Interested in learning how to scuba dive? Enroll now in AQUA 220: Open Water Scuba! This hands-on course is open to all undergraduate students and offers a unique opportunity to build both knowledge and practical skills in a dynamic learning environment.
Summer 2026: Sunday, May 3 through Sunday May, 10: 10 am - 2 pm
Fall 2026: Choose Section 1: M/W 1-2:50 or Section 2: T/Th 1-2:50
AQUA 220 (Open Water Scuba; 3 credits) introduces students to recreational diving through a combination of classroom instruction and pool-based (confined water) training. Students will explore essential topics such as diving physics, physiology, equipment use, environmental awareness, and safe dive planning. The course also includes skill development in snorkeling, swimming, and scuba techniques, emphasizing safety and enjoyment.
This course is open to all undergraduate students with no prerequisites.
AQUA 220 is an excellent fit within the University Core Curriculum (UCC) as it supports personal wellness and lifelong learning. Students will develop physical fitness, confidence in aquatic environments, and critical decision-making skills related to safety and environmental conditions. The course also aligns with social responsibility themes by introducing topics such as marine conservation, sustainable diving practices, and respect for aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, it connects to the social and behavioral domain by encouraging teamwork, communication, and trust through buddy-based diving practices.
Catalog Description – This course provides a comprehensive introduction to recreational SCUBA diving through classroom and pool training. Students will study fundamental concepts including gas laws, buoyancy, decompression theory, and the aquatic environment, while developing practical diving skills. The course also includes a research component focused on topics such as marine conservation, marine biology, or public safety diving. Upon successful completion of course requirements and optional open water dives, students may earn a non-expiring Open Water Diver certification.