:

Pacific Reef Expedition (4 credits)

• Practical Oceanographic Research


Summer II Pacific:

Protecting the Phoenix Islands

(11 credits)

• The Ocean & Global Change




• Advanced Ocean Policy


- OR -

Directed Oceanographic


Sustainability in Polynesian

Island Cultures & Ecosystems

(17 credits)



• Marine Environmental History





The Global Ocean (17-18 credits)

Core Courses:



• The Ocean & Global Change


• Leadership in a Dynamic

Environment (300-level, 3 credits)

Electives (Choose Two):

• Toward a Sustainable Ocean:

Conservation & Management


• Data Communication &

Visualization (300-level, 3 credits)

• Cultural Landscapes &

Seascapes: A Sense of Place




- OR -

Practical Oceanographic


http://www.sea.edu/academics

36

Advanced Ocean Policy Research(400-level, 4 credits)

Prereq: Admission to SEA Semester. Junior standing

or consent of instructor.

Advanced policy research focusing on a topic of current

importance (may include fisheries, biodiversity, marine spatial

planning, and cultural heritage). Emphasis on theoretical

concepts, research methods, and communication skills.

Requires critical review paper, original research, final report

and presentation.

Advanced Oceanographic Field Methods (300-level, 4 credits)

Prereq: Admission to SEA Semester. Three lab science courses

(one at the 300-level or higher) or consent of instructor.

Tools and techniques of the oceanographer. Participate in

shipboard laboratory operations to gain experience with

deployment of modern oceanographic equipment and

collection of scientific data at sea. Emphasis on sampling plan

design, advanced laboratory sample processing methods, and

robust data analysis.

Advanced Topics in Biological

Oceanography: Biodiversity (400-level, 4 credits)



In-depth treatment of a single topic in biological

oceanography. Extensive review of classical and contem-

porary literature. Introduction and practice of current

laboratory techniques. Oral presentation and written research

proposal required. Topics may include marine plankton

ecology, marine biodiversity, and satellite oceanography.


A Sense of Place (300-level, 3 credits)

Prereq: Admission to SEA Semester. Sophomore

standing or consent of instructor.

Field-intensive analysis and documentation of dynamic

relationships between nature and culture in specific coastal,

island, and ocean places. Apply cultural landscape and related

interdisciplinary bio-cultural approaches to place-based

environmental studies.

Data Communication & Visualization (300-level, 3 credits)



Information visualization strategies and associated software,

emphasizing communication to diverse audiences.

Select between geospatial (GIS) and qualitative data foci.

Develop graphics and/or multimedia products supporting

research projects in concurrent courses. Compile iterative

digital portfolio.

Directed Oceanographic Research (300-level, 4 credits)



Design and conduct original oceanographic research. Collect

data and analyze samples. Compile results in peer-reviewed

manuscript format and share during oral or poster presen-

tation session. Emphasis on development of research skills

and written/oral communication abilities.

Leadership in a Dynamic Environment (300-level, 3 credits)

Prereq: Admission to SEA Semester. Sophomore standing


Be an effective leader while leveraging the individual

strengths of a team. Use leadership theory and case studies

to understand how decisions affect outcomes. Participate as

an active member of a ship’s crew, progressively assuming full

leadership roles.

Marine Environmental History (300-level, 4 credits)

Prereq: Admission to SEA Semester. Sophomore standing or

consent of instructor.

Employ methods and sources of historians and social

scientists. Examine the role of human societies in coastal and

open ocean environmental change. Issues include resource

conservation, overfishing, pollution, invasive species, and

climate change.

Maritime History & Culture (300-level, 4 credits)



Explore impacts of European maritime ventures on the

societies they contacted in the Atlantic or Pacific, with focus

on the resulting social, political, economic, and cultural

changes. Investigate responses documented in the post-Co-

lonial literature of indigenous people.

SEA SEMESTER COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

37

Detailed course syllabi are available at:

www.sea.edu/academics

Maritime Studies (200-level, 3 credits)

Prereq: Admission to SEA Semester.

