Scientific Diving

SMS124 – Basic Scuba

Interested in participating? Complete this form.

The UMaine School of Marine Sciences offers a Basic Scuba certification course during the Spring term. Students have the opportunity to earn their PADI Open Water Diver certification, which is considered the foundational certification for all dive training. Students in SMS are prioritized, but we eagerly accept students and staff from other programs if space allows.

The course has two primary components: pool training (weekly sessions, during the semester), and open water training (offered in May, based at the Darling Marine Center). This 1-credit course is graded as Pass/Fail based on performance during the pool training. Participation in the open water training is required for completion of the certification (referrals can be provided for students unable to attend the open water sessions). Participation does not guarantee certification, all students must be able to demonstrate mastery of skills at a level that meets national standards.

Two sections of SMS124 are offered each year:

• Section 0001 is based at the Darling Marine Center (training at Bowdoin’s pool in Brunswick)
• Section 0002 is based on the Orono campus (training at Wallace Pool)

Enrollment in SMS124

Enrollment is by instructor permission only. Students must submit pre-course documentation prior to being approved to participate. This includes a medical form, which may require a physician’s approval. Read the forms carefully, and contact the course instructor if you have any questions.

Submit the following forms to the course instructor (see below):