*Summer Field Courses at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre*
At the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre field, lecture and laboratory work are combined into unforgettable learning experiences for senior undergraduates, graduate students and other qualified persons. Courses investigate diverse topics related to coastal and marine ecosystems and offer unique opportunities for engaging hands-on learning with instructors passionate about teaching. Each six-week summer course carries credit equivalent to a full-year university course, while three-week courses carry credit equivalent to one half-year university course. Independent and group research projects allow students to fully experience the scientific method: observing nature, posing biological questions, formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, hypothesis testing, and synthesizing conclusions wit= h existing knowledge. *Students from non-member institutions can receive transfer credit through the University of Victoria* . BMSC is a field station on the remote West Coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. Owned and operated by five Western Canadian universities (SFU, UVic, UBC, U of A, U of C), it has offered summer and fall immersion field courses since 1972. *Courses offered this summer:* - *Marine Invertebrate Zoology* (6 wks, *30 April =96 8 June* ) - Explor= ation of the ecology, behaviour, adaptations and functional morphology of Bark= ley Sound's diverse invertebrate fauna in their natural habitat and in laboratories. - *Biology of Marine Fish* (6 wks, *30 April =96 8 June) -* Ecology, behaviour, evolution, and conservation of North Pacific fishes. Topics include fish identification, observation and application of stable isoto= pe techniques. - *Molecular Ecology and Evolution in the Intertidal* (3 wks, *30 April =96 18 May)* - Learn the theory of molecular genetics in ecology and evolution and the practical applications of these techniques to expl= ore evolutionary and ecological questions. This course is made up of lecture= s, fieldwork, and a molecular genetics laboratory. - *Scientific Diving* (3 wks, *21 May =96 8 June) - *A field-intensive introduction to utilizing SCUBA as a tool in sub-tidal research. Lecture= s focus on marine life identification, underwater research techniques, sur= vey and monitoring theory, dive planning and logistics. - *Marine Behavioural Ecology* (6 wks, *11 June =96 20 July) *- An introduction to the principles underlying the evolution of behaviour of marine organisms. The course emphasizes methods used to investigate anim= al behaviour including mathematical modeling, hypothesis testing, and experimental design. - *Biology of Marine Birds* (6 wks,* 11 June =96 20 July) - *A study of the inter-relationships of birds and the marine environment. Lectures emphasize biology, ecological relationships, behaviour, life histories, movements and conservation of marine birds. - *Biodiversity of Marine Algae* (3 wks, *11 =96 29 June)* - Taxonomic, morphological, and functional diversity of seaweeds, as well as ecologic= al adaptations to life in the intertidal, evolutionary history, cultural an= d economic importance, invasive algae, and patterns and consequences of anthropogenic stressors on seaweed assemblages. - *Ecology of Marine Symbioses* (3 wks, *2 =96 20 July)* - Exploration of the ecology, evolution, and physiology of symbiotic and coevolutionar= y associations in the marine environment. Field, lab and experimental work will characterize the dynamic and context-dependent nature of symbi= otic associations of local intertidal flora and fauna. - *Coastal Biodiversity and Conservation* (6 wks, *23 July =96 31 August) - *Examine global, regional, and local patterns of biodiversity and the underlying processes that generate them. Explore th= e relationship between humans and biodiversity, the evolution of biodivers= ity value systems, and approaches to monitoring and protecting biodiversity = and develop practical surveying and monitoring skills. - *Coastal Community Ecology* (3 wks, *23 July =96 10 August) - *Basic principles of community ecology, specifically how the physical environme= nt and biotic interactions structure assemblages of plant and animal specie= s at the shoreline. Investigate how local communities might respond to anthropogenic disturbances, such as global climate change and sea-level rise. - *Salmonid Ecology and Assessment Techniques* (3 wks, *13-31 August) *- Tools and methods used in the assessment of juvenile salmonids and their habitats. Learn identification, fish capture and enumeration methods and standard assessment procedures. Restoration theory and techniques will be introduced. Please visit www.bms.bc.ca/university<http://mail.google.com/mail/www.bms.= bc.ca/university>for full course descriptions, prerequisites and application materials as well as information about the fourteen week Fall Program. Questions may be directed to University Programs Co-ordinator, Dr.Tara MacDonald, at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or (250) 728-3301 ext 216. *Applications are due March 2, 2007*
