Pondicherry, India

Academics

Dive into Research

diver

As a BCA student in Pondicherry, you will explore reefs, mangroves, estuaries, islands and coasts as you conduct marine science field research at a variety of sites including the Havelock and Nicobar Islands, the Andaman Islands and Mangalore Fisheries. In addition to hands-on experience in the field, you will take courses at the Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning (FERAL) related to marine science, conservation, chemistry, gender and culture and sustainable development.

The BCA India Pondicherry program covers a broad range of topics in coastal zone management and marine science and is hosted by six organizations including:

  • Foundation for Ecological Research Advocacy and Learning in Pondicherry (FERAL)
  • Annamalai Centre for Advanced Studies in Marine Biology in Porto Nova
  • College of Fisheries in Mangalore
  • National Institute of Oceanography in Goa
  • Andaman and Nicobar Environment Team in the Andaman and Nicobar islands
  • Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute in Tuticorin

Foundation for Ecological Research Advocacy and Learning (FERAL)

You will spend most of your time living and studying at FERAL and take excursions and short stays at the other locations.

Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning (FERAL) is a non-profit research organization founded in 1997 and based in Pondicherry, India with a field research center in Tamil Nadu.  FERAL emphasizes the value of ecological research and advocacy and focuses its mission on combining science with social justice initiatives.

  • Key areas of work include conservation oriented research, natural resource management, training and environmental monitoring.  A proactive role towards local environment issues is encouraged by engaging local communities in dialogue, as also through awareness and training programs.
  • Current work is with coastal communities to explore opportunities in sustainable resource utilisation and building strategies for restoration of native coastal habitats. Research also focusses on wildlife conservation biology and valuation of ecosystem services.  In addition, FERAL works with eight women Self Help Groups in an effort to empower women belonging to low socio-economic status groups.
  • You will be able to apply your research at FERAL in a way that feeds into the current activities and benefits the host community.

Annamalai Centre

Annamalai Centre for Advanced Studies in Marine Biology is located near Porto Nova in Chidambaram.

College of the Fisheries in Mangalore

College of the Fisheries in Mangalore, was founded in 1969 and became the first Fisheries College to be started in India and the second in South-East Asia.

  • The mission of the college is to promote education and research in fisheries science.
  • It operates on a semester system and offers courses in Bachelor of Fisheries Science, Master of Fisheries Science and Ph.D. degree programs
  • The college’s library has 14,000 books, 5,800 periodicals as well as a collection of theses, pamphlets, technical reports and 50 international journals. 
  • The College of the Fisheries houses a sports and exercise facility where students may participate in club activities, such as badminton, volleyball, track, and basketball.
  • A computer center houses 25 computers.

Read more about our College of Fisheries Track

National Institute of Oceanography in GOA

Established in 1966, The National Institute of Oceanography is headquartered in Dona Paula, Goa.  Its mission is:

  • To develop knowledge on physical, chemical, biological, geological, geophysical, engineering and pollution aspects of the waters around India
  • To provide support to various industries, government and non-government organizations through consultancy and contract research
  • To disseminate knowledge on the waters around India

Andaman and Nicobar Environment Team (ANET) in the Andamans

ANET’s primary aim is to help ensure the long-term survival of as much of the A&N natural biodiversity as feasible, while recognizing the needs of people, especially the threatened aborigines.

There are a variety of  on-going biological research programs, including survey of sea turtles and crocodiles since 1977, sociological and ethnological studies and environment educational programs. Biological (botanical and zoological) inventories and impact assessments for three protected areas have been conducted.  Regular interaction with the Forest Department, Tribal Councils and local administration has helped in broadening the reach of information.  As a direct outcome of its biological research and networking efforts, ANET is able to develop well-informed and workable conservation strategies to help ensure the survival of endangered species and habitats.

Diving — The Andaman Island part of the program, in particular, requires students to have had diving training for certification (PADI Open Water Diving certification). In order to participate fully  in this section of the program, you will need to present proof of such certification. This will ensure that you are adequately prepared to follow standard safety procedures involved in scuba diving.

  • Students will never be allowed to dive alone or without the appropriate supervision.
  • All students will have a dive card and will be required to show a dive log book.
  • If you have not taken a dive in the last six months, then you will be required to take a refresher course before participating in any dives on the program.
  • Alternative options for students who have no certification or are unable to dive include: snorkelling, low-tide ecology research, and compiling beach profiles.
  • The program will cover costs of instruction related diving. Refresher courses, certification fees and additional dive costs are to be borne directly by the student

Suganthi Devadason Research Institute in Tuticorin.

Based in Tuticorin, SDMRI is an institution of marine research and higher education. Its objectives are to cater to the research needs in the field as well develop programs for the socio-economic upliftment of the coastal communities. It is recognized by the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University as a Marine Research Center and University Grants Commission. Areas of research focus include marine and coastal biodiversity, conservation and management, reef ecosystem remediation and  biofouling. Coastal communities are involved through socio-economic surveys, training and demonstrations in alternative livelihood opportunities. In addition, summer training programs for young researchers are conducted and a reef ecosystem information facility is maintained.

Required Courses

All students will take the following courses.Course Evaluation is based on overall course participation, short papers, section quizzes, and a final project.

Field Methods in Marine Systems

This is the methods portion of the program including field techniques, quantitative methods, and a scientific writing seminar. The student requirements will be a short paper, four section quizzes and a final exam.

Island Ecosystems

This course will introduce the students to island ecosystems from both applied and theoretical viewpoints. The course will run in the Andaman Islands. The topics covered will include island fauna, island flora, reef ecosystems, and a ridge to reef view of these complex biotas.

Upland Process and Estuaries

This course will introduce students to estuaries and upland processes. About 50% of the course will be at field sites with the discussion and activities intended to give a very close view of the processes, ecology, and issues in coastal watersheds and estuaries.

Coastal Zone Management

This course will cover the current legal status, international treaties, state and central government coastal zone management regulations, and the history and current status of conflict and the attempts to overcome that conflict in India. This includes shrimp farming, over fishing, pollution, shipping, oil spills changes in beach morphology and coastal topography from weirs dams, etc.
Language Tutorials: You will be taking some tutorials in Tamil.  While in Mangalore you will learn a little Hindi, but the primary language you will use is Tamil.  You will have the option for more intensive tutorials if you choose.

You will also choose one course from the following two options:

Art as Sustainable Development

Pottery, Beadwork, Leatherwork, and Sculpture. The arts of coastal India include pottery, beadwork, stonework, leatherwork, and jewelry. This course will provide the opportunity to work with the artists who train local people and produce these works for sale. You will also visit the production factories and cottage industries where these products are produced for market. Students wishing to further their study in any of these fields may negotiate more time in the studios.

Culture, Class and Gender

This course will cover issues of gender and other disadvantaged groups in coastal management. Fishing villages' areas are often composed of people who are ethnically, religiously, or class wise distinct from upland populations. Women furthermore also have culturally distinct roles in the resource harvesting, production, and processing of natural resources.

Optional Research Project Extension

For an additional fee, you can extend your stay beyond the regular semester for three weeks longer and continue to work on a research project with the center.  If you wish to count your project for academic credit, you must file a request to do this and write up your results in a final project paper.