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The School for Field Studies (SFS) Croatia - 21st Century Marine Pollutants (Summer I) (Outgoing Program) Print  Save 
  • Locations: Veli Lošinj, Croatia
  • Program Terms: Summer
  • Program Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: The School for Field Studies (SFS) 
  • Dates / Deadlines
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Program Type: Independent Summer Programs Language of Instruction: English
Class Standing: Graduate, Junior, Senior, Sophomore Areas of Study: Biology, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, History, Liberal Arts
Program Description:

SFS CROATIA: 21ST CENTURY MARINE POLLUTANTS (SUMMER I)

Croatia


PROGRAM DETAILS


Term | Summer Session 1

Credits | 4 semester-hour credits

Prerequisites | No course prerequisites | 2.5 GPA | Must be 18 years of age

Application Deadline | April 1st. Early applications encouraged!

Financial Aid | All accepted students can apply for need-based scholarships, grants, and loans.
 
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OVERVIEW

Along the rugged coastline and island-dotted waters of the Cres-Lošinj archipelago, you’ll step into the role of a marine field scientist. From research vessels, you’ll use hydrophones to listen in on dolphin communication and measure the underwater noise from human activity.

You’ll investigate how both sound and plastic pollution—from drifting debris to microscopic fragments—affect the health of sea turtles, dolphins, and the broader marine ecosystem. This hands-on course combines field research, data analysis, and conservation communication to equip you with the skills to study, interpret, and address some of the ocean’s newest and most urgent challenges. 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

→ Record and analyze underwater soundscapes by deploying hydrophones, capturing dolphin vocalizations, and measuring ambient noise to assess the impacts of tourism, shipping, and other human activity.

→ Apply acoustic analysis tools to interpret patterns in marine mammal communication and behavior. 

→ Conduct cetacean surveys through photo-identification and acoustic tracking to create profiles of individual animals and populations. 

→ Investigate plastic pollution by sampling the water column, seabed, and shoreline, documenting both the scale and distribution of marine litter. 

→ Develop your own public awareness campaign based on the results of marine litter research carried out during the course. 

LOCATION 

The SFS Center for the Conservation of Marine Megafauna is located on the northernmost archipelago of the Croatian islands on the outskirts of the village of Veli Lošinj. Veli Lošinj has restaurants, artisan shops, ATMs, a market, and a busy summer tourist season.

The Center is situated in an old garden forest with a view of the Kvarneric archipelago islands and the Northern Velebit Nature Park. Only 4 km away is Mali Lošinj, the largest Croatian island city, with multiple shops, banks, and a hospital. The accommodation is dorm-living with heating, four-person rooms with a bathroom.
 
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LEARN MORE

REQUEST INFORMATION

APPLY NOW

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CONNECT WITH SFS

• Visit our website: fieldstudies.org

• Email: admissions@fieldstudies.org

• Read updates from the field on our blog

• Follow us on Instagram

• Watch our videos on Vimeo



This is an independent study abroad program.
You must apply both on our web portal and directly to the program provider.

Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Summer 2026 04/15/2026 ** Rolling Admission TBA TBA
Summer 2027 03/05/2027 ** Rolling Admission TBA TBA

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.