Relationship between humans and the sea. History, literature

and art of our maritime heritage. Ships as agents of contact

change. Political and economic challenges of contemporary

marine affairs. Destination-specific focus.

Nautical Science (200-level, 3 credits)


Learn the fundamentals of sailing ship operation, in

preparation for direct application at sea. Navigation (piloting,

celestial and electronic), weather, engineering systems, safety,

and sail theory. Participate as an active member of the ship’s

crew on an offshore voyage.

Ocean Science & Public Policy (300-level, 3 credits)



Culture, history, political systems and science can shape

ocean policy. Practice current strategies to build, analyze, and

communicate about diverse policy issues. Examine the power,

use and limitations of science and the scientist’s voice in

determining ocean policy.

Oceanographic Field Methods (200-level, 4 credits)


Exposure to basic oceanographic sampling methods.

Participate in shipboard laboratory operations to gain

experience with deployment of modern oceanographic

equipment and collection of scientific data at sea. Emphasis

on practicing consistent methods and ensuring data fidelity.

Oceanography (200-level, 3 credits)


Explore how interconnected ocean characteristics

(bathymetry, seawater chemistry, biological diversity)

and processes (plate tectonics, surface and deep-water

circulation, biological production) shape global patterns

across multiple scales. Discuss destination-specific environ-

mental issues and hot topics in marine research.

Oceans in the Global Carbon Cycle (300-level, 4 credits)



Ocean as carbon source and sink. Examine global-scale flux

patterns and carbon storage mechanisms, from solubility/

biological pumps to geo-engineering. Explore buffering

capacity and mitigation strategies in the face of anthro-

pogenic carbon cycle perturbations. Oral presentation and

written research proposal required.

Practical Oceanographic Research (200-level, 4 credits)


Introduction to oceanographic research. Design a collab-

orative, hypothesis-driven project following the scientific

process. Collect original data. Conduct analysis and interpre-

tation, then prepare a written report and oral presentation.

The Ocean & Global Change (300-level, 4 credits)



Ocean ecosystem change in the anthropocene: warming,

acidification, fisheries depletion, and pollution. Review

principles of circulation, seawater chemistry, nutrient

dynamics, and biological production to understand causes

and consequences of change. Conduct field measurements

for contribution to time-series datasets.

Toward a Sustainable Ocean:

Conservation & Management (300-level, 3 credits)



Comparative and issue-driven introduction to managing human

uses and conserving coastal and ocean places and resources.

Explore concepts of technology, governance, sector and

ecosystem management, and marine protected areas through

expert content lectures, topical seminars, and field trips.

http://www.sea.edu/academics

38

Creating Career Paths

• Our expansive alumni body offers a network of

internship, research, and employment opportunities

via an online Alumni Directory

• 75% of our alumni report improved self-confidence &

self-reliance as the result of SEA Semester

• 119 of our alumni are faculty members who teach

environment related courses at 112 colleges or

universities including Stanford, Colby, Smith, Boston

University, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, and Columbia

More Than One Million Miles Sailed

• Since 1971, we have taken nearly 8,000 undergraduates

safely to sea and home again while sailing over

one million nautical miles

• We operate two 134’ sailing research vessels,

both custom-designed and built for our specific

educational purposes

• Our ships are inspected and certified by the U.S.

Coast Guard as Sailing School Vessels (SSV) and

regularly meet or exceed the USCG safety

requirements for their class

The Woods Hole Community

• SEA is one of the six scientific institutions in Woods

Hole, Massachusetts, a globally renowned center for

ocean and scientific exploration

• Students frequently visit other Woods Hole

institutions and interact with local and visiting

researchers from around the world

SEA SEMESTER VALUE & RESEARCH

Commitment to

Affordability

• Over $1 million in

merit-based

scholarships and

need-based aid

awarded each year

• Institutional aid may be transferred in many cases

• Federal Aid applies (Stafford Loans, Plus Loans,

Pell Grants)

