This class on Marine Biology and Oceanography is a hands-on course integrating biology, chemistry, physics and math to study the changing marine environment. The core of the program will take place on the shores of Long Island Sound, at UConn’s marine sciences department. Students will combine field work and laboratory analyses with the college classroom experience. Lectures will be interspersed to provide the necessary background knowledge. Students will learn the tools used to assess the health of the marine environment. This includes: Using instrumentation that collects water samples as well as measures oxygen and temperature; The collection and examination of marine specimens; The design and process of mesocosm experiments, evaluation of eelgrass beds and the study of bivalve filtration rates; Physical properties of the ocean such as sound and currents will be studied using student-constructed hydrophones and mini-drifters. Measurements will be made and recorded. This data will be graphed and interpreted. The week will start out in Storrs, on the main campus. Students will be introduced to basic marine science concepts in an informal lecture. Laboratory exercises to demonstrate ocean properties, the introduction to instrumentation and the construction of a sensor will take place in Storrs. The week will then continue with daily trips to the coast (~1hr bus ride). Students will conduct measurements in Long Island Sound and at the Marine Sciences Department facilities. A visit to the Mystic Marinelife Aquarium with focus on marine conservation will take place. Students will have the opportunity to visit the research laboratories of UConn oceanographers. Short boat trips will be used to evaluate eel grass beds as well as make measurements at the rocky intertidal at Pine Island. At the end of the week students will meet in Storrs to compile their information and design an Eastern Long Island Sound healthy environment report card. During the week, light reading homework will be assigned. Students will need to be prepared with the proper attire to work in the rain and with closed toed shoes for the laboratories. Transportation: This course involves frequent off-site visits to the UConn Avery Point Campus, as well as the Mystic Marinelife Aquarium. Supervised transportation is provided by the program and is included in the course cost. Note: To be eligible to enroll in Marine Biology and Oceanography, students need two years of high school science and math through Algebra I. Lab fee: $100.
Costs and fees are determined by the number of sessions a student enrolls in (one, two, three, or four sessions). Enrolling in a weekly session, includes the selected academic course taught by UConn faculty or experts in their industry, exploratory workshops, social programming activities, as well as administrative costs, all meals, and housing in an air-conditioned residence hall. Laundry machines located inside of the residence halls are available to participants at no cost. Participants must arrange their own travel to and from the Program, at their own expense. Some courses have additional fees. Cost for 1 session: $2050. Cost for 2 sessions: $3950 ($150 discount). Cost for 3 sessions: $5700 ($300 discount). Cost for 4 sessions: $7300 ($450 discount). Spring Special!: Submit your application by Sunday, April 21st for $100 off of your course enrollment costs.
Application process includes: online application, $40 application fee, 3 short answer essay responses (certain courses may require an additional short answer essay response), transcript, attendance records, references.
University of Connecticut
368 Fairfield Way Unit 4171
Storrs, CT 06269