Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

Evolution and Development of Marine Organisms
(3 weeks; May 2 - 20)
Instructors: Dr. Chris Cameron, U de Montréal
Dr. Cory Bishop, St. Francis-Xavier University.
2009 course profile

A senior undergraduate and graduate level course that will be an introduction into both comparative and experimental embryology with particular emphasis on early development of marine invertebrates in the vicinity of the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. The course will include lectures, field collection, species identification, laboratory observations, embryo and larval rearing, and experimentation. Students will have the opportunity to apply contemporary cellular and molecular marking techniques in their independent projects. Emphasis is placed on seeking both underlying unity as well as diversity in developmental processes and mechanisms.

Research skills: Field collection, species identification, embryo and larval rearing, and experimentation including microsurgery. Students will have the opportunity to apply contemporary cellular and molecular marking techniques including cell injection and immunochemistry. Microscopic techniques will include fluorescent and confocal microscopy.

Life History Strategies of Marine Organisms (3 wks; May 23 - June 10)
Instructor: Dr. Don Levitan (Florida State U)
2009 Course Profile

A senior undergraduate and graduate level course exploring the evolutionary ecology of marine invertebrates. Lectures and paper discussions will focus on the theory of life history evolution, but the emphasis will be on experimental tests of theory in the laboratory and field. Prerequisites: Introductory invertebrate zoology.

Prerequisites: Introductory invertebrate zoology.

This course will examine global, regional, and local patterns of biodiversity and the underlying processes of speciation, migration, and extinction that generate them. We will also explore the impacts and dependence of humans on biodiversity, the evolution of biodiversity value systems, and approaches to monitoring and protecting biodiversity. Group projects focusing on local marine, intertidal, freshwater, and terrestrial systems will allow students to develop biodiversity surveying and monitoring skills.

Prerequisites: Third year standing in biology or permission of the instructor(s). 

Biology of Marine Birds (6 weeks; June 13 - July 22)
Instructor: Dr. Joel Heath (UBC)

This course will focus on the ecology of birds in the marine environment. Lectures will emphasize biology, behaviour, life history and conservation of marine birds, in relation to their prey and oceanographic habitats. Field trips will focus on species in the Pacific Northwest, although lectures will be more general including case studies from Atlantic and Arctic ecosystems. The primary focus of the course will be field based independent research projects where students can learn field methods for conducting scientific studies of sea birds.

Biology of Marine Fishes (6 weeks; June 13 - July 22)
Instructor: Dr. Tim Higham, Clemson University
2009 course profile

Marine Behavioural Ecology (3 weeks; June 13 - July 1)
Instructors: Dr. Isabelle Cote (SFU)

A hands-on introduction to the principles of behavioural ecology. Students will carry out a multi-component group-oriented research project with a focus on marine invertebrates. Students will participate in all aspects of the research including, project planning, experimental design, data collection (in the field and laboratory), analysis, and writing.
Prerequisites: Introductory ecology, vertebrates, and invertebrate zoology.
Textbook: There is no required textbook, readings will be provided by instructor.

Coastal Community Ecology (3 weeks; July 5 - 23)
Instructors: Dr. K.D. Burns (Victoria University of Wellington)
Chris Neufeld (U of Alberta) ...see 2009 course profile

Description:This course will teach key ideas and concepts about how ecological and evolutionary forces shape natural communities in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The course will focus on many local examples, ranging from how birds indirectly shape terrestrial shrub communities by eating berries, to how predators influence the slow-motion battle for a piece of rocky real-estate in the intertidal. Using a hands-on approach, students will explore key topics in community ecology including island biogeography, community succession, dispersal, marine terrestrial interactions, niche theory, climate change, and techniques to measure species diversity.

Models in Evolution (3 weeks; July 25 - Aug 12)
Instructor: Dr. Geoff Wild (U of Western Ontario) CANCELLED

Models help evolutionary biologists understand concepts and processes that are fundamental to their science. For example models help answer questions like “What is fitness?” or “What kind of adaptation can be promoted by selection?” Models can also help set research priorities by guiding experimental design. In particular, models can answer questions like “Will X really affect Y?” in advance of costly and time-consuming experiments. Whether you are “theoretically inclined” or “experimentally inclined”, then, you have something to gain from adopting a modeller’s perspective. This course will focus on modelling techniques used in evolutionary ecology.

As a student, you will be introduced to the mathematics applied in evolutionary game theory, population genetics, and combinations thereof (i.e. kin selection or inclusive fitness modelling). You will learn how to formulate and analyse mathematical models of evolution at a level that will allow you to understand (and hopefully contribute to) the current literature. Concepts will be reinforced with small assignments (set by instructor) and one larger research project (topic to be decided upon by the student).

Research Skills: Students will learn how to formulate and analyse mathematical models of evolution at a level that will allow them to understand and (hopefully contribute to) the current literature.

