MARINE MAMMAL MANAGEMENT COURSE REMINDER

WELCOME- all those interested in marine mammals!!
This is a reminder that Registration is now open for the most recent edition of the Oceanographic Center of Nova Southeastern University's Global Distance Education Course in Marine Mammal Management (MMM). This Course is offered to anyone, anywhere in the world through Distance Learning.

Registration ends on January 6^th, 2006.

There are four versions:
a) full three credit graduate level;
b) a three credit undergraduate version;
c) a general interest diploma, which will be awarded all successful candidates;
d) as part of the graduate certificate (contact the coordinator douganj@nova.edu).

MMM runs from JANUARY 3 TO MARCH 17, 2006, and covers a range of pertinent topics as indicated by the Table of Contents:

                                     Dedication

                                    Information for Current Term

Chapter 1.                   Introduction to Marine Mammals

Chapter 2.                   Marine Mammal Management

Chapter 3.                   Introduction to Cetaceans

Chapter 4.                   Beluga Whale, and “toxic soups”

Chapter 5.                   Dolphins, non-consumptive use

Chapter 6.                   Bowheads, the subsidence balance

Chapter 7.                   Orcas, of killers and Keikos

Chapter 8.                   Pilots, stranding and utilization

Chapter 9.                   Introduction to Pinnipeds

Chapter10                   Monk Seals    

Chapter11.                  California Sea Lion, Big Sur and survival

Chapter12.                  Harp Seal, to hunt or not to hunt?

Chapter13.                  Introduction to Sirenia

Chapter14.                  Manatee, the harassed herbivore

Chapter15.                  Introduction to Marine Fissipeds

Chapter16.                  Polar Bear, the Inuit, success and hope

Chapter17.                  Acoustic Stimuli of Marine Mammals

Chapter18.                  Marine Mammal Conservation & Future Management

                                    Finis!

There are two essay assignments for those taking the credit versions.
First, is due on FEBRUARY 10^th with a value of 30%, and the last on MARCH 17^th for 60% of the final mark. The remaining 10% is held for Interaction evaluation – how well you participate in class e-mail discussion and respond to requests
Candidates will receive comments on the 1st assignment for use in the final essay.
Those taking the diploma program may submit the assignments; not for marks, but certainly for comment.
As communication and interaction throughout the term will be mainly via E-mail, it is essential that all have some electronic means of communication and submitting essays.  Essays should be sent using "MS Word" format.

For general information on the course contact:
http://www.nova.edu/ocean/marmam/marmam.html

Alternately: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/ for general information on the Oceanographic Center's programs.
For registration: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/distedregform.html

Barra L. Gots and Professor Keith Ronald
Instructors for 2006  Marine Mammal Management Distance Education course

Please reply to  Barra Gots, johnbarra@sympatico.ca