Marine Population Dynamics Semester on Catalina Island

Why does one species teeter on the edge of extinction while another adapts to change? How are populations genetically linked or isolated? How do ecological processes at the population level relate to evolutionary change at the species level? How do human actions affect populations of marine species? Are marine reserves effective management strategies to protect and restore marine habitats, populations and species? How can we use modern molecular tools to approach some of these questions?

Please join us for the new Marine Population Dynamics Catalina Semester program. This intensive, hands-on program immerses 10-15 select students in lab and field research at our marine laboratory on Catalina Island. Our fully protected marine reserve, one of very few in California, provides a natural laboratory for investigating both the science of populations, ecosystems and evolution and the design and application of marine protected areas as a conservation and management tools. This semester is designed for students interested in graduate school in biology and environmental science or jobs in environmental or conservation fields.

During the Marine Population Dynamics Semester, you will take an interwoven set of three classes (see below) and conduct an independent research project. The instructors will include Dr. Suzanne Edmands, Dr. Jonna Engel, Dr. Douglas Pace, along with other faculty including Dr. Dave Caron, Dr. Donal Manahan, and Dr. Anthony Michaels.

Ecology and Natural History of California
Conservation Biology and Population Genetics
Comparative Physiology of Animals
Independent Research

This program will be offered during our Spring Semester on Catalina Island each year. Please contact us at (213) 740-6780 or catsem@usc.edu.