The Duke University Marine Laboratory invites applications to its summer field course on the biology of marine mammals. Topics covered include the ecology, behavior, management and conservation of marine mammals, with emphasis on field study of the local population of bottlenose dolphins.

Dates: Summer Term II: 7 July - 8 August 2008 Course limit: 15 students (undergraduates, graduate students, professionals)

Application deadline (if applying for Global Fellowship): 15 February 2008

Application deadline (if applying for Tuition Scholarship): 1 April 2008

Application deadline (no funding support): 8 June 2008

This is a field and laboratory-intensive course designed to provide first-hand experience with research techniques such as photo-identification and mark-recapture analysis, sampling prey distribution and abundance, behavioral sampling techniques, acoustic recording and analysis, and dissection techniques.

As part of Summer Term II Integrated Marine Conservation Program, a core course BIO 109/ENV 209 (Conservation Biology and Policy) may be taken with Marine Mammals. Students are encouraged (but not required) to take both courses. Approximately ten Global Fellowships in Marine Conservation will be awarded on a competitive basis to international students, especially those from developing countries, and will fully cover travel expenses, room and board, and tuition for both BIO 109/ENV 209 Conservation Biology and Policy plus one elective course subject to availability. Electives include: Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles; Marine Mammals; Marine Ecology; Marine Invertebrate Zoology; and Independent Research.

Experience the beautiful North Carolina coast! Join students from all over the world in participating in this unique summer session experience. Enrollment is limited, apply early!

For more information: mL_admissions@nicholas.duke.edu (Tel:252.504.7502).

http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/summer2.html

http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/admissions/forms.html

http://www.env.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/scholarship.html