Overview

"Coral Reef Ecosystems" is a 10-day course focusing on the ecological structure of coral reefs. The course is one of six different short course opportunities offered by AustraLearn through University of Queensland's Centre for Marine Studies on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Students from the US and Canada have the opportunity to participate in any of these unique 10-14 day courses during the North American summer - a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in marine sciences, environmental management, microscopy, ecology, genetics, neurobiology, zoology or other sciences.

Students may undertake this course either as an add-on (before or after - depending on date of course) to a semester abroad at ANY AustraLearn university OR as a stand-alone program.

Location

The Centre for Marine Studies coordinates research and teaching on the ocean, coast, estuaries and reefs of Queensland for the University. Accessible through the Centre are the diverse marine systems of Queensland, which include pristine coral reefs, rugged rocky shores and clean beaches, salt-marshes, mangroves and seagrasses. The rich life that abounds in the region includes a multitude of invertebrates and fishes, marine turtles, dolphins, dugong and whales. Our teaching and research programs cover the full range of organisms and environments.

The Centre coordinates Heron Island Research Station, the largest research station on the Great Barrier Reef; Moreton Bay Research Station, a modern facility on North Stradbroke Island in Moreton Bay; Low Isles Research Station, a small station on the inner, northern Great Barrier Reef; a suite of vessels of various capacities; and Pinjarra Aquatic Research Station, an aquaculture facility a few kilometres from the main University campus. All Centre for Marine Studies locations feature world class aquatic facilities.

Course Details

Course Outline:
"Coral Reef Ecosystems" is an intensive 10-day course that focuses on the ecological structure of coral reefs. Based on Heron Island Research Station, located on one of the most pristine parts of the Great Barrier Reef, students will spend the first part of the course being introduced to the diversity of organisms and ecological linkages on coral reefs.

The second part of the course is spent working with internationally recognized researchers, who will supervise students in their research projects. In the past, students have undertaken research on coral bleaching, photobiology, fish ecology, population genetics, functional ecology (grazers, predators), coral reproduction and pigment biochemistry.

This is the ideal course for undergraduates or graduate students who are beginning to work on coral reefs.


Course Objectives:
The course develops a series of themes which include:

Tropical marine biodiversity
Primary production on coral reefs
Food webs and energy flow
Symbiotic associations (from endosymbioses to commensalism)
Reef connectivity and population genetics
Oceanography and coral reefs
Role of fishes in reef environments
Coral reefs tetrapods

The course will also allow you to develop a wider understanding of current threats to coral reefs, such as:

Land use issues such as eutrophication, herbicides and elevated turbidity
Overfishing including dynamiting and use of cyanide
Coral bleaching and global change


Course Experience:
This course is field-based and is structured around hands-on experiences. Students will receive lectures in the morning and evening at the Heron Island Research Station but will spend the majority of their time with instructors in the field.

Students will snorkel on the Heron Reefs and learn about the form and function of the corals. During the individual research phase of the course, students will be introduced to research techniques that they can use to explore their topic of interest. This is an exciting phase in which students’ interests can be expanded and developed.

Course Certification

All courses and teachers will be subject to the standard University of Queensland course and teacher evaluation procedures that help ensure maintenance of high academic standards.

Upon completion of study, all international students will receive a University of Queensland crested certificate with the student's details, courses undertaken and academic results. The academic result will be listed as both a percentage and grade in accordance with standard University of Queensland grading scheme. The certificate will be accompanied by a copy of the course profile and assessment criteria for each course completed. (A transcript from the University of Queensland will not be provided.)

The Centre for Marine Studies will assist students and international institutions with any questions that may arise relating to credit by home institutions.

Program Highlights

•Undertake unique, field-intensive short courses in Queensland's spectacular marine environment

•Supplement your existing studies in marine science or ecology in one of the most spectacular living environments in the world

•Learn from the world-class faculty from University of Queensland’s Center for Marine Studies

•Any of these courses are available as a stand-alone course or as an add on to a semester or year abroad in Australia, New Zealand, or Fiji


Who It’s For

A fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in marine sciences, environmental management, microscopy, ecology, genetics, neurobiology, zoology, or other sciences, and open to science students with a biology background. Pre-requisites vary by course—check the requirements for the course you are interested in.

Fees

Program Fees

$3,310.00

Fee Includes

Course fees in are in Australian dollars and include tuition, field, transport, accommodation and meal expenses for the period of each course. Travel costs to and from Queensland are not included.

Fee Semester

The above fee is an estimate based on the Summer 2007 program fee. Fees are subject to change for future terms.

Facts

Location: Heron Island, Queensland
Overseas Students: 0
Staff: 3
Total Enrolment: 40

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have the required GPA and have completed at least the equivalent of one year of full-time study at the university/college level, including one lower-division biology course.

Required GPA: 3.00