• Customized financial aid guidance and assistance

• A variety of payment plans to accommodate every

family’s circumstances

Full Room & Board Included

• Private housing on the SEA campus during

the shore component

• Field trip and lab fees included

• Prepaid grocery cards on shore

• Three meals plus three snacks a day at sea, prepared

by a professional steward with student assistant

Unparalleled Student Support

• Personalized advising and follow-up throughout the

admissions process

• On-site orientation at the start of each program

• Full-time Head Resident and Student Services staff

devoted solely to student health, safety, and success

• Full-time Alumni Coordinator dedicated to post-

program support and networking

Why Have Nearly 8,000 Undergraduates Chosen

to Study Abroad with SEA Semester?

Photos: Solvin Zankl Photography

39

discover

Research: Building a Foundation

Authentic research experience is a hallmark of SEA

Semester. Whether conducting advanced research

in natural science, social science, public policy, or

humanities, students gain skills that allow them to meet

the professional standard for disciplinary data collection,

analysis and communication of results. SEA Semester

students have co-authored publications in peer-reviewed

literature and have presented at nationally and interna-

tionally recognized conferences.

SEA Semester students pursue research projects with

local, national and international relevance, many of

which make use of professionally accepted frameworks

and metrics. For example, in 2012, the Ocean Health

Index (OHI) was developed by ocean experts at

organizations including Conservation International,

National Geographic, and the New England Aquarium

to measure the impact of human actions on the ocean

environment using globally applicable metrics. Broadly

interdisciplinary, these metrics include food provision and

fishing, coastal protection, tourism and recreation, coastal

livelihoods and economies, clean waters, biodiversity,

and carbon storage. The OHI metrics provide a valuable

template for SEA Semester student contributions to

this global-scale research effort. SEA-collected data on

plastic marine debris has already been incorporated into

OHI publications.

Institutional and faculty funding from NSF, NOAA, and

NASA supports acquisition of sophisticated oceano-

graphic instrumentation and allows for an array of

research projects. While aboard one of SEA’s sailing

research vessels, all students participate in collection

of data that are regularly deposited in national oceano-

graphic archives. SEA has ongoing collaborative research

projects with NOAA, Woods Hole Oceanographic

Institution, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, as well as

academic institutions including Stanford University and

Harvard University.

Research:

Making the

Connections

SEA Semester

students conduct

research in a wide variety of areas.

Below are some examples of common research topics

and recent student projects.

Climate Change

Comparative carbon flux between upwelling

regions of the Equatorial Pacific

SEA Semester: Oceans & Climate

Environmental Justice

Fijian fisheries: How laws have changed tradition

SEA Semester: Sustainability in Polynesian

Island Cultures & Ecosystems

Marine Biodiversity

Population genetics and dynamics of Caribbean

spiny lobster phyllosoma in the Sargasso Sea

SEA Semester: Marine Biodiversity

& Conservation

Plastic Pollution

Marine debris in the regions of Jamaica

and the Dominican Republic

SEA Semester: Colonization to

Conservation in the Caribbean

Ocean Conservation

Assessing possible inhibitors to seasonal

migration of commercial tuna stocks

SEA Semester: Oceans & Climate

More Information www.sea.edu/research

The research experience was the most important aspect of SEA Semester for me. The ability to access such remote and incredible research spots was amazing.

Jessica McGlinchey, St. Lawrence University, Conservation Biology Major

http://www.sea.edu/research

40

SEA SEMESTER OUR FACULTY

Erin J. Bryant, Esq.

Assistant Professor, Ocean Policy. JD Roger Williams

University School of Law; MMA University of Rhode

Island; MEd Simmons College; BA Bryn Mawr

College. SEA Faculty appointed 2012.

Research Areas & Interests: Ocean resource management and

valuation, coastal hazards mitigation, environmental justice,

science communication.

Captain Pamela Coughlin

Instructor, Nautical Science. Sailing with SEA since

2003; SEA Faculty appointed 2012.

