Coral Reef Conservation: Hawai’i - Summer 2025

Undergraduate Program

Hawai'i's coral reefs are home to one of the highest concentrations of endemic species in the world.

Due to the high percentage of endemic species, Hawai’i is crucial in understanding the impacts of climate change and human activities to marine ecosystems. Through the integration of MPAs, community-led conservation, and traditional Hawaiian resource management (ahupua‘a systems), Hawai‘i provides a unique case study, showcasing how these strategies collectively can contribute to reef restoration, ecosystem resilience, and enhanced environmental stewardship.

Through coursework in Hawaii followed by a research voyage at sea, students in this summer program will study tropical marine ecosystems, their ecological and socio-economic roles, and how humans affect coral reefs through terrestrial activities, climate change impacts, and diversity of management strategies. While on shore in Oahu, students will learn about coral reef science, human impacts (good and bad) on marine ecosystems, and management strategies used across the Main Hawaiian Islands through classes, field trips, service learning, and guest speakers. They will also design comparative reef projects to be carried out on shore and at sea in the tropical Pacific. During their time at sea aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans, students will continue to refine snorkel-based reef survey techniques by collecting data across reefs in Hawaii. Students will also learn how to crew a tall ship and hone leadership skills, all while sailing around the Hawaiian Islands.

This program is for any student interested in exploring the changing Pacific Ocean environment through hands-on research and leadership experience at sea and is an opportunity to contribute to a growing body of knowledge about the health of coral reefs.

Students will participate in snorkel survey operations on a variety of reef ecosystems, collect real-time marine ecology and oceanography data, develop leadership skills, and ground-truth beliefs about effects of policies and global change in the Pacific.

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Summer 2025

Jul 10 - Aug 10

Jul 10 - Jul 22

Remote Shore

Jul 23 - Aug 10

At Sea

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Learning Objectives

Students participating in this program can expect the following:

Understand local management strategies used to protect marine resources including corals

Learn and apply field-based methods in tropical marine ecology and oceanography research

Contribute to marine conservation projects in partnership with local communities in Hawaii

Locations

Honolulu, Hawai'i to Honolulu, Hawai'i

Port Stops

*Port stops are not guaranteed and will be evaluated based on weather conditions closer to the sea component.

Remote Shore

Academic Credit

Course Descriptions & Syllabi

This program offers 4 credits from Boston University for successful completion of the program.

Coral Reef Conservation: Hawaii, offers independent research experience (DOR) or introduces students to scientific research through collaborative projects (POR)

Syllabi for previous years are available for review. Detailed course content for future programs is dependent on cruise track, seasons, port stops, current events and faculty, and will be available closer to the program start date.

Choice of:

Directed Oceanographic Research300 level, 4 credits

Two lab science courses (one at the 200-level or higher) or consent of instructor.
Design and conduct original oceanographic research. Collect data and analyze samples. Compile results in peer-reviewed manuscript format and share during oral or poster presentation session. Emphasis on development of research skills and written/oral communication abilities.

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Practical Oceanographic Research200 level, 4 credits

Introduction to oceanographic research. Design a collaborative, hypothesis-driven project following the scientific process. Collect original data. Conduct analysis and interpretation, then prepare a written report and oral presentation.