Overview of Dive Classes

SMS124: Basic Scuba

SMS124 provides students the opportunity to earn their Open Water Diver certification, which is considered the foundational certification for all dive activities. This is considered the entry-level dive class in our program.

The course has two 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.

SMS124 Course Details

Submit the SMS124 Student Application to the Diving Safety Officer, Colby Johns (colby.johns@maine.edu). NOTE: All dates should be listed in DD/MM/YYYY format.

SMS124_StudentApplication_Fillable (PDF)

The SMS124 course fee is $850. This fee covers all course materials, access to eLearning content, certification cost, pool access, rental of dive equipment, in-class transportation, and emergency gear. Course fees are paid to the Bursar’s Office and follow the standard university payment deadlines.

Confined Water Training

SMS124 is offered during the spring semester. In 2026 there are two sections, one based at the Darling Marine Center and one based in Orono. These class sessions cover all of the Confined Water skills required through the PADI Open Water Diver training.

Section 0001

  • Based at the Darling Marine Center in conjunction with the Spring Semester-by-the-Sea Program
  • Training at Bowdoin’s pool in Brunswick (transportation provided)
  • Thursdays, January 22nd through March 12, ~0900-1600

Section 0002

  • Based in Orono
  • Training at Wallace Pool in the Memorial Gym
  • Thursday evenings, March 26 through April 30, 1730-2200
  • Optional session on May 7

Open Water Training

In order to earn the PADI Open Water Diver certification, students must also complete open water checkout dives. Both sessions will be hosted at the Darling Marine Center in Walpole. There are two open water training sessions offered this year:

  • May 18 through May 22
  • May 26 through May 30
  • Housing and meals available at the DMC for additional fees (see DMC website for estimates).

Students unable to attend one of the open water sessions will be issued a PADI Referral Form that can be used to complete their training elsewhere.

The SMS124 2026 Syllabus for Section 0002 is provided here as an example. (Link to PDF)

Group of divers floating at the surface of a pool
Single diver underwater in a pool
Two people leaning over a rinse bin with dive gear
Diver underwater holding a crab
Diver underwater in a pool swimming through hula-hoop
University of Maine black bear flag with divers in water behind
Class Interest Form

Interest Form

Click here to complete our Interest Form and receive email notifications about upcoming courses.

SMS324: Intro to Research Diving

SMS324 provides students the training required to safely and efficiently conduct scientific work underwater. Scientific divers are expected to possess a level of knowledge and skill greater than entry level recreational divers. All scientific diver training at UMaine meets the standards of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS). 

SMS324 is considered the core dive class of our program. Through this course, students have the opportunity to earn the following certifications:

  • PADI Advanced Open Water
  • PADI Rescue Diver
  • AAUS Science Diver
  • DAN Diving First Aid

This is a 4-credit, academically rigorous, field-intensive class based at the Darling Marine Center. Students average ~20-25 training dives per semester at local dive sites.

Diver underwater holding a measuring stick swimming over kelp
Hand of diver holding a green sea urchin
Diver underwater with clipboard
Fish swimming over a kelp bed
Diver exiting water holding fins and science gear
Transect line, measuring stick, and small square quadrant lying on a rock

Enrollment

Enrollment is by instructor permission only. Each candidate must submit all required paperwork for review by the course instructor and Diving Safety Officer. For enrollment in SMS324, candidates must submit proof of an open water diver certification from a nationally-recognized training agency and participate in a swim assessment in order to be considered.

Class size is limited by instructor-to-student ratios set by the certifying agencies. We often have more students interested in participating than we can accept into a class. When this happens, we conduct a lottery process to select students for enrollment. SMS students and graduating seniors are given priority and then other students are selected using a randomized list. Non-SMS students and university faculty/staff are welcome to participate when space allows.

SMS324 Course Details

Submit all paperwork to the Diving Safety Officer, Colby Johns (colby.johns@maine.edu). NOTE: All forms require the date to be listed in DD/MM/YYYY format.

Prospective students must participate in a Swim Assessment and show adequate watermanship ability to be considered for enrollment. These performance metrics meet the minimum standards to be credentialed as an AAUS Science Diver:

  • Swim 25 yards underwater without surfacing (breath-hold)
  • Swim 400 yards in 12 minutes or less (free-style swim)
  • Actively tread water for 10 minutes
  • Transport another person a distance of 25 yards

The SMS124 course fee is $1100. This fee covers all course materials, access to eLearning content, certification cost, pool access, rental of dive equipment, in-class transportation, and emergency gear. Course fees are paid to the Bursar’s Office and follow the standard university payment deadlines.

All SMS324 class sessions start/end at the Darling Marine Center in Walpole.

SMS324 Summer 2026

  • June 8th through June 26th
  • Class meets daily, 0800-1800
  • Optional activities may be offered on the weekend but will not be required for certification

SMS324 Fall 2026

  • Wednesdays, 0800-1800
  • Offered in conjunction with the Semester-by-the-Sea program (DMC)

The 2026 syllabus for SMS324 is in development. Here is a link to the Fall 2025 syllabus and schedule as an example (Link to PDF).

Meet the Team

Elisabeth Maxwell walking with dive gear
Elisabeth Maxwell
Emmanuel Boss exiting the water with dive gear
Emmanuel Boss
Colby Johns smiling at camera with dive gear
Colby Johns

Elisabeth Maxwell is the Scientific Diving Coordinator and lead instructor for the School of Marine Sciences. She is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, AAUS Scientific Diving Instructor, and DAN Instructor. She is also a Research Associate in the Damian Brady Lab based at the DMC. Elisabeth is the primary contact for any class-related questions (elisabeth.maxwell@maine.edu).

Emmanuel Boss is a Professor in the School of Marine Sciences and a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and Emergency First Response Instructor. He has decades of experience in marine science and is in the process of being credentialed as an AAUS Scientific Diving Instructor.

Colby Johns is the University of Maine Diving Safety Officer. She is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, AAUS Scientific Diving Instructor, and DAN Instructor. She is based out of the Orono campus.

Take a peak at our underwater classroom in this UMaine featured video: