COURSE INFORMATION

Dr. Margaret Mulholland

BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY LABORATORY (OCEN619) - FALL 2003

Goal:

The goal of this course is to familiarize students with current methods in biological oceanography so that they are aware of the number and types of methods that exist and the limitations associated with particular methods. A broad understanding of methodological considerations will give students a practical approach to research and monitoring, enable them to objectively evaluate published and unpublished research papers, and to select methods appropriate for answering their particular research questions.

Participation:

This course is an intensive course and meets for 5 hours once a week. I expect participation during all of the scheduled laboratories (0900 - 1400 on Thursdays). If you cannot attend, please let me know in advance by phone or e-mail.

In addition to our regular meetings, there may be times when we will need to make measurements during the week. When this is the case, we will make a schedule to distribute the workload evenly.

We will also schedule at least one field trip. This may be at a time other than the regular meeting time. You are welcome and encouraged to bring binoculars, field guides, etc.

Laboratory Reports:

Methods comparison paper: For one of the topics covered, you will prepare a paper identifying different methods for measuring a parameter (e.g., chlorophyll, bacterial productivity, primary productivity, etc.) and discuss the pluses and minuses of employing specific methods to achieve a specific experimental objective.

Experimental analysis paper: For one of the experiments we do (grazing; logistic growth; HOTS JGOFS data and trophic interactions study), you will prepare a written report summarizing the experimental rationale and significance, the methods employed, the results and a short discussion/interpretation of the results in the context of biological oceanography. This should be in the form of a journal article (we will use the format of L&O. See: http://aslo.org/index2.html, with particular reference to the instructions for citations).

Time series data presentation, analysis and discussion: Select data from that available for HOT or BATS and prepare a short presentation to discuss a particular aspect of basin-scale oceanography, interannual variation or depth related variation in one or several parameters (e.g., chlorophyll, bacterial productivity, primary productivity, etc.).

You are expected to speak/write clearly and concisely in these reports and they will be evaluated based on clarity as well as scientific content.

Research Project:

During the semester, you will identify a discrete scientific question, frame it as a testable hypothesis and then design and carry out a small-scale research project to address the question. During the first half of the semester, you will meet with me to discuss your interests and project ideas. Then you will develop a short proposal (5 pages) introducing the problem, articulating your hypothesis, identifying methods you will employ to test your hypothesis and the discussing expected results and their broader significance. At the end of the semester, you will present your research to the class in the form of a 15-minute presentation and a 10 page project paper. Field expeditions will be timed so that they can be used to gather samples for research projects.

This project should be small-scale. Something you can do in < 2 months. One class period will be cancelled to allow additional time for your project. The idea is to do a discreet, self-motivated experiment and not your Master's Thesis (although it can be related to your specific research interests). A non-result or zero is a valid answer for an experiment. Again, the idea is to do an experiment with a beginning and an end, not to win a Nobel Prize.

I expect timeliness. You are encouraged to send papers via e-mail. To keep you on track, here is a schedule of deadlines for deliverables:

Examples of projects:

Comparison of 2 methods (chlorophyll extraction using methanol or acetone) or instruments (fluorometer or spectrophotometer)

Interaction of mixed layer depth and productivity (using on-line data sets)

Interaction between water quality and primary productivity (on-line data sets)

Formulate a model using Stella Software (e.g., for predation or nutrient uptake)

Compare the growth of organisms at different light or nutrient levels.

Compare grazing of microzooplankton on different food sources.

Compare phytoplankton and bacterial growth in mixed versus monospecific cultures.

Compare diel rates of metabolic processes.

Some comments:

Double-space your reports and papers.

Use the spelling and grammar check programs on your computer. Bad spelling and grammar make it difficult to read and understand your work and may result in a poor grade.

If you have trouble writing, see The Elements of Style by Strunk and White (available online) or How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, 3 rd edition (1988) by Robert A. Day (available in the bookstore).

Ask someone to proofread your papers.