Duke University Marine Laboratory - summer courses- registration is open

[Melanie Colón]

DUKE UNIVERSITY MARINE LABORATORY
Marine Conservation Summer Institutehttp://superpod.ml.duke.edu/mcsi/>
July 11 - August 12, 2016

Tuesday/Friday courses:

* NEW! Unoccupied Aircraft Systems in Scientific Research
Duke faculty: Johnston
The use of unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) is changing how marine scientists collect data on animals and the environments they inhabit. This course introduces students to the basics of using UAS in marine environments, presenting examples of existing and emerging applications, detailing the types of sensors used for marine applications, describes the sampling complexities of the marine environment, and provides and overview of typical workflows and data management. Details on regulatory and permitting requirements to fly UAS and legally and safely are also covered. The lab portion of the course will focus on basic aeronautics, flight planning and simulations, and the design, assembly, operation and maintenance of unoccupied aerial vehicles. (Graduate and Undergraduate registration numbers are available)ENV 335LA/ENV 735LA


* Conservation Biology & Policy
Duke faculty: Nowacek, Roady, Morris, Blake
Immersion in marine conservation biology and policy. Basic tools of marine conservation for 21st Century society intertwined with current issue modules (e.g., fisheries/aquaculture). Hands-on, team-based, experiential learning w/meaningful faculty-student engagement. Phenomena affecting maintenance and loss of biodiversity (climate change, habitat destruction); key concepts of social science and law for instituting conservation policy; unique experiential learning highlighting ecological, economic, cultural, and institutional complexity associated with current conservation issues. BIO 270A/ENV 709A

Monday/Wednesday/Friday courses (can be paired with one course listed above)


* Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles
Duke faculty: Dow-Piniak, Godfrey
Essential biology of sea turtles (evolution, anatomy, physiology, behavior, life history, population dynamics) and their conservation needs; emphasis on their role in marine ecosystem structure and function. Basic ecological concepts integrated with related topics including the conservation and management of endangered species, the contributions of technology to the management of migratory marine species, the role of research in national and international law and policy, and the veterinary aspects of conservation. Includes laboratory and field experience with animals and with their habitat requirements. BIO 375LA/ENV 777LA


* Biology and Conservation of Marine Mammals & Sea Birds
Duke faculty: Thorne, Read
The biology of cetaceans, pinnipeds, sirenians, sea otters, and sea birds. Topics covered include the diversity, evolution, ecology, and behavior of marine mammals and their interactions with humans. Detailed consideration given to the adaptations that allow these mammals to live in the sea. Evaluation of the scientific, ethical, and aesthetic factors influencing societal attitudes toward these animals and of their conservation management in light of domestic legislation and international treaties. Laboratory and field exercises consider social organization, behavior, ecology, communication, and anatomy of local bottlenose dolphins. This field-intensive course covers the biology, management and conservation of marine mammals and sea birds. Detailed consideration is given to adaptation, ecology and conservation. Laboratory and field exercises address behavior, ecology, and communication of local populations of marine mammal and seabirds. The course is suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students. BIO 376LA/ENV 776LA


* Marine Ecology
Duke faculty: Dr. Mike Kingston
Factors that influence the distribution, abundance, and diversity of marine organisms. Course structure integrates lectures, field excursions, lab exercises and an independent project. Lecture topics include physical characteristics of marine systems, adaptation to environment, species interactions, biogeography, larval recruitment, and biodiversity and conservation of communities found in rocky shores, tidal flats, beaches, marshes, mangrove, coral reefs, and subtidal areas. BIO 273LA/773LA

Information on tuition & fees can be found herehttps://nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/undergraduate/tuition-fees>:

Katie Wood