UW Sea-Going Research & Discovery Course

Martha James, a UW oceanography student, samples fluids from the CTD.

During the VISIONS '13 expedition, twenty undergraduate and graduate students are taking part in the University of Washington's Sea-going Research & Discovery Course. This course is designed to provide students with the experience of conducting interdisciplinary at-sea research on a major oceanographic expedition and to learn all aspects of seagoing activities associated with deployment of the cabled observatory.  During the field component of this course, students work alongside experienced scientists, engineers, and the ship's crew to conduct their own research using data collected with advanced oceanographic research instruments and vehicles. Communicating their experiences and work through the cruise website is another key component of this course. Follow along with individual students and read about the VISIONS' 13 expedition from their perspectives through the student blogs and daily logs.

This year we are pleased to share this oceanographic experiential learning opportunity with students of varied academic backgrounds, ranging from electrical engineering to atmospheric sciences, oceanography, and art. While on the R/V Thompson, students will work one-on-one with videographers to develop videos that refelct their immersion into hands-on at-sea research and shipboard work. For many, this is a life changing experience.