Licenses & Certifications: Master 1600 Tons

of Steam, Motor, and Auxiliary Sail

Vessels upon Oceans; Radar Observer

(Unlimited); STCW Compliant.

Dr. Deb Goodwin

Assistant Professor, Oceanography. PhD

(Oceanography) University of New Hampshire; MS

(Biology) University of Washington; BA Carleton


Research Areas & Interests: Marine plastic pollution; Sargassum

macroalgae distribution and dynamics; applications of

remote sensing and GIS.

Dr. Ben Harden

Assistant Professor, Oceanography. PhD

(Meteorology and Oceanography) University of East

Anglia, UK; MSci/BA (Natural Sciences) University of Cambridge, UK.

SEA Faculty appointed 2015.

Research Areas & Interests: Physical oceanography; meteorology;

climate dynamics; air-sea interactions; radio storytelling.

Dr. Kara Lavender Law

Research Professor of Oceanography. PhD

(Physical Oceanography) Scripps Institution of

Oceanography/UCSD; BS Duke University. SEA

Faculty appointed 2003.

Research Areas & Interests: The abundance, distribution, behavior,

degradation and fate of plastic debris in the ocean.

Dr. Charles E. Lea

Professor, Oceanography. PhD (Biological

Oceanography) Texas A&M University; BA University

of Colorado at Boulder. SEA Faculty appointed 1985.

Research Areas & Interests: Distribution of

cephalopods; pelagic zoogeography.

Dr. Mark H. Long

Associate Professor, History and Social Science.

PhD (History) Loyola University, Chicago; BA Auburn

University. SEA Faculty appointed 2015.

Research Areas & Interests: The intersections

between maritime, economic and environmental

history and policy, especially focused on frontier and

borderland areas.


http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/erin_bryant

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/pamela_coughlin

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/deb_goodwin

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/dr._ben_harden

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/dr_kara_lavender_law

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/dr._charles_lea

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/dr._mark_h._long

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/erin_bryant

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/pamela_coughlin

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/deb_goodwin

41

Dr. Craig Marin

Assistant Professor, Maritime Studies. PhD (History)

University of Pittsburgh; BA Carleton College. SEA

Faculty appointed 2013. SEA Semester alumnus.

Research Areas & Interests: Atlantic world

rebels and revolutionaries; radicalization and mobility;

sustainability in modern maritime settings.

Dr. Audrey Wright Meyer

Professor, Oceanography. PhD (Earth Sciences)

University of California, Santa Cruz; BS Stanford

University. SEA Faculty appointed 1995.

Research Areas & Interests: Marine geology;

paleoclimatology; coastal evolution in response to natural

and human-induced changes.

Captain Chris Nolan

Assistant Professor, Nautical Science. BS (Marine &

Environmental Science), U.S. Coast Guard Academy.


Research Areas & Interests: Celestial navigation;

fisheries management; organizational leadership.

Licenses & Certifications: Master 500 Tons of Steam, Motor, and

Auxiliary Sail upon Oceans; Radar Observer (unlimited);

STCW Compliant.

Captain Jason Quilter

Instructor, Nautical Science. Sailing with SEA

since 2003; SEA Faculty appointed 2010.

Licenses & Certifications: Master 1600 Tons

of Steam, Motor, and Auxiliary Sail

Vessels upon Oceans; Radar Observer (Unlimited);

STCW Compliant.

Captain Elliot Rappaport

Associate Professor, Nautical Science. MS

(Science Education) University of Maine; BA Oberlin


SEA Semester alumnus.

Research Areas & Interests: Weather, marine safety, leadership,

wilderness medicine.

Licenses & Certifications: Master 1600 Tons of Steam, Motor,

and Auxiliary Sail Vessels upon Oceans; Radar Observer

(Unlimited); STCW Compliant. Certified Wilderness EMT.

Dr. Jeff Schell

Associate Professor, Oceanography. PhD (Aquatic

Ecology) University of Wisconsin, Madison; MS

(Marine Environmental Studies) State University

of New York at Stony Brook; BS College of the Holy

Cross. SEA Faculty appointed 2003.

Research Areas & Interests: Ecology and conservation of marine

and freshwater ecosystems; the Sargasso Sea; environ-

mental history; natural history illutration.

Dr. Amy NS Siuda

Associate Professor, Oceanography. PhD (Biological

Oceanography) University of Connecticut; BA

Middlebury College. SEA Faculty appointed 2007.

SEA Semester alumna.

Research Areas & Interests: Organismal, population and

community ecology of plankton; distribution and diversity

of Sargassum; copepod-microplastic interactions.

Dr. Jeff Wescott

Assistant Professor, Anthropology. PhD

(Anthropology) University of California, San Diego;

BA State University of New York, Buffalo.


Research Areas & Interests: Political, ethical, and cognitive

dimensions of human-environment interactions in

island societies; social-ecological systems in ocean

research and education.

Dr. Jan Witting

Professor, Oceanography. PhD (Marine Biology)

Northeastern University; BS Northeastern University.


Research Areas & Interests: Coral reef ecology;

designing and constructing autonomous

underwater vehicles.

Dr. Erik Zettler

Professor of Oceanography, Associate Dean of

Institutional Relations. PhD (Microbial Ecology)

Autonomous University of Madrid; MSc (Aquatic

Biology) University of Waterloo; BS Allegheny


Research Areas & Interests: Microbial ecology, marine debris,

biodiversity, oceanography, field research.


http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/dr._craig_marin

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/audrey_meyer

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/captain_christopher_d._nolan

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/jason_quilter

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/captain_elliot_rappaport

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/dr._jeff_schell

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/dr._amy_siuda

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/dr._jeffrey_wescott

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/dr._jan_witting

http://www.sea.edu/academics/faculty_detail/dr._erik_zettler

42

SEA SEMESTER OUR ALUMNI

Preparing Students for the Future

At SEA, we are invested in our students’ futures and we

want them to succeed! SEA Semester students acquire

lifelong skills like leadership, teamwork, discipline, and

critical thinking, all of which prepare them for their

chosen career. Seventy-five percent of our alumni also

report improved self-confidence and self-reliance as the

result of their program: important qualities that will take

students far no matter where they choose to go.

Our Alumni Community

When students attend SEA Semester, they become part

of a family. The unique experience SEA Semester offers

has created a strong, active, and supportive alumni

community of nearly 8,000 individuals. Always eager to

help, our former students have proven to be an invaluable

resource for personal and professional networking, and

for employment opportunities in all career fields.

SEA Semester students go on to a wide variety of

careers and post-graduate pursuits. Here are just a

few of our alumni’s stories. Access more at

www.sea.edu/alumni.

Leonard Pace, W-178

FALL 2001

Science Program Coordinator, Schmidt Ocean Institute

Virginia Institute of Marine Science, MS Fisheries

Biology; Hampton University, BS Marine and

Environmental Science

My time as a student with SEA Semester

taught me lessons about oceanography and celestial

navigation, which became the core of my passion

for marine science. I also gained leadership skills and

understanding of meaningful responsibility when I had

the opportunity to serve as Junior Watch Officer.

After completing a John A. Knauss Fellowship, as well

as positions with the National Oceanographic and

Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service,

and National Science Foundation, I am now the Science

Program Coordinator for Schmidt Ocean Institute.

My primary duties are managing the proposal review

process for the selection of international, technologically

advanced, oceanographic research projects that are

conducted aboard the R/V Falkor.

Without a doubt, my time with SEA Semester is what

galvanized my desire to follow through with a career in

ocean sciences. Throughout my life and career, I have

benefitted from the experiences, friendships, and network

of SEA Semester alumni.

