Initiation to marine biology

These courses count as free-choice credits for the Universidad de Valencia. For other universities, consult your department.

University students and the general public. Basic course aimed at people interested in entering the field of marine biology.

DURATION:	20 hours (intensive).
TIMETABLE:	Fridays: 15.30-18.30 Saturdays: 9.00-14.00 y 15.30-20.00 Sundays: 9.00-14.00 y 15.30-18.30.
DATE:	December 2012.
PLACE:	E+I Building, instalations and technical area of the Oceanogràfic
Nº OF PARTICIPANTS PER COURSE	40^* persons
COORDINATION:	Education Departament of the Oceanogràfic
COST OF COURSE:	130 € students 150 € general public

^* A minimum of 20 persons registered for running the course

Requirements

Preferably university students or adults.

Aims

To promote understanding of the marine environment and its inhabitants.
To learn several basic concepts of oceanography.
To get to know the most representative marine ecosystems and how they work.
To get to know and understand how different marine animals adapt to the marine environment; fish, reptiles, birds and mammals.
To understand fish better; basic biology, types and relationships.
To understand vertebrates better with special reference to the group of cnidaria, echinoderms and crustacea.
To increase understanding of marine birds and their vital functions.
To learn more about turtles and their conservation.
To understand certain marine mammals better; cetaceans and pinnipeds, as well as their maintenance in a controlled environment.
To raise awareness about several research and education projects undertaken either at Oceanogràfic or elsewhere.
To learn how to design and assess environmental education programmes.

Seas and oceans. General Information:
- Basic concepts of oceanography.
- Introduction to the most representative marine ecosystems:
1. Polar seas
2. Tropical seas
3. Temperate seas
Introduction and classification of the various marine zoological groups: invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds and marine mammals.

Each session will be teaching by experts in the different fields of proposed themes.