Summer B 2013 #2
Ocean Acidification
Biol 533 B (9 credits)
Please note: course is offered under the “umbrella” course Biology 533: Advanced Organismal Biology. Thus transcripts from University of Washington will list the course title ADV ORG BIOL rather than the specific Friday Harbor Laboratories’ course title listed above.
Summer Term B: July 22 – August 23, 2013 (5 weeks)
Monday-Saturday (Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm, plus Sat morning 8:30 am-noon, except final week no Saturday meeting)
Arrive Sunday, July 21 after 3 pm, depart Friday, Aug. 23 after lunch.
Dr. Michael O’Donnell
University of Washington
Friday Harbor Laboratories
mooseo@uw.edu
Dr. Terrie Klinger
University of Washington
School of Marine Affairs
tklinger@u.washington.edu
Ocean acidification is emerging as one of the most pressing issues confronting marine communities worldwide. Elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are altering the seawater carbonate system and decreasing the pH of surface waters. Although the underlying chemistry of the phenomenon is well understood within the geochemistry community, the consequences for marine organisms are less well understood. This field is gaining increasing prominence within the scientific community, as evidenced by rapidly expanding body of research, recent federal legislation, and recent calls for proposals from funding agencies.
As new researchers turn their attention to studying the effects of ocean acidification on a broad range of biological systems they are frequently stymied by the inherent complexities of manipulating and documenting experimental conditions. Conducting such research requires technical skill beyond the scope of most biologists; there is an urgent need for focused training in this area. This course was offered in Summer 2011, and was a resounding success. The students conducted interesting research that benefited both our understanding of the local environments and helped troubleshoot our laboratory setup. This FHL summer course provides the ideal venue for the sort of hands-on, intensive training that graduate students need to return to their home institutions prepared to embark on productive research programs.
This course will consist of three main components. First, it will serve as a rapid indoctrination into essential topics in geochemistry, de-mystifying this essential piece of ocean acidification research. This module will include lectures on fundamental topics, practical discussions of measuring techniques and equipment and extensive laboratory experience with the critical measurement tools. Secondly, students will gain experience with a range of techniques for conducting experimental manipulations of environmental conditions. Through lectures, demonstrations, and independent research, students will develop skills to design their own experiments. Finally, the course will bring students up-to-date on the rapidly changing state of the field. Lectures, independent readings, and discussions will help the class synthesize a bourgeoning body of research.
Friday Harbor Laboratories is the ideal location for this course. The analytical facilities of the FHL OA lab offer students access to state-of-the-art equipment that they cannot be trained on anywhere else unless they are members of the few labs that have such instruments. The laboratory culture equipment and in-water mesocosms allow students to visualize how they might run experiments in their own laboratories. And, of course, the nearby natural biological systems will provide the opportunity for students to conduct research on well-studied, readily accessible organisms.
Enrollment limited to 15 students.
Apply
2013 Costs (estimated)
Student Information
Friday Harbor Laboratories, September 2012. Web site.
