OSU is an organizational member in good standing with the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and operations are conducted in accordance with the AAUS Standards for Scientific Diving (PDF) (Nov 2019). All persons conducting scientific diving under the auspices of Oregon State University (OSU) must be authorized to do so and have their dive plans approved by the OSU Diving Safety Officer (DSO) and Diving Control Board (DCB).
To be eligible for OSU Scientific Diver authorization, a person must be a current student, staff, faculty, or approved volunteer and have a need to dive as part of their schooling, research, or work for the University.
AAUS standards require a minimum of 100 hours of theoretical and practical training. These may be achieved through a scientific diver course, a combination of a scientific diving course and advanced recreational dive training, or through extensive recreational dive training. Experience in lieu of training will be determined on an individual basis by the DBSO and approved by the DCB. Confined and open water diving evaluations with the OSU DSO or designee may be required for individuals not receiving their training through the OSU Scientific Diving Program. To complete the 100-hour training program, divers must have logs documenting at least 12 hours of bottom time in research. The OSU Scientific Diver Exam must be satisfactorily completed by all Scientific Diver Applicants.
OSU offers Introduction to Scientific Diving in the spring term. This is a 4 credit, term long course and permission from the instructor is required to register. Interested students should review the prerequisites listed below and contact the DBSO for more details.
Minimum Course Prerequisites:
Recommended Course Prerequisites: