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GEOBIOLOGY 2002 AN INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE Offered by the Open to students and researchers at the graduate,
DATE: MINISYMPOSIA (TOPICS AND SUMMARIES)
COURSE DESCRIPTION The course offers intensive interactions between the fields of biology and earth history on an advanced level. Over a period of six weeks the participants will be exposed to an in-depth treatment of how biology interacts with the environment and how these interactions have shaped the evolution of the earth. This year's course will focus on five main themes which are most central to the discipline of geobiology:
A core team of biologists, chemists and geologists will lecture on these topics. The course will include daily lectures and biweekly minisymposia to bring in outside experts to discuss specific topics. Participants will get hands-on experience on modern research methods in geobiology and participate in on-site research groups solving current questions relevant to the field. COURSE OBJECTIVES The purpose of the course is to provide an overview of the many facets of the exciting field of geobiology by bringing together various aspects of a number of environmental sciences. Since a major goal of the course is to initiate contacts between scientific fields which are not usually combined, it encourages a rapprochement between various areas of microbiology, geochemistry and geology and treats them with an evolutionary outlook. In addition to providing a base for interdisciplinary training of a new generation of scientists, our expectation is that the gathering of biologists, geochemists and geologists in an interdisciplinary course will promote the development of collaborations between established investigators and young scientists to solve important problems in geobiology. The development of a common "geobiological language" that the course will facilitate is essential for progress in this field at all levels. COURSE STRUCTURE The course comprises lectures in the morning, laboratory work in the afternoon and colloquia in the evening. An important component of the course will be excursions to nearby sites of interest in order to introduce the participants to microbial ecology, field geology and geochemistry as it happens in natural settings. At the course location we will emphasize the marine environment but not exclude other interesting microbial and geological systems available at various sites in the Southern California area. Some lectures will illustrate the importance of microbes as living chemical agents and emphasize the roles microbes play in global geochemical cycles, others will address chemical systems on the early earth and again others will emphasize the diversity of microbial genomes which harbor the majority of the geophysiological "inventions" made in the course of evolution. Understanding geobiology will open new insights into the history of life on earth and possibly suggest new approaches to discovering life on other planets. A better understanding of microbes promises to provide a better awareness of the microbial biosphere, which is the earth's life support system. Preparatory discussions, computer modelling and exercises on particular course subjects are offered during the course as requested by the participants and research themes will be discussed during the minisymposia on Saturday mornings. On field trips we will point out characteristic microbial habitats, collect microbes and try to enrich and isolate them in the laboratory. Chemical and physical measurements in situ and analyses of environmental samples employing in vitro techniques will be applied to define environmental determinants in particular habitats. The laboratory work is investigative, i.e. we would like to discover new processes and microbes and understand their activities. Research themes are designed to educate students about current techniques in geobiology and to encourage independent research. The students will carry out investigations in groups or individually with faculty assistance and independently. The course requires complete student participation in all aspects of the program for the full duration of the course. Proficiency in the English language is essential. Course work begins early in the morning and may typically run late into the evening. Although there will be little time for activities other than course work, past experience has shown that the very intensity of the work encourages long lasting friendships and collaborations among the participants MINISYMPOSIA (TOPICS AND SUMMARIES) The weekend minisymposia will introduce the participants to frontier research carried out by established investigators. A two-day minisymposium on August 15 and 16 is devoted to student presentations related to course research themes. Students of the Geobiology Course will present their course research results and research advisors of the course will briefly introduce the kind of research they are themselves involved in. The presentations will hopefully inspire interest in research with geobiological perspectives; research which might in turn provide new solutions to current geobiological problems. The contributions at the minisymposia will also broaden the often narrow focus of the every-day research work and offer students and established investigators new approaches to answering geobiological questions. There will be ample time for discussions during and after each minisymposium.
WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED FROM THE PARTICIPANTS During the course students are expected to
LOCATIONS AND TIME
COURSE ORGANIZERS The course is organized by the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center in conjunction with the Co-Directors of the course, Dr. Kurt Hanselmann, University of Zurich and Dr. Will Berelson, University of Southern California, and the Agouron Institute. Lecturers, teaching staff and course instructors are drawn from microbiologically, chemically and geologically oriented research groups on campus, from other research institutions and from abroad as well as from applied fields. COURSE STAFF
APPLICATION DETAILS Stipends and Financial Aid: The course is supported by a grant from the Agouron Institute. A number of stipends are thus available for students who would not otherwise be able to pay the course fees or travel. The awards will vary according to need and can cover part or all of the costs of tuition, room, board and travel expenses. Course students who are not US-residents may apply for the stipends as well. See the application form for more information. Course Costs: (please see stipend section above for information about the generous financial aid and stipends to support participation in this course).
Symposia Costs:
Prerequisites: Participants should be relatively experienced in their scientific field. Basic knowledge of chemistry and biology are prerequisites for successful participation. The course requires complete student participation in all aspects of the program for the full duration of the course. Course work begins early in the morning and may typically run late into the evening. There is little time for much else but course work. Language: The course will be taught in English. Proficiency in the English language is an essential prerequisite for participation. Student credit: No credits are given for the course. Upon request, however, the organizers will certify the successful completion of the course, offer an opinion as to the credit value of the program, and suggest an appropriate grade if requested to do so. It is the student's responsibility to validate these credits at his or her home institution. Students may copy and distribute their certificates as necessary; institutions desiring authentication may contact the organizers. Insurance: Accident and health insurance are the responsibility of the participant. The organizers undertake no liability. Participants have to show proof of appropriate insurance coverage. Course fees include insurance coverage for course-related injuries only. Admission: The admission process for the course is competitive. A maximum of 20 participants are admitted on the basis of their academic or teaching records, demonstrated research and/or teaching interests and abilities, originality, recommendations and career goals as they are related to the course objectives. All applications are reviewed by the education committee. If necessary, selection between equally qualified participants will be made according to the time of arrival of the application. Notification of acceptance and further information will be sent to all applicants by the middle of May. How to apply: Complete the application and forward it by
Along with your application, please submit a two page CV and two letters of recommendation completed by a person, other than a faculty member of the course, who is able to evaluate your professional experience, your commitment to the field of the course, your scientific abilities (creativity, imagination, curiosity, initiative, skills) and your overall potential for success in applying the course contents in your professional career. Students who would like to apply for financial assistance should supply the appropriate information on the application form. Applications must be submitted by Foreign participants will require the proper visa for participation in this training program and they will have to sign a "health insurance memo of understanding." The necessary forms and a formal invitation letter needed for the visa application will be mailed to accepted applicants who will then have to apply for the visa through the US embassy in their country. For information on the Agouron Institute, please contact:
Send application Materials to:
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