WATCH: University of Victoria graduate student Mike Irvine talks to BC1‘s Aaron McArthur about his attempt to make history by defending his Masters thesis in real-time from the bottom of the ocean.
In what may be the world’s first, a University of Victoria grad student is going underwater to defend his Masters degree.
Mike Irvine will attempt to make history by defending his Masters thesis in real-time from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.
The project has been three years in the making, and this afternoon, he will finally defend his thesis while donning his scuba diving gear.
Irvine’s thesis is titled: “Underwater web cameras as a tool to engage students in the exploration and discovery of ocean literacy.”
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“The defense is the physical embodiment of the research itself,” says Irvine. “Underwater cameras give people around the world an opportunity to connect with marine sites from anywhere they are. The ocean is a mysterious place to a lot of people. Very few people around the world ever had the opportunity to see what’s down there, even locally. So, it is about motivating and engaging students in marine science through observation of life under water.”
His entire presentation should take 15 minutes, followed by questions from the committee.
Watch the live stream of Irvine’s thesis here. It starts at 12:30 P.T. this afternoon.
Irvine says he has a few “contingencies” in case technology does not cooperate.
Although his project is raising many questions and eyebrows, Irvine says his goal is clear.
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