Initiative
IMPORTANT
Students interested in taking Biology field courses at the Bonne Bay Marine Station during the summer of 2013 should contact Allison Eaton for more information: allison.eaton@mun.ca.
Five undergraduate field courses in Marine Biology are offered at the Bonne Bay Marine Station during the spring/summer semester, with additional courses being offered during the fall/winter semesters.
Each September Parks Canada hosts an Institute for Teacher Interns. This program brings teachers into National Parks and National Historic Sites, and heritage into the classroom.
Click here for Valuable Information for all Bonne Bay Marine Station students.
Spring/Summer Courses
Biology 3709 - Marine Principles and Techniques
Biology 3714 - Estuarine Fish Ecology
Biology 4014 - Biology of Boreal and Arctic Seaweeds
Biology 4710 - Experimental Marine Biology of Newfoundland Waters
Biology 4912 - Marine Mammals
Fall/Winter Courses
Biology 3709 - Marine Principles and Techniques
Biology 4810 - Marine Research Field Course
The Bonne Bay area provides unique opportunities to learn marine science due to unequaled diversity of habitat, marine plants, fish and invertebrates. This diversity cannot be matched anywhere else in northeastern North America. Courses are designed to maximize the unique natural laboratories of the ocean and adjacent lands. You can expect to spend a great deal of time outdoors, and in small boats. Lectures provide all necessary theoretical frameworks. Students can live on site in comfortable residence accommodations. For those who want to live in the community a list of names and phone numbers of people who have accommodated students in the past can be provided.
Bonne Bay is a world-class site for diving. Kelp beds, "bottomless" walls, arctic coral reefs and shoals of fish are only a sample of the many beautiful underwater attractions. Students who wish to dive as part of their academic program must contact Dr. Bob Hooper and satisfy MUN criteria for Scientific Diving. Scuba tanks, weight belts, BC's and regulators are available for use by qualified students.
Students will use small boats to access various habitats, to learn sampling techniques and to develop practical skills. Students are encouraged to use small boats to increase their experience as safe boat handlers. We provide basic theoretical and practical boating instruction so that students can comply with Canadian Coast Guard standards.
Registration:
Contact Dr. Bob
Hooper, Director or Allison Eaton, Manager
by email or in person for registration
procedures. Non-Memorial University students are
advised to contact as early as possible. During
the spring/summer semester priority will be
given to students taking all or most of the
courses.
Download
Course Request Form.
Tuition:
Consult the Memorial University Calendar
for the tuition fees that apply to you. These
vary with number of courses taken, citizenship,
etc. Tuition fees are paid through the
Registrars Office.
Deposits:
A reservation and security deposit of $100.00
per course, payable to the Bonne Bay Marine
Station, is required at the time of
registration. Students dropping courses after
April 19th 2013 will forfeit their damage
deposit for the course(s) dropped. Avoidable
damage to premises, floater suits/life jackets,
or other equipment will be deducted from this
deposit. The deposit, minus any deductions will
be refunded following completion of all courses
as per Memorial University trust fund policies.
Responsible students always receive a full
refund.
Accommodations and Laboratory Charges:
For accommodation advice, please contact Allison Eaton.
Accommodation, meals and laboratory charges are
$410 per course, payable to the Bonne Bay Marine
Station. Students are not obligated to live at
the Station. Non-resident students must pay the
$50 per course laboratory charge.
Field Trips:
Some courses will involve field trips outside
the Bonne Bay area. There will be additional
charges for these trips. Refer to information on
individual courses for related costs.
Prerequisites:
Memorial University students must follow University Calendar
Regulations, and will generally have
completed some basic 2nd year courses,
especially B2600 (Ecology); outside students are
expected to have a comparable background.
