Learning from the sea aboard R/V Skagerak
Practice and theory come together with sun and sea when first-year students of the Bachelor's programme in Marine Science get to test their knowledge on board the R/V Skagerak.
"It is important that students go out to sea to see the connection between sea and land," says Professor Katarina Abrahamsson.
The sun is shining and the sea is almost completely calm when R/V Skagerak leaves Nya Varvet in Gothenburg this early Wednesday morning.
Fieldwork at sea
"Fieldwork and excursions are great ways to have real life experience," says Cecilia Spångberg, a first-year marine science student at the University of Gothenburg, who is looking forward to the trip as the semester draws to a close.
There are about ten students on board. On this day, they will be taking samples both at the mouth of the Nordre älv and further out to sea at a depth of about 100 metres, says Katarina Abrahamsson, Professor of marine chemistry at the University of Gothenburg.
"We've had a course where the students have learnt different scientific terms, and now we're going out to take different measurements so that they can use their new knowledge," she says.
Katarina Abrahamsson believes that it is a good thing for students to get out and experience what it is like to work with marine research on the ground:
"It is important that students have the possibility to go out on the ocean to see the connection between land and the open sea," she says.
"We all know that our planet is covered more by sea than by land, and we know a lot about the land, but we still know very little about the seabed. That's why I think it's important for the students to get out there and become more aware of it.
It's great that the students at the University of Gothenburg have the opportunity to gain experience on board a research vessel of this size.
"Getting to try out fieldwork on the R/V Skagerak so early in the programme is special," says Laurenz Thomsen, Professor of marine sedimentology.
Important experience on board
"It's fantastic that students at the University of Gothenburg have the opportunity to gain experience on board a research vessel of this size already during the first year. This is unique for the University of Gothenburg as far as I know," he says.
He squints at the sun and continues:
"Right now the weather is very nice, but it can be the complete opposite, and they see how difficult it is to take samples and how precious those samples are. They need to understand that ship time is expensive, but you can do so much with these ships, and how important the research on vessels is."
When we get back to the lab, we can work with the samples, but this is where we do the hard work
For Ruben Lundgren, a first-year Bachelor of Marine Science student, it is an intense day on board - which he appreciates.
"Here we get the opportunity to do practical work and it's a lot of fun. When we get back to the lab, we can work with the samples, but this is where we do the hard work," he says.
For Ruben, the sea and the marine environment have always been an important part of his life. Now a future career in marine research beckons.
"I have always loved the sea, swimming, diving and surfing. So when I saw information about this programme, I applied and was lucky enough to be accepted. I'd like to be able to do research in the future, so maybe a Master's and then a PhD. We'll see what the future holds," he says, as the contours of the "Karlatornet" become sharper and the R/V Skagerak approaches Gothenburg again.