Tentative list of topics:
    *Modelling population change with recursions and differential equations
    *Eigenvalues and eigenvectors
    *Equilibria and stability
    *Invasion analysis and invasion fitness
    *ESS Theory
    *Random variables
    *Expectation, variance, covariance
    *Conditioning
    *Markov chains, limiting distributions
    *Random number generation
    *Law of large numbers
    *Monte Carlo Simulation
    *The Price Equation
    *Kin selection and the direct fitness approach
    *Kin selection and class structured populations

Pre-requisites: one full-year university-level course in calculus, or one half-year university-level course in calculus with one half-year university-level course in linear algebra.

Recommendations to students: Students should bring their own laptop if possible, with a student version of Matlab (www.mathworks.com) installed. Although it is not necessary, it may be a help to also purchase the "Statistics Toolbox" for Matlab along with a student version of Maple (www.maplesoft.com). There is a freeware version of Matlab called "Octave" that can be downloaded from the net ... but the instructor knows only Matlab.

Note: there are six new(ish) MacBook laptops that can be loaned to students if needed (contact ). These laptops do not have MatLab. The 10 PC computers in our computer lab have Matlab 3.11, Systat12, R, and SPSS.

Conservation Genetics (3 weeks; August 15 - September 2) CANCELLED
Instructor: Dr. John Nelson

Life on planet earth is currently in its sixth historically significant episode of extinction, primarily due to human activities. Conservation Genetics is an emerging field that aims to counter this trend by applying the theory and principles of population genetics to protect biodiversity. At its most fundamental level, Conservation Genetics is equivalent to scientific investigation aimed at providing a deeper understanding of the natural patterns of biodiversity such that it can be appropriately protected. At the other end of the spectrum, Conservation Genetics is the use of genetics to directly aid recovery of threatened populations, such as to manage a captive breeding program. Although diverse in its approach, at its core Conservation Genetics is a discipline of applied science with the ethical perspective that the protection of biodiversity is an obligation and responsibility that is integral to how human society operates in the biosphere.

Marine Invertebrate Zoology (6 weeks; July 26 - September 3)
Instructors: Dr. Marjorie Wonham, Dr. Tara Macdonald
2010 course profile

Course Description: Marine invertebrates represent almost every phylum on earth, and the Bamfield region contains a fantastic diversity of them. In this course, students investigate the zoology – the functional morphology, behaviour, ecology, and phylogenetic relationships – of living marine invertebrates. We take field trips to explore a variety of habitats and collect organisms (from exposed rocky shores, mudflats, eelgrass beds, and beaches). Field work is complemented by lab work, lectures, primary literature readings, and discussion.

Prerequisites: Introductory Invertebrate Zoology recommended

Ethnobotany
(3 weeks; July 25 - August 12)
Instructor: Fiona Hamersley Chambers

Course Description: Ethnobotany is the study of the relationship between plants and human culture. In this class we will learn about the relationships between people and plants with a focus on the traditional plant knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and how this knowledge is shaped by cultural perceptions. We will cover basic plant taxonomy and classification and the Western scientific approach vc. Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Additional topics include (but are not limited to): biodiversity and ethnoecology; kincentric ecology; traditional land and plant resource management; plants as fibres, pigments and in technology; 'keeping it living' sustainable plant management practices; plants as food; diet and diabetes.

Biodiversity of Seaweeds (3 weeks; August 15 -September 2)
Instructor: Dr. Colin Bates (UBC) …2010 course profile

An introduction to the taxonomic, morphological, and functional diversity of seaweeds, with an emphasis on the flora of the local area (southern Barkley Sound, British Columbia). In addition to this floristic work, we will examine the ecological adaptations to life in the intertidal and evolutionary causes for the observed patterns of diversity. We will survey the cultural and economic importance of algae, invasive algae, and patterns and consequences of anthropogenic stressors on seaweed assemblages. Students should expect to spend a good deal of time in the field, including a multiple-night excursion off station.

Prerequisites: Introductory non-vascular plants with third year standing or permission of the instructor.
Textbook: There is no required text, but the instructor recommends students purchase a field guide to Pacific Seaweeds, available in Scientific Stores at BMSC.

Directed Studies in Marine Science (3 or 6 weeks; dates student's choice)

Undergraduate and Graduate Directed Studies may be undertaken at any time during the summer term. Study will involve a research project approved by a supervisor in the student's field of interest. Projects will be designed to take advantage of laboratory and/or field opportunities. Applications should be accompanied by a project outline and a letter from a faculty member willing to supervise. Normal room and board, tuition, and supplemental fees will apply. Those students interested in SCUBA related projects should plan to do them between June 13 - July 1 when Dr. Isabelle Cote is available to supervise.
Contact the for more information about doing a directed study at BMSC.