Cal State Monterey Bay online courses: Working With Marine Mammals and Introduction to Animal Training

California State University Monterey Bay and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories are offering two asynchronous (on-demand) online classes - Bio 347: Working with Marine Mammals and Bio 148:Introduction to Animal Training. These classes are open to anyone interested in pursuing careers in the marine mammal field with a high school diploma but registration space is limited.

Visit https://animaltraining.us/summer-courses/ for details and enrollment

For questions about registration, email extended@csumb.edu or call (831)760-5141. Tuition is $280 per unit plus a one-time $39 campus fee. ($879 per class)

Bio 347: Working with Marine Mammals (3 credit asynchronous online) June 2- July 7, 2021

This 3 credit course is designed to assist people who are interested in developing a career in marine mammalogy.  The course will be offered as an asynchronous on-demand format for maximum time flexibility.  It will provide practical information about marine mammals and careers working with them, drawing on the rich background of marine mammal work in the Monterey Bay area.  The course will include video experiences with the marine mammals from the Monterey Bay and those at Moss Landing Marine Labs. This class will instruct students in captive marine mammal husbandry (care and maintenance), training, basic physiology, an overview of common research topics and techniques, as well as public display, education, and current issues in marine mammalogy.  Students will have a virtual internship experience demonstrating the daily care of research-trained California sea lions.  They will also gain experience in developing a resume, job interviews, and public presentations.

Bio 148: Introduction to Animal Training (asynchronous online version) June 2- July 7, 2021

This 3 credit on-demand online course provides students an in-depth understanding of the discipline of animal training across many different types of terrestrial and aquatic animals and techniques. It provides an exceptional background in relevant animal behavior and psychological principles related to the practical goal of modifying animal behavior.  These techniques will be demonstrated using examples and videos of behavior from over two dozen different species of animals. Applied behavior analysis (behaviorism), Neuroscience and Ethology will be melded with practiced methodology to provide a comprehensive overview on the subject of Animal Behavior Modification. Topics covered will include: Captivity, Why Train? Communication, Motivation, Desensitization, Aggression, and Practical Training.

A Certificate of Completion in Beginning Marine Mammalogy can be earned by the successful completion of both Working With Marine Mammals and Introduction to Animal Training classes and a five-day internship with Animal Training and Research International. See https://animaltraining.us/certificate-of-beginning-marine-mammalogy/ for more information.

The instructor, Dr. Jenifer Zeligs, has over 30 years of terrestrial and aquatic animal training experience across diverse disciplines including research, public display, and studio and film work. For further information on classes please contact: jzeligs@mlml.calstate.edu