Department Contact:
Chair: Dr. Kristofer Wisniewski, kwisniewski@francis.edu, 814-471-1132
Program Description:
Hyperbaric Physiology is the physiology of diving. It is an active research area in physiology, especially for those employed or funded by the military. Therefore students with this interest often enroll in graduate or medical school. This minor is an additional possible curricular choice, and is a modification of the Biology Diving minor. The Biology Diving minor is associated with the Marine Biology program, and includes courses in Fish Identification, Coral Reef Physiology, Field Biology and several others. The Exercise Physiology Diving Minor however is focused on the physiology of diving, rather than the ecology of the Marine Environment.
Classes are offered through Francis Worldwide with two or three Open Water Diver courses offered each year. In addition, one Advanced Open Water course is offered during the fall semester with a Rescue Class often offered once every other fall. Most courses are offered during the fall semester due to water temperatures. However, some specialties are offered over spring break some years. Multiple specialty courses are offered over one or two weekends with students registering through Francis Worldwide for “specialty courses” rather than one specific course. Thus, all specialty courses taught in a weekend with lectures prior to the weekend would be considered one course for instructional credit. Scuba instructor courses have been taught on campus three times over the past 13 years, so teaching of the Instructor Level courses occurs only once every three years.
Total Credits Required:
16 credits
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