Summer Course FAQ

Course Information

Course Fees: Upon acceptance, participants will receive online banking details and payment  instructions. Credit card payments are accepted subject to an additional surcharge. 

Cancellation Policy: Note that banking institution fees related to any transactions will be  deducted from refunds. 

• Cancellation 25 or more working days prior to the course start date will result in a 100%  refund, less $100 administration fee.  

• Cancellation between 25 and 10 working days prior to the course start date will result in  a 50% refund.  

• Cancellation within 10 working days of the course start date will result in no refund except  under exceptional circumstances. 

Bursaries: All suitably qualified applicants may apply (on the application form) for bursary funding to assist with course fees. Awards are based on financial need. Financial support is not  available for students who intend to arrange vacation time in Bermuda before or after the course.  In addition, all recipients of bursary funding are required to contribute a testimonial, and they may  be asked to participate in activities to acknowledge and thank the sponsors who have made  funding possible. We also request that recipients do not discuss bursary details with other  participants. 

The level of bursary support available cannot be determined in advance. All bursary requests are  considered equally, and funding is allocated after the closing date when all applications, for all  courses, have been received and assessed. Award amounts will be dependent upon enrollment  and the total amount of support requested.  

Welcome Brochure: A welcome brochure will be provided in advance, containing useful  information to help you prepare for your time at ASU BIOS, such as a packing list, campus map,  what to expect, etc. 

Arrival & Departure Dates: Unless otherwise explicitly advised, participants should plan to arrive  the Sunday before the course begins and depart on the Saturday after the course ends. Accommodation and meals are included in the course fee for this period only. 

Participants who need to arrive or depart outside of the course dates should contact ASU BIOS  Reservations Manager (Jane Burrows, [email protected]) to enquire about the  availability and pricing of accommodation. Space, if available, will be allocated on a first come  first serve basis and will be at the participant’s expense. Reservations must be confirmed prior to  purchasing flights. Please note that the type and location of accommodation available for  additional nights may be different from that provided during the course. 

Late arrivals are not permitted, except for unavoidable flight delays, illness, etc. Early departures  are discouraged, but may be accommodated, if necessary, with the prior consent of the instructor. 

Accommodation: Course participants stay in dorm-style rooms. Depending on enrollment  numbers and availability, rooms may be single or shared with one or maximum two other  participants of the same gender. Some rooms have ensuite bathrooms; some have shared  facilities. We cannot guarantee that a particular type of accommodation will be available in  advance. 

Catering: Due to our remote location and kitchen size, it is not possible to ensure that our dining  facility is free from allergens. ASU BIOS is unable to cater to a wide range of food preferences,  intolerances, allergies and religious requirements. It is the responsibility of participants concerned  with food allergies/intolerances to be aware of the risk of exposure and to be able to respond  appropriately. Vegetarian options are available at each mealtime. If you have specific concerns  about your dietary requirements, please contact us in advance.

Course Transcripts & Academic Credit: All summer course participants will receive, via email,  a transcript (percentage and letter grade) after successful completion of the course. ASU BIOS  does not issue academic credit. Students seeking academic credit must contact us prior to  submitting their application to discuss the possibility of registering with Arizona State  University as a temporary non-degree seeking student, for which there is a modest additional  fee. Please note that retroactive registration is not possible. Students are also encouraged to  explore whether independent study credit may be available through their home institution. 

Requests for Academic Accommodations: Participants requiring academic accommodations  (e.g. extra time or a quiet room for exams, lecture notes in advance) must advise their specific  needs well in advance on an information form, which will be provided upon acceptance to the  course. Requests must be supported by an official letter from their home institution. 

Medical/Travel Insurance: Medical and travel insurance are not covered by ASU BIOS - medical  insurance is required for the duration of your stay and is the sole responsibility of the  participant. All visitors to ASU BIOS must ensure that they have (or can obtain) sufficient  insurance to cover any potential emergency medical costs while in Bermuda, including those  arising from SCUBA activities where applicable. 

