Marine Mammal Ecology in the Pacific Northwest

Spring 2013 quarter

Faculty

John Calambokidis marine mammal biology

Description

We will examine the ecology and natural history of marine mammals (seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, and whales) in the Pacific Northwest and especially the Salish Sea (including Puget Sound). The class will have a focus on current and recent research findings as well as well as on management and conflicts with human activities. Students will also conduct more detailed research on a specific topic that will be chosen working with the faculty and will prepare a research paper summarizing their findings as well as make a presentation to the class at the end of the course. Course will include at least one field trip and labs including a trip to a harbor seal haul out area and a marine mammal necropsy to allow direct exposure to marine mammals in the wild and research techniques. Lectures will be conducted during evening classes but at least one field trip will involve a half day additional session conducted during the week.

Reading:

Marine Mammal Research: Conservation beyond crisis. Timothy J. Ragen et al. 2005. John Hopkins Press ISBN: 0801882559

Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology. Annalisa Berta, James L. Sumich, and Kit M. Kovacs. 2nd Edition, 2006. Academic Press. ISBN: 978-01208855

Faculty Bio:
John Calambokidis is a research biologist and a co-founder of Cascadia Research, a non-profit research organization formed in 1979 based in Olympia, Washington. His primary interests are the biology of marine mammals and the impacts of humans. As a Senior Research Biologist at Cascadia Research he has served as Project Director of over 100 projects. He has authored two books on marine mammals (the award-winning Guide to Marine Mammals of Greater Puget Sound with R. Osborne and E.M. Dorsey and Blue Whales with G.H. Steiger) as well as more than 150 publications in scientific journals and technical reports. He has conducted studies on a variety of marine mammals in the North Pacific from Central America to Alaska and has directed long-term research on the status, movements, and underwater behavior of blue, humpback, and gray whales. His work has been featured on the Discovery Channel and National Geographic TV specials.

 

Advertised Schedule

6-10p Mon

Location

Olympia

Online Learning

Enhanced Online Learning

Books

Greener Store

Undergraduate Credit Option

Requires faculty approval.

Offered During

Evening