This six-day field-oriented Island Ecology course is conducted at the USC Marine Science Center on beautiful Catalina Island. The course applies ecological principles to islands of the world with a special emphasis on the channel islands of southern California, specifically Catalina Island. Content topics include island biogeography, colonization, succession, energy flow, and niche partitioning, including a variety of intra and interspecies interactions. You will learn about unique natural history of fascinating terrestrial and marine island life, human impacts, and the preservation and conservation of island ecosystems. In addition to exciting hands-on labs you should be prepared for snorkeling and hiking over rugged terrain. Credit is offered through Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, C A.
Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Understand ecological principles such as energy flow, niche partitioning, and species interrelationships such as parasitism, commensalism, and predation.
- Explain the principles of island evolution and island biogeography.
- Discuss and interpret the natural history of the flora and fauna of the marine and terrestrial communities, specifically Catalina Island.
- Examine human ethno cultural impacts/influences on island ecosystems, emphasizing Catalina.
- Use a variety of field equipment/technology, collect, analyze, and evaluate field data and observations.
- Design and carry out quantitative and/or qualitative scientific field investigations.
Credit: 2 semester credits
Textbook: Natural History of the Islands of California - by Allan A. Schoenherr, C. Robert Feldmeth, and Michael J. Emerson. 2000. University of California Press, $6.50 used, 492 pages, ISBN #: 0-52-021197-9.
Prerequisites: Any 3 unit or greater college-level biology course. Transfer: CSU; UC.
Location: Located on Catalina Island just 20 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, the USC Marine Science Center is a state-of-the-art laboratory and teaching facility. Eight laboratories accommodate up to 24 researchers and groups of up to 60 students. Housing can host 65 overnight guests and provide meals for up to 150 people. The labs are currently used by faculty and students from USC and other regional universities and are available for a broad range of research and educational activities.
Grading: Your grade will be based on participation, lab assignments, exit exam, and a field investigation project which you design, carry out, and present.
Fees: In addition to a Cuesta College credit fee of $72 (for 2 sem. credits) there is an operational cost of $560 per student. Your operational fee will cover parking, transportation to and from Catalina Island via San Pedro Harbor, food, attractive double occupancy room accommodations, as well as use of the facility equipment (boats, dive gear, kayaks, etc.). Students must also supply their own clothing, towels, packs, and other necessary personal gear. You must register for the course first (on-line registration begins April 23) and pay a deposit of $200 by May 7th. The $360 balance must be paid by May 28th. Email Dr. Lavoie (dlavoie@cuesta.edu ) for more details.
Instructor Background/Contact:Dr. Lavoie has taught biology for the last 25 years in a variety of school settings. He has a special interest in marine biology and ecology and spent four years living on Catalina Island where he taught environmental science. Dr. Lavoie currently teaches biology at Cuesta College, Hartnell College, and is Director of the Discovery Institute for the Advancement of Science and Technology Education, a non-profit foundation devoted to the improvement of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. In his spare time he enjoys hiking and biking with his family.
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Derrick R. Lavoie, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
Ph: (805) 709-0579
Email: dlavoie@cuesta.edu
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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Day |
Activity |
Saturday June 9
9:00 am 3:50 pm
at Cuesta College
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Morning: Orientation-Preparation, LECTURE - Introduction to Island Ecology
Afternoon: LAB - Conducting Scientific Investigations Lab |
Monday
June 11
USC Marine Lab
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Morning: Depart San Pedro 7:15 am
Facility Tour
Dive Locker Orientation
Orientation Dive
Afternoon: Scientific Investigation Project
Evening: LECTURE -- Intro to Catalina (History, Geology, Nature)
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Tuesday
June 12
USC Marine Lab
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Morning: Snorkeling – Vertebrate Observations
Afternoon: LAB - Plankton
Evening: LECTURE – Marine Communities |
Wednesday
June 13
USC Marine Lab
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Morning: Snorkeling- Algae collection; Project Data Collection
Afternoon: LAB - Algae-Holdfast Field Lab
Evening: LECTURE- Island Biogeography |
Thursday
June 14
USC Marine Lab |
Morning: Snorkeling – Invertebrate Observations: Project Data Collection
Afternoon: Terrestrial Hike - Birds, Plants, mammals
Evening: Graduate Student Seminar
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Friday
June 15
USC Marine Lab
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Morning: Project Presentations
Afternoon: Field Journal, Exam, Departure
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Discovery Institute for the Advancement of Science and Technology Education
1342 Wilson Ct.
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 709-0579
PH: (805) 709-0579
FAX: 805 221-5254
EMAIL: info@institutefordiscovery.org
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