Immigration: All visitors must have a return (outgoing) ticket to enter Bermuda - proof of which  may be requested by immigration officials upon arrival at the airport. All visitors must have a  passport valid for at least 45 days after their planned date of departure from Bermuda.  

All course participants must provide us with their travel details (arrival and departure dates, times,  airline and flight numbers) to ensure compliance with Bermuda Immigration regulations. 

Foreign nationals travelling to Bermuda do not require an entry visa. However, proof of residency  or a valid Multi Re-Entry Visa (MRV) may be required for either the U.S., U.K., or Canada,  depending on which of these countries you transit through on your way to Bermuda and your country of citizenship. Please review the list of visa-controlled countries available on this  webpage Immigration Information to determine if you require an MRV prior to purchasing flight  tickets. If an MRV is required, participants must be in possession of this upon arrival and it must  also be valid for at least 45 days after their planned date of departure from Bermuda.  

If applicable, participants should ensure they have a valid electronic travel authorisation for transit  through the U.S., Canada, the U.K. or the European Union e.g. ESTA, eTA, ETA, ETIAS. 

Taxi shares: We will connect participants travelling on the same flight, so that airport meet-ups and taxi shares can be coordinated. Please note that taxi transfers are a participant expense. 

Arrival at ASU BIOS: The course Teaching Assistant will meet participants and assist with  locating accommodation etc. All participants are expected to attend a welcome meet & greet on  the Sunday evening. 

Orientation: A mandatory orientation session will be held on the Monday morning immediately  before the course starts, followed by a brief tour of the campus. 

Recommended Readings: The course instructors will provide in advance. 

Course Schedules: ASU BIOS Summer Courses are academically rigorous. Participants should expect an intensive course, which may require evening and weekend sessions, plus private study  and preparation time. Schedules, in particular boat and field trips, are subject to change  dependent on weather and sea conditions. 

Additional questions should be directed to Audrey Pope, University Programs  Coordinator, at [email protected]


SCUBA Diving FAQs

 

Student Diving Information Packet (SDIP): To be permitted to dive, course participants must  complete and return various forms to the Dive Safety Officer. They must also meet certain health  and safety standards and may be required to have an in-person medical examination prior to  arrival in Bermuda. The Student Diving Information Package (SDIP), including all such forms and  supplemental information, will be provided after notification of acceptance to the course. 

Check-out Dive

  • ALL diving participants must undertake an ASU BIOS check-out dive involving  the following skills: 

  • Demonstrate proper self and buddy equipment check prior to water entry • Enter and exit water while wearing scuba gear 

  • Demonstrate regulator retrieval and clearing while submerged 

  • Remove and replace mask while submerged 

  • Remove and replace BCD while submerged 

  • Remove and replace weights while submerged 

  • Demonstrate ability to achieve and maintain neutral buoyancy while submerged • Demonstrate air-sharing ascents as both donor and receiver 

Required Equipment: See the list included in the SDIP. For any personal equipment, a recent  service verification (within 12 months of the course) must be submitted (a receipt will suffice). If  purchased within 12 months no service is needed (provide proof via receipt).  

Provided Equipment: Tanks, air and weights will be provided. 

Equipment Rental: A limited amount of diving equipment is available to rent. Weekly rental costs  are $25 for regulators (1st stage, 2nd stage, octopus, depth gauge and submersible pressure  gauge) and $25 for BCDs. Requests must be submitted to the Dive Safety Officer in advance,  along with the sizes required. Participants should bring their own wetsuit, fins, mask and snorkel.  

Maximum Diving Depth: The maximum diving depth is 60 feet (19 meters). 

Flying: For safety reasons your return flight date and time should allow for a minimum of 18 hours  after your last dive. 

The ASU BIOS Dive Safety Officer has final discretion with respect to diving privileges and  all other diving and snorkeling related matters. 

Additional questions regarding SCUBA activities at ASU BIOS should be directed to Kyla  Flook, ASU BIOS Dive Safety Officer, at [email protected]

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