Special Topics Summer Course
University of Alaska Southeast

Marine Ornithology (Biol 493)

4 credits.  16 June - 18 July 2008 (5 weeks).

Limit: 8 students.

Prerequisites:   Introductory Statistics, Introductory Ecology and permission of the instructor.
 
Description:  The course will have a strong field component, including two 7-day field trips in remote locations in Southeast Alaska. The course will focus on the natural history of seabirds as well as sampling designs/methods for monitoring seabird populations. There will be 2 weekly classroom session (60 minutes each) and 8 hours of lab per week. Two weeks will be spent in the field, working from a field camp on the shore of Chichagof Island, directly across Icy Strait from Glacier Bay. Field work will involve surveys of Marbled and Kittlitz’s murrelets using radar, flyway counts, and boat-based methods. Grades will be based on weekly quizzes, a final exam, and a final project/presentation. Interested applicants should be moderately fit, enjoy outdoor camping and boating (in sometimes inclement weather), and work well with others in a team setting.

Estimated Fees and Costs:

Tuition:   512.00
Housing: Out of town students will have the option of living on campus in 4 person suites (cost for 5 weeks is 478.50 per student, full occupancy). http://www.uas.alaska.edu/future_students/affordability/housing.html
Lab Fee:  10.00
Books:     40.00 ( Seabirds - A Natural History by Anthony Gaston. 2004. Yale University press.)
Field Travel and Equipment: Costs associated with airline or boat travel between Juneau and remote field stations is provided. Meals and all necessary field equipment (except sleeping bags) will be provided.

To Apply:  Fill in the application on line. Links to the application are found at the UAS website ( http://www.uas.alaska.edu/biology/ornithology/courseform.cfm ) and the Audubon Alaska website http://www.audubonalaska.org/ .
 
Scholarships: Funding is available from Audubon Alaska to partially defray tuition, housing and /or travel expenses for selected students. Scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis (from information in applications) by Audubon Alaska.  

Questions about the course can be sent to the instructor, Matt Kirchhoff, at matt.kirchhoff@alaska.gov (907-465-4328). Closing date for applications is April 1rst, 2008. Acceptance decisions and scholarship offers will be finalized by April 15, 2008.