Since 1971, SEA Semester has educated nearly 8,000 undergraduates about the world’s oceans


43

Amy Rosenfeld Berry, C-143

WINTER 1996

CEO, Tahoe Fund

Brown University, BA American Civilization

I had spent a good part of my life competi-

tively sailing, but I had never spent time out

to sea on a large ship. I had also managed to

avoid biology classes in college and felt a deep immersion

through SEA Semester would be far preferable to

lecture halls. I was right. From the weeks on shore to an

incredible six weeks out at sea, I loved every minute of it.

Today, I run an environmental nonprofit called the

Tahoe Fund that supports important environmental

improvement projects in Lake Tahoe. I have a business

background, but I feel like I can relate to the scientists I

work with because of my immersion with SEA Semester.

I still keep in touch with some of my shipmates, and am

happy to call one of them a best friend for almost 20 years.

Rick Murray, W-71

SUMMER 1983

Professor of Earth & Environment, Boston

University. On detail as Division Director,

Ocean Sciences, National Science Foundation

University of California at Berkeley, PhD Geology

& Geophysics; Hamilton College, BS Geology

SEA Semester was one of the most

important events of my life. W-71 was a 12-week summer

program, and those 12 weeks were like eating intellectual

and social candy continuously 24/7.

Being entrenched in the famed Woods Hole community,

then going to sea, learning about my brain and body—these

were experiences that have stuck with me and upon which

I draw to this day. I learned what I was good at and, maybe

more importantly, what I was not good at. I saw natural

beauty so powerful that it almost made me cry.

SEA Semester did not create a new me, but it brought out

from within aspects of my nature and character that I hadn’t

realized were there.

Rebecca Trinh, S-242

SUMMER 2012

Intern, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

University of California, Berkeley,

BA Marine Science and Integrative Biology

I sailed with SEA Semester in the summer

of 2012 from Honolulu, Hawaii to San

Francisco, California. The month onshore in Woods Hole,

Massachusetts and the month out at sea were two of the

most profound months I have yet to experience.

SEA Semester taught me how to work with others,

how to effectively communicate ideas through howling

winds, and how to efficiently work as a team as waves

crash around us. The program also taught me how to

write a proper scientific proposal, carry it out with my

teammates, and make sense of it.

My time with SEA Semester only strengthened my resolve

to pursue oceanography as my career choice and to be

an ocean researcher despite the difficulty of conducting

field science on a rocking ship. I am currently working for

NASA JPL, using satellites to track wastewater plumes off

the coast of Southern California.

Together, not alone, you sail a tall ship across the ocean and that creates bonds and friendships that can never be broken. As they say —ship, shipmates, self. The bond between shipmates cannot be found elsewhere or recreated artificially. It’s deeper than anyone could imagine.

Jennifer Binkowski, University of Denver, Integrated Sciences Major

44

SEA Semester Admissions Counselors work with all applicants

individually to assist them in completing the admissions

process and facilitate the transfer of academic credit. They

are also often able to direct students to faculty or alumni

on their home campus for specific guidance. Many of the

Admissions Counselors are SEA Semester alumni, so they’re

an especially great resource for your questions!

SEA Semester welcomes applications from all students who

are seeking a semester’s worth of undergraduate academic

credit. Applicants may be enrolled at U.S. or international

colleges and universities.

Sea Education Association admits students of any race,

color, gender, orientation, and national or ethnic origin to all

programs and activities made available to students at SEA.

SEA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender,

orientation, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its

educational programs, admissions policies, or financial aid.

How to ApplyThe following items are required in order to be

considered for admission:

• SEA Semester online application

• $45 application fee - waived for affiliates

• Two-part original essay

• Academic writing sample of your own choosing

• Official college transcript (high school transcript also

required for students not in junior standing)

• Two academic references

• Phone or in-person interview with your

Admissions Counselor

Additional materials may be required for

international applicants.

When to ApplySEA Semester accepts qualified students on a first-come,

first-served basis until each program is full or until the

application deadline has passed. We welcome applications

as early as one year in advance, and encourage students to

apply early to ensure a spot in their preferred program. Visit

www.sea.edu/admissions to learn more.

