Collaborative graduate course at Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland

Physiological Ecology Workshop: using physiological methods to address ecological questions in the field

Toruń - Popówka, 15-27 June 2009

7 ECTS Credits, NO TUITION FEE

Deadline for application:  28 March 2009

Application form: click here

Interested? Please immediately contact
dr. Michał S. Wojciechowski (e-mail)

 
Timing and duration:

The course will take place in mid-June 2009 and be divided into two parts. 1) Preparatory lectures during the first week, then 2)  a week long field excursion to the Faculties of Biology and Earth Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University field station in Popówka (Tuchola Forests region, 53°57' N, 17°48' E)

 
Instructors:

• Dr. Małgorzata Jefimow (NCU, Poland)
• Prof. Berry Pinshow (BGU, Israel)
• Dr hab. Ryszard Wiśniewski, prof. UMK (NCU, Poland)
• Dr Michał S. Wojciechowski (NCU, Poland)
• Tentative: Dr. Christopher R. Tracy (CDU, Australia)
• Mr. Oded Berger, M.Sc. (BGU, Israel)

Course description:

The objective of the course is to familiarize students with the process of doing science – from formulating an hypothesis, through its testing, to reporting results in the manner of a scientific journal.  We aim to introduce students to variety of methods for measuring physiological and physical variables in the field and teach them how to use these to answer ecological questions. Particular emphasis  will be placed on cutting-edge techniques, and on the ways in which recent technological advances have made it possible to move traditionally laboratory-based methods into the field.  Prior to a week-long field excursion, during which groups of up to three students will undertake independent research, several preparatory lectures will be given to introduce the participating students to the basics of the following topics:

• The scientific method, including hypothesis testing and design of field experiments
• Biophysical ecology; animal-environment energy and water exchange
• Techniques in micrometeorology
• Animal energetics
• Chronobiology; the importance of biological rhythms in the field experiments
• Telemetry – tracking animal movements and monitoring physiological parameters
• Field techniques used to capture and process  animals for scientific purposes
• Applied hydrobiology

 
The course is limited to 20 students (10 from NCU and 10 from other universities, including abroad). For more information please immediately contact 
dr. Michał S. Wojciechowski (mwojc@umk.pl; phone: +48 56 6112623). The deadline for applications: 28 March 2009.

7 ECTS Credits, NO TUITION FEE.  Students are expected to make their own way to Toruń and to cover their own room and board costs while in Toruń.  Bed in a dormitory is ~22 zł per night
(today ~ US$ 7 or € 5.5).