Huntsman Marine Science Center
Marine Invertebrate Biodiversity and Behaviour
Carleton University: Biol 61.365
Crabs, clams, shrimps, snails, and starfish are well known inhabitants of Canada's Atlantic shores, but there is a wealth of lesser-known invertebrates that are key components of marine communities. This course will introduce the student to the diversity of local marine invertebrates and study some of their fascinating behaviours. Students will visit rocky shores, beaches, tide pools, floating docks, and estuaries, and sample the water column and the ocean floor. Aspects of marine biology, fisheries science, and oceanography will also be studied through ship work and tours of aqaculture and fisheries operations. Students will learn how to identify organisms, sample quantitatively, use oceanographic equipment, construct keys, develop new species names, apply microscopic methods, interpret behaviours, and apply experiments.
Prerequisite: Introductory Biology or permission of the course instructor.
Instructor: Dr. K. E. Conlan
Evaluation: Group project (35%); Field and lab exercises (25%); Individual project (20%); Lab quiz (15%); Participation (5%).
Fee: $1,150
Biology of Marine Mammals
McGill University: Biol 335
Our location on the Bay of Fundy is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to study several species of whales as well as seals and dolphins within a three-week course framework. There will be frequent field trips at sea and on shore to observe marine mammals in their natural habitats. Major topics included: an introduction to Bay of Fundy marine mammals, their distribution and abundance, origin and evolution, historical zoogeography, adaptations and community ecology as well as future prospects. Lab sessions will include an introduction to behavioural observations as well as dissections of seals and porpoises. Students also will conduct individual research projects.
Prerequisite: Introductory Biology
Instructor: Dr. C. Hood
Evaluation: Written exam (40%); Lab performance (10%); Student projects (40%); Course log (10%).
Fee: $1,400
Introduction to Atlantic Aquaculture
University of Guelph
Atlantic salmon farming is the biggest agribusiness in New Brunswick, and St.Andrews is a centre for biological and environmental research in aquaculture. This includes improving salmon farming and developing culture methods for other species, including halibut, sturgeon (for caviar), Arctic charr, haddock, cod, flounder, mussels, scallops, sea urchins and seaweeds. This course will introduce to how the various species are farmed, interactions with the environment and wildlife, problems with diseases and parasites, issues of debate concerning aquaculture (e.g. transgenics), and the social and economic impacts of the industry. It includes visits to high-tech land-based and sea-cage fish farms, seminars with international experts, lectures from industry scientists and researchers, and a debate on the environmental, socio-economic costs and benefits of aquaculture. Instructors have a range of experience of aquaculture in Atlantic Canada and Europe.
Prerequisite: A University course in general Biology
Instructors: Dr.M.J. Costello
Evaluation: Essays (35%); examination (25%); presentation (20%); participation(20%)
Fee: $1,150
Introduction to Marine Biology
University of New Brunswick: Biol 3173
Introduction to the ecology of coastal marine organisms. Emphasizes practical methods for field study of intertidal and offshore ecosystems and laboratory investigations of marine flora and fauna.
Prerequisite: Introductory Biology
Instructors: Dr. C. Mayes, M. Casey, and guest instructors
Evaluation: Course participation and reports (50%); Group project (50%)
Fee: $950
Field Ornithology
University of Toronto: Zoology 304H
Lectures on the biology of birds, and intensive field work emphasizing field identification, census techniques, and habitat preferences. Student projects included.
Prerequisite: University of Toronto BIO 150Y or equivalent introductory biology course(s) and permission of the instructor.
Instructors: Dr. J. D. Rising
Fee: $1,000
Marine Mammals & Seabirds
University of Waterloo: Biol 492
This is a three week field course at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Marine mammals and seabirds will be observed under natural conditions through frequent field trips at sea and ashore. Passamaquoddy Bay and the Bay of Fundy are excellent locations for siting harbour and grey seals, harbour porpoises, minke whales, and numerous avian species including Atlantic puffins, razorbills, black guillemots, and northern gannets. Further, a trip to Grand Manan Island will allow us to observe the incredibly rare northern right whale. There is a strong emphasis on field research and each student will complete an independent research project. Lectures and labs will introduce the evolution, zoogeography, morphology, ecology, physiology, and behaviour of diving air-breathing vertebrates.
Prerequisite: Introduction to biology, ecology, or zoology course; preference will be given to students entering their third or fourth year of a B. Sc. program.
Instructor: Dr. Jason F. Schreer
Evaluation: Participation (10%); Lab write-ups and research proposal (15%); Field log book (10%); Project seminar (10%); Project paper (35%); Written final exam (20%).
Fee: $1,400 (does not include transportation to and from St. Andrews)
Ecology and Adaptation of Marine Animals
University of Western Ontario: Zool 32OY
The Bay of Fundy is famous for its tides. In this course, students will investigate (in the field and in the laboratory) the rich invertebrate fauna and macroalgal flora of the region, concentrating on the relationships between field ecology and adaptive morphology of common species. Dredges, grabs, plankton nets, and trawls will introduce the sub-tidal fauna and students will view marine fish, birds and mammals and visit aquaculture and commercial fish processing facilities. There will be opportunities for certified SCUBA divers to make a limited number of dives. Assignments: Students will participate in organized group activities on shore and on the HMSC vessel. The second week will be spent on laboratory and field studies of the ecology and adaptive morphology of marine mammals.
Prerequisites: Students should normally be entering the 2nd or 3rd year of a Biology or Zoology program and be at an honours program level.
Instructor: Dr. M. D. Owen; Dr J. Staples
Evaluation: Marks will be assigned for (i) individual log books and reports (20%), (ii) test of knowledge and work on the fauna and flora based on the first week's activities (35%), and (iii) report (45%).
Fee: $1,150
Marine Conservation and Biodiversity Assessment
University of Western Ontario: Zool 120Y
This course provides an environmental framework within which to judge desirable and undesirable human actions and impacts, and conservation characteristics, so as to provide a basis for decision making. The objectives of this course are :
- To recognize the array of habitats and biotopes that constitute the marine environment.
- To learn practical skills in mapping marine biotopes and measuring biodiversity.
- To investigate the associations between the communities of organisms and the physical components of their habitats.
- To begin to distinguish the relative impacts of natural constraints of the environment versus human disturbances on the distributions and structure of marine communities.
- To appreciate that ecological communities can be organized into a hierarchical framework than can be used to assess resource environmental concerns and conservation initiatives.
Prerequisite: Introductory Biology
Instructors: Dr. M. J. Costello with Dr. J. C. Roff, Department of Zoology, University of Guelph.
Evaluation: Ecological Assessment reports (50%), laboratory examination (20%), seminar presentations (15%), participation (15%).
Fee: $1,150