Enrollment limits: Minimum 12 students for each
course.
| Course: | Biology 3709 - Marine Principles and Techniques |
| Instructor: | Dr. Bob Hooper, MUN |
| Dates: | May 6 - May 18, 2013 |
| Credit: | 3 credit hours |
| Deadline for write-ups: | May 24, 2013 |
| Description: This is an introduction to marine habitats, organisms and sampling techniques. Students will become familiar with the important fish, invertebrates and plants that characterize Newfoundland's coastal waters. The structure of various biological communities and the interactions between the key organisms and their oceanographic and geological habitats are stressed. The course is structured as a sequence of daily field and laboratory modules including: hydrography, water masses, water chemistry, phytoplankton, zooplankton, saltmarshes, tidal flats, rocky shores, sedimentary communities, marine birds and mammals, marine pollution, fisheries management, etc. Students will learn to use oceanographic and biological sampling equipment and methods used to scientifically examine each of these habitats and groups of organisms. | |
| Field Trip: | This course
will involve a field trip to southern
Labrador. The cost associated with this field trip will be $100.00. |
| References: | Peterson Field Guide to the Atlantic Seashore Stevens et al., Gros Morne National Park map |
| Evaluation: | Quiz 20%, Field notebook 15%, Project 20%, Presentation 10%, Exam 35% |
| Course: | Biology 3714 - Estuarine Fish Ecology |
| Instructor: | Dr. Craig Purchase |
| Dates: | June 17-June 29, 2013 |
| Credit: | 3 credit hours |
| Deadline for write-ups: | July 29, 2013 |
| Text highly rec'd: | W.B., &
M.G. Scott; 1988 Atlantic Fishes of
Canada, University of Toronto Press, 731pp ISBN: 0-8020-5712-8 |
| Description: Community structure, function and distribution of northern coastal fishes in fjords and estuarine environments. Emphasis on sampling, field techniques, taxonomy, quantitative characterization, adaptations and habitat relationships. A comparative approach will contrast fish communities from other areas. | |
| Evaluation: | Quiz 15%,
Field Book and Participation 15%,
Presentation 10%, Research Project 25%, Final Exam 35% |
| Course: | Biology 4014 - Biology of Boreal and Arctic Seaweeds |
| Instructor: | Dr. Bob Hooper, MUN |
| Dates: | July 8 - July 20, 2013 |
| Credit: | 3 credit hours |
| Deadline for write-ups: | Aug 2, 2013 |
| Textbook: | TBD |
| Description: This is a hands-on introduction to seaweeds. Students will become familiar with identification of important species and their ecological roles. Bonne Bay and southern Labrador support a diverse seaweed flora. In addition to boreal species, we will meet many species that you would otherwise have to visit the Arctic to observe. Practical field and laboratory skills will be taught. Evolution, systematics, physiological ecology and biogeography will be addressed. Seaweed economics, environmental issues, conservation and food webs will be studied. There may be a 2 day trip to southern Labrador. | |
| Field Trip: | This course
will involve a seaweed collecting trip to
southern Labrador. The cost associated with this field trip will be $100.00. |
| Evaluation: | Quiz 20%, research project 25%, notebook 20%, final exam 35%. |
| Course: | Biology
4710-Experimental Marine Biology of Newfoundland
Waters |
| Instructor: | Dr. M.
DuRand and Dr. P. Snelgrove , MUN |
| Dates: | May 27 - June 8, 2013 |
| Credit: | 3 credit hours |
| Deadline for write-ups: | June 14, 2013 |
| Textbook: | TBD |
| Description:
Introduction
to oceanography and plankton, Sampling
methodologies for plankton,
Phytoplankton & biogeography,
Photosynthesis, Nutrient dynamics,
Phytoplankton growth, Marine snow,
Zooplankton/Microzooplankton,
Meroplankton/Ichthyoplankton, Life
cycles & ocean circulation,
Particle flux/trap dynamics, Benthos,
Boundary layers, Marine food webs,
Energetics and modeling. This
course will explore the flora and
fauna of both the pelagic and benthic
marine environments in Bonne Bay and
focus on the linkages between them. It
will be field intensive, with a
moderate lecture component and a
strong practical laboratory field
component, where we will learn to
sample and identify the organisms that
live in coastal waters and how and why
they change in time and space. |
|
| Evaluation: | Tentative: Quiz 15%, Research Project 25%, Notebook 15%, Presentation 10%, Final Exam 35% |
| Course: | Biology 4912 - Marine Mammals |
| Instructor: | Dr.
