To Observe Marine Life and Ocean Parameters, Unhas Biology Students Hold an Oceanography Field Course on Samalona Island
Students in the Biology Program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Hasanuddin University, successfully conducted a field practicum for the Introduction to Oceanography course, which took place on Samalona Island, Makassar City, South Sulawesi, on Monday, June 22, 2026. This annual routine activity is designed to provide students with an understanding and hands-on experience regarding marine ecosystem dynamics, aquatic environmental characteristics, and an introduction to marine biota, which are an important part of the tropical oceanographic system. Samalona Island was once again chosen as the location for the practicum because of its biodiversity and aquatic conditions, which are considered highly representative for basic oceanographic observations.
Throughout the activity, the students were actively involved in various observation and comprehensive data collection activities covering four main aspects: geology, physics, chemistry, and biology.
In the geological aspect, students observe sediment characteristics and coastal morphology. Meanwhile, in the physical and chemical aspects, they gain hands-on experience with methods for measuring oceanographic parameters such as temperature, salinity, and water clarity. Equally important, in the biological aspect, the focus is on identifying various types of marine life and gaining a deep understanding of the interactions between environmental factors and the coastal ecosystems surrounding the island.
To ensure the accuracy of the methods and safety in the field, this activity was directly supervised by the course instructor, Dr. Magdalena Litaay, M.Sc., along with a team of lab assistants. The presence of the supervising team played a major role in providing technical guidance, demonstrating equipment use, and interactively discussing unique findings in the field with the students. Through this collaborative and reflective learning experience, the Introductory Oceanography field practicum is expected to strengthen the core competencies and analytical skills of Unhas Biology students in the field of marine science.
Author: Nenis Sardiani, S.Si., M.Si.