[Lista-Algas] Marine Algae Course Summer 2008 Friday Harbor Labs

[Andres Boltovskoy]

Summer 2008 Marine Algae course at
the Friday Harbor Laboratories of the University of Washington. The
course is 5 weeks long, from June 9 - July 12, 2008 and is listed as
Biology 539, Marine Algae(9 credits).

Deadline for applications is February 1, 2008 but early applications are 
encouraged as it helps with planning.  Later applications will be considered 
on a space available basis.  Students applying for financial aid from Friday 
Harbor Labs should get their applications in by the deadline.

The instructors are Dr. Bob Waaland and Dr. Tom Mumford

This course explores marine algae with emphasis on their role in marine
 ecosystems. The course will have three key components.

 1. Investigating seaweed diversity and the practical skills essential
for identification of these organisms will be examined through field
forays and laboratory studies of seaweed-dominated cool temperate water
communities accessible in the San Juan Archipelago and on the exposed
outer coast of Vancouver Island. Collection, preservation and record
keeping essential for biodiversity sampling and analysis will be
emphasized. Laboratory methods will emphasize the use of essential
literature and microscopic examination in order to understand the
morphological and reproductive details relevant to this purpose. We will 
include at least two dredging trips for the deeper marine flora using the 
R/V Centennial; we also plan to use the underwater ROV to examine accessible 
seaweed communities in select localities.

 2. The functional role of seaweeds in marine ecosystems will be examined 
through discussion, laboratory and field methods emphasizing the role of 
seaweeds as primary producers in coastal marine communities, their 
functional morphology and their interactions with other members of the 
marine community (e.g., role in food webs and as habitat). Lab and field 
exercises will include introduction to selected analytical gear (e.g., 
dissolved oxygen meters, nutrient analysis, and simple data loggers for 
temperature and light).

 3. Quantitative analysis of the distributions and abundances of seaweed
populations will be investigated with a combination of lectures and
field and lab exercises. Emphasis will be placed on study designs,
sampling procedures, methods of data analysis, and data interpretation.
Students will obtain experience with different field methods of sampling 
seaweeds and with handling and nalyzing population and community data. 
Various approaches for analyzing assemblage or community data will be 
discussed and supported by computer sessions with relevant software. 
Practical applications such as the design of monitoring programs at multiple 
scales will be addressed; prior statistical knowledge is not a prerequisite.

4. Methods for cultivation of seaweeds will be investigated for use at
laboratory to commercial scale as a tool to elucidate algal life
histories, growth patterns and rates, physiological responses, ecosystem 
mesocosm experiments, and for production of food and chemicals.

 This is a course appropriate for marine biologists, botanists and
oceanographers with interests in marine biodiversity, conservation
biology, and coastal ecology with an emphasis on primary producers.
Graduate students and advanced undergraduates students (juniors,
seniors) are encouraged to apply.

 For additional information, see the Friday Harbor Labs Web
Site:
http://depts.washington.edu/fhl/studentClasslist2008.html#SumA-2

or contact
Bob Waaland (jrw at u.washington.edu) or
Tom Mumford(tom.mumford at dnr.wa.gov)

 Application instructions and further information of special interest to
 students such as fellowships and scholarships, housing and meals are
 available at:
 http://depts.washington.edu/fhl/stu_index.html

 In addition,the Phycological Society of America's Hannah T. Croasdale
Fellowships are for students studying algae at biological field
stations:
http://www.psaalgae.org/ops/grants.shtm#croasdale