Tuition & FeesProgram costs range from $9,800 to $28,900. These costs can

be greatly reduced by the transfer of federal or state aid, as

well as by SEA’s generous financial aid program. We also have

agreements in place with numerous colleges and universities that

allow students to transfer institutional aid from their home school.

Costs do not include transportation or personal expenses.

Visit www.sea.edu/programcosts for more information.

Need-Based Financial AidWe are committed to working with every qualified applicant

to make SEA Semester affordable. When packaging aid,

we take each unique financial situation into account. Thanks

to generous donors who recognize the importance of our

programs, we have significant financial aid resources that

allow us to provide students with both need-based and merit

aid. More than half of our students receive some form of

financial assistance; out of those, 95% receive aid from SEA.

Visit www.sea.edu/financialaid to learn more.

Merit & Special ScholarshipsPresidential Scholars - $7,500

One award for each SEA Semester program, excluding

summer programs. This is our most prestigious award.

Dean’s Awards - Up to $5,000

One award of up to $5,000 is awarded for each SEA Semester

program (excludes summer programs).

Merit Awards - Up to $5,000

A variety of these awards are available for each SEA

Semester program.

Additional Scholarships

A variety of additional merit awards are available. Please visit

www.sea.edu/scholarships for more information.

SEA SEMESTER ADMISSIONS, COSTS & FINANCIAL AID

SEA Semester awards over $1 million per year in need-based aid and merit scholarships.

Application Deadlines

Spring 2016: November 1, 2015

Summer 2016: April 1, 2016

Fall 2016: May 1, 2016

Spring 2017: November 1, 2016

http://www.sea.edu/financialaid

http://www.sea.edu/scholarships

45

Affiliated & Sending Institutions

Students from the following institutions have enrolled in recent

SEA Semester programs. Institutions listed in bold are formal

affiliates of SEA. A more complete list may be found at

www.sea.edu/academics/affiliates.

Don’t see your school? Don’t worry. This list is not exhaustive!

Students from a wide variety of institutions have participated in

our programs since 1971. Please contact the Admissions Office

with any questions about eligibility or credit transfer.

Albion College

Allegheny College

American University

Amherst College

Appalachian State

University

Bard College

Barnard College

Bates College

Beloit College

Boston College

Boston University -

School of Record

Bowdoin College

Brandeis University

Brown University

Bryn Mawr College

California State

University

Canisius College

Carleton College

Carnegie Mellon

The Catholic University

of America

Chapman University

Christopher Newport

University

City University of

New York, Brooklyn

Claremont McKenna

College

Clark University

Cleveland Institute

of Art

Colby College

Colby-Sawyer College

Colgate University

College of Charleston

College of St.

