BIOEE 4920 - [Special Topics in Ocean Biodiversity: Ocean Biodiversity Research Apprenticeship]

(OPHLS-AG, BIO-AS) (CU-CEL, CU-SBY, CU-UGR)

Spring (weeks 8-14). Not offered: 2020-2021. Next offered: 2022-2023. 4-6 credits, variable. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: intro biology or intro oceanography, and permission of instructor. Application required. Offered in Friday Harbor, Washington. This course is part of an off campus program at Friday Harbor Marine Labs that provides field research experience for advanced students in marine biology.

C. Greene, D. Harvell.

The research apprenticeship aims to teach students critical hands-on research skills and team-building in a closely mentored environment. This research apprenticeship in a field marine setting will be based at Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL) in the San Juan Islands, Washington. Research-intensive field work provides students with a life-changing experience that cannot be replicated in even the best university laboratory, and that is especially true for Cornell students interested in ocean and marine life. FHL is a large marine lab run by the University of Washington and center of excellence for Ocean Acidification and is developing as a Center for Marine Biodiversity. FHL has superb access to spectacular, high biodiversity field sites, with excellent field facilities including boats, running seawater in labs and updated instrumentation.

Outcome 1: Critically evaluate the biology of a host-pathogen system through field surveys and lab experiments. Incorporate host-pathogen theory and test hypotheses about theory with a real world system.

Outcome 2: Find and access information about methodology and critically evaluate the methods used. All new information gained will be used ethically.

Outcome 3: Use quantitative surveys to reach conclusions about the role of environment in causing variation in pathogen load, and use their qualitative observations about differences in sites to add to their analysis.

Outcome 4: Have extensive practice in presenting with visual aids.

Outcome 5: Work as a team and understand the perspectives of others.