Program Overview

The International Studies Institute (ISI Florence) was established in 2001 as an independent private educational organization serving as an American center for higher education in Florence, Italy. After running multiple iterations of a successful summer program in Marine Biology across Florence and Elba Island, ISI Florence now offers a semester-long program in Interdisciplinary Marine Studies.

For its Interdisciplinary Marine Studies Program, ISI Florence has partnered with a variety of academic institutions, associations and organizations. Among these include the World Biodiversity Association Onlus, Zaratan Research and Higher Education Center, Maricap, the Cetacei Research Center, The Tuscan Archipelago National Park, Biodivers Elba Sea Academy, and many others.

This program includes students in active research projects, giving them the chance to collect data in one of the most unique marine environments on the planet. Students will visit the Marine Protected Area of Pianosa and the National Research Counsel, aquaria, a turtle rescue, will monitor cetaceans, and will explore mines, wetlands and other ecological areas.

Key skills developed through this program include:

• Developing and applying core techniques for marine research and environmental resource management.
• Designing and conducting research projects based on evidence.
• Strengthening critical thinking to analyze and understand complex environmental and conservation issues.
• Achieving technical proficiency in data collection, running analysis using R and RStudio.
• Sharpening presentation skills across various communication formats and interactive media.
• Translating complex scientific concepts into accessible language for audiences such as the general public, academic peers, and policymakers.

Visit the program page on our website (here) to learn more.

Academics

This program is a unique semester opportunity that serves as a 15-credit pre-professional experience for students interested in biology and marine studies. Courses include:

• BIOL 483: Environmental Marine Biology and Sustainability
• STAT 220: Data Matters: Biostatistics for the Life Sciences
• BSC 345: From Data to Discovery: Narratives of the Sea in Scientific Communication
• ITAL 101: The Florence Experience I

BIOL 483 is taught on Elba Island off the Tuscan coast. It is an immersive course that includes full days in the sea, excursions, and various projects. To prepare for the course, students will practice scientific diving techniques in a pool and will train on data collection basics before moving to the Island for 3 weeks. On the island, students will engage in hands-on data collection alongside active research scientists. This is the only class students take during the 3 weeks on the island. They then return to Florence to complete the course's final and enjoy a week-long semester break.

After the semester break, students complete STAT 220 and BSC 345 side by side. STAT 220 is a course designed to help students delve into the data they collected on the island and learn how to apply it. In BSC 345, students learn how to tell the story of their data - both for academic publication and in presentations to the general public. Students will present in front of experts and researchers as they contribute their findings to real marine research. Former students have continued their research after completing Marine studies with ISI Florence and are actively pursuing joint publications.

Activities & Excursions

Various academic field trips and site visits, as well as guided tours, are included in this program. While precise activities may vary slightly from one semester to the next due to availability, the most recent program engaged in the following:

• 5-hour training in swimming pool with ISI Faculty
• Research diving on Elba Island (equipment rental included)
• 3-weeks on Elba Island for BIOL 483 (room and board included)
• Mediterranean Cetaceans Sanctuary
• Tuscan Islands Natural Museum and Sustainable Tourism Center
• Ginevra Mine (Magnetite Gallery)
• Mola's wetland within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park
• Pianosa Island and Base Ricerca Pianosa CNR (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche)
• Sea Turtle Rescue, Care and Rehabilitation Center
• Aquarium in Cattolica (Rimini)

Language and Location Information

All courses are taught in English, with the exception of the Italian 101 course. While most of the program will take place in Florence, Italy, participants will also spend 3 weeks on Elba Island, off the coast of Tuscany. 

Please see general program inclusions and exclusions for the portion of the program offered in Florence. While on location at Elba Island, the following additional expenses are included in student program fees:

• Housing on Elba Island (housing, laundry and towels)
• Meals on Elba Island, full board
• Insurance coverage for snorkeling and activities in water
• ISI Faculty and TA
• Transportation for all tours, field trips, and activities in Florence and on Elba Island
• Equipment Rentals on the island, as well as textbooks and materials
• 5-hour training in swimming pool 

Housing Information

Check out ISI Florence's Housing FAQ to learn more about student apartments in the city of Florence. Our website also contains photos of standard student housing, among other details. 

On Elba Island, students will live together with full board at a comfortable hostel central to the program's various diving and field trip sites.

Program Requirements

To participate in this program, students must have completed one semester of basic concepts in biology, ecology, and/or zoology. In addition, students will be required to submit the following items at least 90 days prior to the start of this fall semester program:

• Certification of a swim test: students must complete an official swimming test and provide a copy of the certification to ISI. These can often be completed at a student's home university pool.
• Certification of CPR and First Aid: mandatory training and certificate. Please note all CPR/First Aid courses must be issued in person and must have a practical component. Online certifications are not accepted in Italy.
• Medical statement signed by a physician.
• Liability waiver form provided by ISI Florence.