2022 – 2023
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Professional Research Diving	
Career Cluster:	Hospitality & Tourism

CCC	
CIP Number	0249030401	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	14 credit hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	49-9092 – Commercial Divers	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Diving Business and Technology AAS degree program (0249030400).  

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Hospitality & Tourism career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Hospitality & Tourism career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to coursework that will prepare students for career in research diving. In addition to direct vocational qualification, courses taken in this certificate are applicable to an AAS in Diving Business and Technology.  

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate scuba diving skills at a proficient level.
02.0	Demonstrate the skills required for effective research diving.
03.0	Demonstrate proficiency in underwater scientific research and marine data collection methods. 

2022 – 2023
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Professional Research Diving	 
CIP Number:	0249030401	
Program Length	14 credit hours	
SOC Code:	49-9092

This certificate program is part of the Diving Business and Technology AAS degree program (0249030400).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Demonstrate scuba diving skills at a proficient level.  The student will be able to:	
01.01	Demonstrate the proper selection, care and use of basic scuba equipment including mask, fins, snorkel, buoyancy compensator, cylinder, regulator, instrumentation, exposure protection and weighting system; as well as auxiliary equipment such as knife, light and compass.	
01.02	Demonstrate effective pressure equalization techniques during ascent and descent.	
01.03	Demonstrate effective methods for entry and exit from the water.	
01.04	Demonstrate effective underwater buoyancy control. 	
01.05	Demonstrate effective surface procedures.	
01.06	Demonstrate effective underwater propulsion.	
01.07	Demonstrate effective underwater navigation.	
01.08	Demonstrate effective surface and underwater communication.	
01.09	Demonstrate understanding of decompression theory and planning with both dive tables and planning software.	
01.10	Demonstrate effective use of the diver buddy system.	
01.11	Demonstrate ability to effectively respond to out-of-air emergencies as both the donor and receiver.	
02.0	Demonstrate the skills required for effective research diving.  The student will be able to:	
02.01	Demonstrate scuba diving skills including buoyancy control and navigation at a level that permits safe and effective underwater survey and data collection.	
02.02	Explain basic research methodology, including experimental design.	
02.03	Describe marine archeological studies as they apply to preserving the fragile cultural artifacts and maritime heritage sites of the Florida Keys.	
02.04	Relate marine environmental studies to the preservation of the fragile marine ecosystems of the Florida Keys.	
02.05	Demonstrate commonly accepted methods of underwater data collection, recording and preservation procedures for scientific study.	
02.06	Demonstrate a basic understanding of the dynamics of natural ecological systems and submerged cultural resources within different depositional environments.	
02.07	Explain the importance of research and non-formal educational organizations in resolving conflicts relative to preserving the natural and cultural resources of the Florida Keys.	
03.0	Demonstrate proficiency in underwater scientific research and marine data collection methods. The student will be able to:	
03.01	Demonstrate competency in research diving techniques and procedures to support scientific research projects.	
03.02	Demonstrate the use of transects and quadrats to quantify the distribution and abundance of sessile marine organisms within a defined research area. 	
03.03	Demonstrate methodology for basic coral reef health survey protocols.	
03.04	Demonstrate commonly accepted methods of underwater data collection, recording and preservation procedures for the scientific study.	
03.05	Demonstrate a basic understanding of the statistical principles associated with the experimental design.	
03.06	Synthesize what was learned about research diving and other data collection techniques through a presentation, project or case study. 	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Laboratory activities for this program encompass a wide variety of both physical and natural environments including classrooms, a pool and an open water facility for student teaching; computer stations; equipment repair, storage and distribution areas (dive locker); actual and simulated underwater work stations in open water both inland and offshore; and diver delivery stations on docks, beaches and boats. Cooperative arrangements with local businesses allow advanced students to interact with real customers in the actual working environment. Laboratory activities range from basic motor skill development through the performance of complex underwater tasks, as well as diving supervision and teaching. Students participate in actual underwater work projects and serve as teaching assistants in actual courses. The primary diving laboratory, an on-campus, open water, all weather underwater training area (UTA), contains abundant marine life, archeological artifacts (timbers from an actual treasure galleon) a sunken boat, submerged vehicles including a school bus, a large aeration system, and several work diving simulators.

Special Notes

The State of Florida is the world’s leading employer in the business of recreational diving. Many of these businesses, along with other employers of underwater workers, are represented on the A.A.S. Degree Advisory Committee for Diving Business and Technology. Classes involving diving sometimes are conducted at the site of these businesses, which represent a regular source of employment of students, often even before completion of their degree. Interaction with special classes conducted regularly for diving employees of such agencies as the Florida Department of Transportation, South Florida Water Management District, public safety agencies, and Federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provide degree-seeking students with an opportunity for first-hand experience with careers in diving technology

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml.