[Coral-List] Summer courses in marine science at Friday Harbor Labs

[Gustav Paulay]

Dear All - Sorry for the cross posting. Friday Harbor Labs is offering a variety of courses in marine science during the summer - see below. Further information can be found at the web site below. Financial assistance is also available. Cheers - Gustav 

http://depts.washington.edu/fhl/studentClasslist2007.html

SUMMER Session A 2007

Student applications due February 1*

*Applications will be accepted past due date if space available. For information, please contact Stacy Markman, FHL Student Coordinator.

The 5-week courses in summer are intended primarily for graduate students, with the exception of Marine Invertebrate Zoology. Courses may be taken sequentially, i.e., one in each summer session, but not concurrently. Well-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to graduate level courses with the consent of the Director and the faculty involved.



MARINE INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY

Session A June 11 - July 14, 2007

5 weeks: M-F 8-5; S 8-12

Biology 432 (9 credits)

Dr. Gustav Paulay and Dr. Alan Kohn

Comparative biology of marine invertebrate animals, focusing on morphology, natural history, functional biology, life history, and evolutionary relationships. Two daily lectures will provide overviews of the major and many smaller phyla, but the heart of the course comprises study of living animals in the laboratory and fieldwork in the diverse marine habitats surrounding San Juan Island.

Graduate students will receive enrollment preference but well qualified undergraduates are also encouraged to apply. Prior coursework in invertebrate biology or animal diversity is advisable but not essential. Enrollment is limited to 16 students. For additional information contact: paulay at flmnh.ufl.edu or kohn at u.washington.edu



NEUROETHOLOGY: The Neural Basis of Natural Behavior Using an Invertebrate System

Session A June 11 - July 14, 2007

5 weeks: M-F 8-5; S 8-12

Biology 533A (9 credits)

Dr. Jim Murray and Dr. Shaun Cain

The focus of this course is on the neural mechanisms that underlie behavior. During the course we will use invertebrates as model systems to investigate how individual neurons and groups of neurons contribute to a given behavior. To this end, we will investigate and discuss the neural control of behavior (orientation and navigation) at various levels of biological organization -- from behavioral to molecular.

The marine slug Tritonia diomedea glides on its foot and explores its world with a touch and taste sensitive oral veil (mustached like anterior tentacles), and it smells food and mates using its posterior head tentacles known as "rhinophores"). Photo by Dr. Jim Murray.

The course will consist of lectures/discussions of basic neurobiological principles and experimental work. The first week of experimental work will consist of learning common neurobiological procedures. The next four weeks, students will conduct two 2-week projects (either individually or in groups). Each project will culminate in an oral presentation and written report.

Two neurons in the pedal ganglion of Tritonia diomedea have been injected with the fluorescent chemical carboxyfluorescein. Each neuron extends its axon out of the ganglion and into nerves that control the foot, and small dendrites can be seen extending from the primary neurite into the central synaptic processing area of the ganglion. Photo by Dr. Jim Murray.

A wide array of experimental approaches will be available to the students, including indirect immunofluorescence, in situ hydridization, light-level microscopy, and intracellular and extracellular recordings from isolated central nervous systems, semi-intact preparations and unrestrained, freely behaving animals, and video analysis.

Enrollment limited to 12 students.

For additional information contact, Dr. Jim Murray or Dr. Shaun Cain.

COMPARATIVE EMBRYOLOGY OF THE MARINE INVERTEBRATES

Session A June 11 - July 14, 2007

5 weeks: M-F 8-5; S 8-12

Biology 536 (9 credits)

Dr. George Von Dassow and Dr. Sveta Maslakova

The Comparative Embryology course is a unique opportunity to witness the diversity of developmental mechanisms in marine invertebrates. We will observe spawning, fertilization, embryogenesis, larval development and behavior, and, in many instances, metamorphosis, in live cultures of selected species representing all the major invertebrate groups and several minor ones, including echinoderms, ascidians, mollusks, annelids, nemerteans, cnidarians, ctenophores, crustaceans, bryozoans, brachiopods, phoronids, chaetognaths, and others as available. The course consists primarily of the laboratory, in which students will learn and practice culture methods, light microscopy, and other essential techniques, while maintaining a running record of morphogenesis in as many species as can be concurrently maintained.

Although our principal focus will be the direct observation of normal development, we will also introduce students to various experimental techniques useful to modern embryologists. As interest and time allow, we will teach micromanipulation and microinjection, the use of fluorescent molecular probes in both live and fixed embryos and larvae, and several approaches to light microscopy. The course will provide the opportunity for motivated students to learn to use time-lapse video, fluorescence, and confocal microscopy. Field collecting trips will acquaint students with the rich invertebrate fauna around the San Juan Islands and the natural context in which invertebrate reproduction and development take place. Regular lectures will complement the laboratory, focusing on experimental embryology, the cell biology of development and morphogenesis, the functional design of larvae, and the evolution of development.

This is a graduate course, but exceptionally qualified undergraduate students will be considered. Students should already possess a basic familiarity with invertebrate zoology or developmental biology. Enrollment is limited to 12 students.

For additional information, contact dassow at u.washington.edu or maslak at u.washington.edu.


FISH SWIMMING: Kinematics, Ecomorphology, Behavior and Environmental Physiology

Session A June 11 - July 14, 2007

5 weeks: M-F 8-5; S 8-12

Fish 565 (9 credits)

Dr. Paolo Domenici and Dr. John Steffensen

Fish swimming is a multidisciplinary area of research that encompasses biomechanics, physiology, ecology and behavior. Knowledge of fish swimming is relevant both for students interested in mechanisms of locomotion, and those interested in locomotor adaptations to the environment.

The main subjects will be:

1) The kinematics and performance of swimming in fish using various locomotory modes

2) The ecomorphology of fish locomotion

3) Locomotor strategies

4) Metabolic aspects of fish swimming

5) The effect of various environmental factors on fish swimming.

These topics will be treated in lectures and laboratory/field sessions. Students will learn techniques of video analysis, kinematics, energetics and respirometry. The first half of the course will have an emphasis on lectures and explanations of techniques for studying fish swimming in the laboratory and in the field. In the second half of the course, emphasis will be placed mainly on laboratory work. Students will pursue independent research projects. These will be discussed between each student and the instructors, who will also suggest a number of relevant projects. At the end of the course, students are expected to present the results of their independent projects orally and as a written report in the format of a scientific paper. Enrollment limited to 12 students.

More details can be found at http://www.mbl.ku.dk/JFSteffensen/FHL.

For additional information contact: p.domenici at imc-it.org or JFSteffensen at zi.ku.dk


SUMMER Session B 2007

Student applications due February 1st*

*Applications will be accepted past the due date if space available. For information, contact FHL Student Coordinator Stacy Markman.

The 5-week courses in summer are intended primarily for graduate students, with the exception of Marine Invertebrate Zoology. Courses may be taken sequentially, i.e., one in each summer session, but not concurrently. Well-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to graduate level courses with the consent of the Director and the faculty involved.


MARINE AND COASTAL CONSERVATION SCIENCE: Concepts and Practice

Session B July 16 - August 18, 2007

5 weeks: M-F 8-5; S 8-12

Biology 533B (9 credits)

Dr. Dan Brumbaugh, Dr. Marjorie Wonham, and Dr. Carrie Kappel

Students in this course will examine the conceptual underpinnings and practice the empirical tools of conservation science in marine and coastal environments. We will explore which terrestrial conservation lessons may be imported to the oceans and where novel approaches are needed for successful marine conservation and management. We will examine the theoretical and empirical effects of species removals, species additions, and changes in population age and size structure on population- and community-level processes in nearshore ecosystems. We will also look at higher order alterations of marine systems (e.g., food web alteration, habitat degradation) and examine approaches to addressing these changes such as active restoration, marine protected areas, and ecosystem based management. Though the primary focus of the course will be ecological, we will also explore the intersection of natural and social sciences in conservation science and problem-solving through guest lectures and case examples. Emphasis will be placed on both the conceptual foundations of marine conservation science and the practical application of these principles to conservation planning.

This course will be structured as an engaging mix of field and classroom activities, aimed at giving students hands-on experience in marine conservation science and set within a broader context. Activities will include

* Daily lectures, including guest lectures by natural and social scientists engaged in marine conservation research and practice

* Discussions of the primary literature

* Hands on computer exercises to explore population modeling, marine reserve design, and basic and advanced statistical analyses

* Lab and field based research, including an introduction to the flora and fauna of local nearshore habitats and methods for censusing biodiversity

* Mock participatory conservation planning or policy process on a relevant regional issue

* Student-designed independent projects

Students will leave this course with a greater familiarity with the natural history and species composition of nearshore habitats of the San Juan Islands and surrounding region. They will gain hands on experience designing an independent research project, applying univariate and multivariate statistical analyses to real data, and interpreting and presenting results. Students with existing research diving experience may choose to incorporate a subtidal component to their project; otherwise fieldwork will take place in intertidal habitats around the San Juan Islands.

Graduate students are encouraged to apply. Enrollment limited to 12 students.

For additional information contact: brumba at amnh.org or mwonham at ualberta.ca or kappel at nceas.ucsb.edu

MARINE BIOACOUSTICS

Session B July 16 - August 18, 2007

5 weeks: M-F 8-5; S 8-12

Fish 507 (9 credits)

Dr. Chuck Greene and Dr. John Horne

The primary goal of this course is to provide advanced undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral investigators with a broad understanding of the acoustic tools and techniques required to address fundamental questions of the behavior and ecology of cetaceans, fishes and zooplankton. By bringing together many of the top research students in marine bioacoustics and bioacoustical oceanography, new cross-disciplinary interactions will be encouraged. Students will be exposed to the latest theories in underwater acoustics as they pertain to studying pelagic animal behavior and ecology 'in situ.' Student also will have a unique opportunity to work with active scientists using state-of-the-art tools and techniques.

Enrollment limited to 12 students.

For additional information, download the promotional poster, or e-mail chg2 at cornell.edu or jhorne at u.washington.edu.

MARINE ALGAE

Session B July 16 - August 18, 2007

5 weeks: M-F 8-5; S 8-12

Biol 539 (9 credits)

Dr. Paul Gabrielson and Dr. Charles O'Kelly

The theme of this course is marine algal biodiversity, in particular benthic macroalgae (seaweeds) and microalgae (primarily diatoms). We emphasize hands-on field and laboratory work, using both classical and molecular methods, to investigate questions of, for example, algal phylogeny, ecology, biogeography, species diversity and species introductions. Lecture topics include: evolutionary survey of major groups of algae, algal survival adaptations (reproduction, life histories, functional morphology, interactions with competitors and predators), the ecological role of algae in benthic ecosystems, algal biogeography and the theory and principles of phylogenetic analysis as applied to algae. Laboratory work will focus on techniques essential for the collection, identification, cultivation and molecular analyses of algae from their diverse natural habitats. Field trips will be numerous, as the diverse and species-rich aquatic habitats on and around San Juan Island provide ideal sites for benthic macro- and microalgae.

The class is at the graduate student level, but exceptionally qualified undergraduate students will be considered. Enrollment is limited to 12 students.

For additional information contact: drseaweed at hotmail.com or cokelly at bigelow.org



LARVAL BIOLOGY

Session B July 16 - August 18, 2007

5 weeks: M-F 8-5; S 8-12

Biology 533C, Ocean 578 (9 credits)

Dr. Danny Grunbaum and Dr. Richard Strathmann

Emphasis is on functional requirements and constraints for embryos, larvae, and juveniles of marine animals. Topics include parental investment per ovum, fertilization, parental protection and retention of embryos, extraembryonic nutrition, larval feeding and swimming, functional morphology of embryos and larvae, dispersal, settling, mortality, recruitment, effects of larval nutrition on performance of juveniles, juvenile ecology, and evolutionary transitions between modes of development. The course includes two short research projects by groups of 2 or more students with a short written paper from each project. One or two lectures each day and discussion of a published research paper each week provide background on this field of research. The course also includes demonstration of methods to the whole class.

Enrollment limited to 12 students.

For additional information contact: random at u.washington.edu or rrstrath at u.washington.edu

See the FHL Student Cost webpage for additional information.