Catherine Hood, MUN Adjunct Professor, Dr.
E. Miller, MUN |
| Dates: | July 29- Aug 10, 2013 |
| Credit: | 3 credit hours |
| Deadline for write-ups: | Aug 26, 2013 |
| Textbook: | TBD |
| Description: The waters adjacent to Newfoundland Labrador are excellent locations for observing and studying marine mammals. This course offers students a unique opportunity to study and observe several species of whales, seals, dolphins and porpoise within a two-week period. There will be frequent field trips at sea to observe marine mammals in their natural habitats. Lectures and lab sessions will cover the adaptations, behaviour, morphology, sensory systems, evolution, community ecology and conservation issues of marine mammals as well as future prospects. | |
| Field Trip: | This course will involve a field trip to Port au Choix, St. Anthony and L'Anse aux Meadows. The cost associated with this field trip will be $100.00. |
| Evaluation: | Evaluation-diversity project 5%, research paper 20%, presentation of research 20%, laboratory session notes 10%, course participation 10%, final exam 35%. |
| Course: | Biology 4810 - Marine Research Field Course |
| Instructor: | Dr. Bob Hooper, MUN |
| Dates: | April 19 - May 4, 2013 |
| Credit: | 3 credit hours |
| Deadline for write-ups: | May 4, 2013 (the report is due on the last day of the course) |
| Description: The purpose of this course is to give students training and experience in independent field research. Each student will be totally responsible for every aspect of a personal research project. On campus, during the early winter, they will undertake a thorough literature review of the current primary literature, compile every detail of the design of the experiment(s) including statistical techniques, complete a list of necessary equipment and reagents, and generally be ready to start the project. Thirty per cent of the course mark depends upon successful completion of this preliminary phase. The actual research will be undertaken at the Bonne Bay Marine Station in Norris Point during the two-week period after examinations end. The project report will be submitted immediately following the completion of the work. The instructors will help and advise but the student must be independent. Although this requires hard work in often-uncomfortable conditions, most students find this course extremely rewarding and memorable. | |
| Evaluation: | Project preparation 20%, Report 70%, Participation 10% |
| Course: | Biology 3709 (FALL) |
| Instructor: | Dr. Bob Hooper, MUN |
| Dates: | Aug 19 - Aug 31, 2013 |
| Credit: | 3 credit hours |
| Deadline for write-ups: | TBA |
| Description: This is an introduction to marine habitats, organisms and sampling techniques. Students will become familiar with the important fish, invertebrates and plants that characterize Newfoundland's coastal waters. The structure of various biological communities and the interactions between the key organisms and their oceanographic and geological habitats are stressed. The course is structured as a sequence of daily field and laboratory modules including: hydrography, water masses, water chemistry, phytoplankton, zooplankton, saltmarshes, tidal flats, rocky shores, sedimentary communities, marine birds and mammals, marine pollution, fisheries management, etc. Students will learn to use oceanographic and biological sampling equipment and methods used to scientifically examine each of these habitats and groups of organisms. | |
| Field Trip: | This course will involve a field trip to southern Labrador. The cost associated with this field trip will be $100.00. |
| References: | Peterson Field Guide to the Atlantic Seashore Stevens et al., Gros Morne National Park map |
| Evaluation: | Quiz 20%, Field notebook 15%, Project 20%, Presentation 10%, Exam 35% |
Institute for Parks Canada hosts an
Institute for Teacher Interns each September.
This program brings teachers into National Parks
and National Historic Sites, and heritage into
the classroom. This is an exciting opportunity
for interns:
• Providing programs designed
specifically for primary and elementary teacher
interns.
• Putting education in context
• Demonstrating the relevance of
national parks and national historic sites.
• Linking to Specific Curriculum
Outcomes
• Identifying opportunities and gaps
• Developing educational resources
for primary and elementary classrooms
TEACHERS: For more
information on applying for this institute,
contact:
Contact: Barbara Ryder
Placement Officer Field Services
Department of Education
Memorial University
E2024 Email: bryder@mun.ca
Telephone: (709)737-8599
www.mun.ca/educ/undergrad/field/