RESEARCH-BASED LEARNING IN MARINE SCIENCE AT AN INTERDISCIPLINARY OFF-CAMPUS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

At an interdisciplinary, semester-long off-campus program based at a maritime history museum, students complete original research in all four of their required courses: marine science, maritime history, marine policy, and literature of the sea. A major academic outcome of the program is that students demonstrate both a broad and deep understanding of the ocean from scientific and humanities perspectives. For their marine science research, junior-level undergraduates (majors and non-majors) are introduced to the scientific process by first doing field work at sea. After students have significant experience collecting and analyzing data, they formulate their own research questions and select one to answer within the same semester, at or near the museum campus.

In four phases, students learn to do scientific research as scaffolding is increasingly removed. Phase 1 occurs during an offshore field seminar. Students are introduced to scientific research during a ten day research cruise aboard a sailing ship equipped with oceanographic equipment. The professor poses the research questions and students are guided through the collection, processing, analyzing, and presentation of data. Phase 2 occurs during field labs. First, students pose additional research questions based on the data collected at sea. Then, students examine a variety of coastal field sites, are introduced to on-going studies at those sites, and pose possible semester-length research questions. For phase 3, students each write a research proposal, based on one of their questions from phase 2. In phase 4, students collect field data and complete their projects. Student research is conducted at the docks of the museum, on the adjacent river, and at nearby marshes and rocky coastal environments. Finally, students are assessed on a scientific paper and oral presentation, and applicable results are shared with museum officials (e.g., sedimentation rates in the channel, shipworm density on wood near historic ships, water contamination). While this museum and off-program provides unique opportunities for faculty-student interaction and travel, this four phase model is applicable to a variety of educational and regional settings.