Overview

"Physical and Biological Oceanography" is a 10-day course that seeks to provide an intuitive understanding of the oceanographic and climatic processes currently affecting marine ecosystems, and coral reefs, in particular.

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 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:
During the first part of the course, students will explore the physical-biological linkage mechanisms controlling the dynamics of marine populations. The second part of the course will introduce the application of remotely-sensed satellite data to
understanding these mechanisms.

The scope of the course will be global - the knowledge and understanding acquired by the student will be directly applicable to all ocean regions, but greatest emphasis will be given to:

the tropical Pacific - ocean basin scale
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Ecosystem - regional scale
coral reef complexes in the vicinity of Heron Island - local scale.


Course Experience:
The course will be based at Heron Island Research Station and comprise lectures delivered by a multidisciplinary international team, tutorials, laboratory, and field-based projects. The lectures will include the basic “building blocks” of oceanography necessary to understanding the major environmental stressors currently affecting coral reef systems, as well as short-term climatic variability worldwide.

In the laboratory, the students will learn how to acquire, interpret, and apply remote sensing and climatic data to answer environmental questions. Case studies will illustrate how environmental satellite data are used in monitoring and predicting bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef. In the field, students will survey sections of the Heron Island reefs and gain an understanding of what features can be detected and monitored by satellite data.

Students will undertake individual or group projects, and will learn how to address an environmental question by combining remote sensing with field data gathered from the reefs.

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

$3,650.00

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:
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