OCEANOGRAPHY of the GULF of MAINE:
BIOSM 160
If you are interested in applying for this course, contact SEA directly at:(800) 552-3633, ext. 770 or e-mail: admission@sea.edu Thank you!
The Shoals Marine Lab does not process applications for this course.
dates: JULY 7 – JULY 26, 2008
credit hours: 3 semester credits
Prerequisite: Open to high school juniors and seniors who have successfully completed
two high school science courses. Admission is also based on a teacher
recommendation, high school transcript, and a personal statement. Oceanography of the Gulf of Maine offers a unique opportunity for students to experience life on board a sailing vessel and on an island off the coast of Maine, studying oceanic and coastal marine environments. Offered jointly by the Sea Education Association (SEA) and the Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML), this academically rigorous program exposes students to the science of the sea while earning 3 college credits from Cornell University. Each section has two components; one at sea and one at the Shoals Marine Laboratory.
Begins at SML/Appledore and ends in Woods Hole, MA
SHORE COMPONENT AT SHOALS MARINE LABORATORY, APPLEDORE ISLAND
The nine-day shore component takes place at the Shoals Marine Laboratory's (SML) field station on Appledore Island, Isles of Shoals, Maine. This half of the OGM program provides the near-shore, coastal portion of the students' oceanographic study of the Gulf of Maine. OGM's challenging curriculum includes an introduction to the scientific method; students analyze data collected from sites located along Appledore's rocky intertidal zone. Field trips to neighboring islands include visits to local harbor seal and seabird communities. Lectures and laboratory activities provide exposure to the fundamentals of coastal marine ecology.
THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Daily schedules a the Shoals Marine Laboratory are flexible in order to accommodate predictable events (e.g. tides), to take advantage of unforeseen opportunities to experience the marine environment (e.g. observing the nearby passage of migrating whales), and to participate in campus-wide marine science lectures and field opportunities.
Depending upon tides and weather, OGM's daily routine often includes early morning collecting trips to the intertidal zone. Lectures, laboratory exercises, field trips on the island or a cruise onboard SML's Research Vessel John M. Kingsbury complete the daytime schedule. After dinner, lectures, slide or film presentations are often given. Before and after lecture, students are encouraged to carry on informal discussions with visiting faculty, work in the labs, or study.
ISLAND LIFE
Days on Appledore are filled with academic endeavors, but students
do have free time around meals, during which they can use the
island's volleyball court, swimming area, or library. SML encourages
OGM participants to interact with the entire island community;
musicians should feel free to bring an instrument to the island
and share a song with other students, faculty and staff.
Three meals are served on the island each day, except Sunday,
when schedules are somewhat more relaxed and begin after a mid-morning
brunch. One morning or afternoon each week, students join in a
general cleaning of the island and its facilities. At least once
during each course, every attempt is made to provide a lobster
dinner, with a beautiful sunset in the background.
SHIPBOARD COMPONENT ABOARD the SSV CORWITH CRAMER
Students board one of SEA's sailing research vessel and depart from Appledore Island on a ten-day oceanographic voyage on the waters surrounding Cape Cod, George's Bank and the Gulf of Maine. Working alongside professional scientists, students conduct marine research and collect data which emphasizes the inter-relationships of the biological, geological, and physical characteristics of the Gulf of Maine region. Students are introduced to the basics of nautical science as they participate in the routine operation and navigation of the ship. This half of the OGM program provides the "blue water" portion of the students' oceanographic study of the Gulf of Maine.
THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Each student is assigned to a watch group of eight people with whom he/she rotates through the 24-hour schedule. While a student watch group is on duty, each person is assigned to a particular area of the vessel for the duration of the watch period: in the lab, on the deck in the galley or in the engine room.
During lab watch, students participate in oceanographic activities led by the scientist on duty. These include deploying oceanographic instruments at scientific stations conducted each day at sea, to determine characteristics of the water column, the sea floor, and the biological organisms of the area. Students assist in analyzing the biological, geological, chemical and physical data collected during the cruise. These data may include sea temperature, salinity, chemical nutrients, water depth, plankton samples, sediment samples and weather observations.
During deck portion of the watch, students participate in navigational exercises led by the mate on duty. These exercises include opportunities to maneuver the vessel, radar plotting, and near-shore piloting with charts and compass.
ON BOARD SHIP
Life at sea is fast-paced, as all watch
activities continue on a 24-hour basis throughout the oceanographic
voyage. In addition to routine watch standing duties that will be part
of each student's experience at sea, two lectures are also presented
daily. There is always something new to see, to learn, to do.
Accommodations are comfortable, but cozy. The food is excellent and
plentiful--three meals plus three snacks each day. At least once during
the cruise, students join in a general cleaning of the ship. Everyone
has enough free time to make friends with the rest of the crew on
board, to keep a journal, to climb aloft, to make music (bringing
instruments is encouraged!), and to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets.
