Subject: Summer Course: Field Study in Marine Science

Michael Williamson (whe_william)
Mon, 19 Feb 1995 16:52:17 

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From: Michael Williamson <WHE_WILLIAM@FLO.ORG>
Subject: Summer Course: Field Study in Marine Science
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ED 654: Field Study in Marine Science
 
<< 1995 Dates - July 31 through August 11 >>
 
Instructor:     J. Michael Williamson, Assistant Professor
Phone:  Office-617/734-5200, X256, Home-508/468-4699
Office:         206 Act. Bldg., Wheelock College, 200 Riverway, Boston, MA
02215
Home:   20 Moynihan Rd., So. Hamilton, MA 01982
Lecture and Research Associates: Scott Mercer & Carol Mercer
 
Course Description:
 
        Learn about the coastal marine ecosystem, marine mammal biology, the
organisms that inhabit the coastal environment, and techniques related to
marine field research.  Marine food chains, basic oceanographic concepts,
animal behavior, general research methods, and data assimilation and analysis
will be studied.  The participants will also learn elements of navigation,
bathymetry, and wildlife photography while participating in a long term study
in marine mammal research with an established research organization.
        Students will spend 10 days participating in an established research
program, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday for two weeks aboard a 100
ft. U.S. Coast Guard approved vessel in Massachusetts Bay.  An independent
10-day project is also available in Quebec, Canada on the Gulf of St. Lawrence
with the Mingan Island Cetacean Study.
Students will attend a seminar, complete a pre-project literature search with
an annotated bibliography, participate in a research project and will complete
an independent project which relates directly to the focus of the research.
        Room and board is the responsibility of the student and will be a cost
in addition to the course tuition paid to Wheelock College.
 
Evaluation:
 
a.  A discussion with the Wheelock College instructor - Michael Williamson.
 
b.  Attendance at a seminar on research methods, basic data analysis, marine
sciences overview, and an introduction to the research site and expectations.
(May be completed on first day of course or the Friday prior to the beginning
of the field study.)
 
c.  A required reading assignment with an annotated bibliography consisting of
25 points related to the research -- 5 points for a book (i.e. general
information or interest volume); 1 point for each journal article; and 2 points
for selected topics of scientific references (i.e. research a specific point of
information on behavior, biology, physiology, etc.)
 
d. Participation in a 10 day session which includes attending the lectures,
participating in the daily research, and completion of an individual research
project which will enrich your teaching experience. (An independent study with
the Mingan Island Cetacean Study is available.)
 
e.   Development of a final product.  For example, the final product may be a
teaching unit for your respective grade level, an article to submit to a
professional journal, or a report on a specific point of interest in the
research.
 
Outline - ED 654: Field Study in Marine Science
 
 
General introduction to course, methods, and boat.
        Navigation methods
        Data collection methods
        Photographic techniques
        Current research methods
        Intro to Water analysis techniques
 
Characteristics of whale species
        Animal behavior
        Social Interaction
 
Methods of species and individual identification.
        Baleen whales - Humpback, Fin, Minke, and Right Whales.
        Toothed whales - great whales, dolphins, and porpoises
 
Migration
        Feeding and reproduction
 
Anatomy & Physiology of Marine Mammals
 
Food Chains
        Biotic and Abiotic factors
        Plankton analysis & identification
 
Water analysis techniques
        Current research methods
 
Physiology of Baleen and Toothed Whales
        (Off-shore Odontocetes)
        Echolocation
        Communication
        Respiration
        Diving Reflex
 
Human Interaction and Influences
        Humpback Whales
        Right Whales
        Fishing and Whale Watching
        Economic Status of Stellwagen Bank
        Entanglements
                gill nets and harbor porpoise
 
Summary Discussion
 
 
NOTE: Alternate day trips to the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard
University and intertidal studies at local locations may be substituted if the
boat trip is cancelled for any reason.