Scholastica

College of the Atlantic

College of the

Holy Cross

College of William

& Mary

College of Wooster

Colorado College

Colorado State

University

Columbia University

Connecticut College

Cornell College

Cornell University

Dalhousie University

Dartmouth College

Davidson College

Denison University

DePaul University

Dickinson College

Dillard University

Drexel University

Earlham College

Eckerd College

Elon University

Emerson College

Endicott College

Eugene Lang College

Evergreen State College

Franklin & Marshall

College

Franklin W. Olin College

of Engineering

Furman University

The George Washington

University

Georgetown University

Grinnell College

Guilford College

Hamilton College

Hampshire College

Hampton University

Harvard University

Haverford College

Hawaii Pacific

University

Hendrix College

Hobart & William

Smith Colleges

Humboldt State

University

Ithaca College

Jacksonville University

Johns Hopkins University

Juniata College

Kenyon College

Knox College

Lafayette College

Lake Forest College

Lawrence University

Lesley University

Lewis & Clark College

Loyola College

Luther College

Lynchburg College

Macalester College

Marist College

Marlboro College

Massachusetts Institute

of Technology

McGill University

Miami University of Ohio

Michigan State University

Middlebury College

Montana State

University

Morehouse College

Mount Holyoke College

Mount St. Mary’s

University

Muhlenberg College

New York University

North Carolina State

University

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Oberlin College

Ohio Wesleyan

University

Oregon State University

Pitzer College

Prescott College

Purdue University

Randolph College

Reed College

Rhodes College

Rice University

Ripon College

Rochester Institute

of Technology

Roger Williams

University

Rollins College

Rowan University

Salve Regina University

Santa Clara University

Sarah Lawrence College

Scripps College

Sewanee: University

of the South

Simmons College

Skidmore College

Smith College

Spelman College

St. George’s University,

Grenada

St. John’s College,

Santa Fe

St. Lawrence University

St. Mary’s College of

Maryland

St. Michael’s College

St. Olaf College

Stanford University

State University of New

York, Environmental

Science & Forestry

Stetson University

Stonehill College

Stony Brook University

Swarthmore College

Syracuse University

Temple University

Trinity College

Trinity University

Tufts University

Tulane University

Union College

Unity College

University of Arizona

University of the Azores

University of British

Columbia

University of California,

Berkeley

Los Angeles

Riverside

San Diego

Santa Barbara

Santa Cruz

University of Chicago

University of Colorado,

Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Delaware

University of Denver

University of Florida

University of Hawaii,

Hilo

Manoa

University of Kentucky

University of Maine,

Orono

University of Maryland,

College Park

Eastern Shore

University of Mary

Washington

University of

Massachusetts,

Amherst

Dartmouth

University of Miami

University of Michigan,

Ann Arbor

University of New

England

University of New

Hampshire

University of New

Mexico

University of North

Carolina, Chapel Hill

University of North

Carolina, Wilmington

University of Northern

Colorado

University of Oregon

University of

Pennsylvania

University of Puerto

Rico, Humacao

University of Puget

Sound

University of Redlands

University of Rhode

Island

University of San Diego

University of South

Carolina, Columbia

University of Southern

California

University of Texas,

Austin

University of Toronto

University of Vermont

University of Virginia

University of

Washington, Seattle

University of Wisconsin,

Madison

Ursinus College

Utica College

Vanderbilt University

Vassar College

Villanova University

Virginia Commonwealth

University

Warren Wilson College

Washington & Jefferson

College

Washington & Lee

University

Washington University in

St. Louis

Wellesley College

Wesleyan University

West Virginia University

Western Washington

University

Wheaton College

Whitman College

Whitworth University

Willamette University

Williams College

Yale University

http://www.sea.edu/academics/affiliates

T: (800) 552-3633 x770


www.sea.edu/sea_currents

School Store

seasemester.spreadshirt.com

Credits:

Katharine Enos Editor

Lauren Zike Project Manager

Fyfe Design Design

Photo credits: SEA alumni, faculty, staff, and friends.

Cover: Solvin Zankl Photography

I need the sea because it teaches me,

I don’t know if I learn music or awareness,

if it’s a single wave or its vast existence,

or only its harsh voice or its shining

suggestion of fishes and ships.

The fact is that until I fall asleep,

in some magnetic way I move in

the university of the waves.

Pablo Neruda, from THE SEA

http://www.sea.edu/sea_currents

http://seasemester.spreadshirt.com

http://www.sea.edu

https://www.facebook.com/SEA

https://twitter.com/sea_semester

https://www.youtube.com/user/SeaEducationAssn/

https://instagram.com/sea_semester/%3Fhl%3Den

Sea Education Association

P.O. Box 6

Woods Hole, MA 02543

800-552-3633 x770

800-977-8516 fax

www.sea.edu

Mission Statement

SEA is an educational institution dedicated to the

exploration, understanding and stewardship of the

oceans, and to the study of humanity’s relationship

with the oceans. SEA offers students an interdisci-

plinary curriculum, on shore and at sea aboard tall

ships, that provides challenging voyages of scientific

discovery, academic rigor, and personal growth.

http://www.sea.edu

SEA Semester Viewbook, 2016-2017

Documents

Transcript of SEA Semester Viewbook, 2016-2017