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General information
This year edition (the 7th one) of Marine Biology Summer School in Hel (Poland) is an obligatory part of the study programme of Erasmus Mundus MSC in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, so the Summer School courses are open only for EMBC students. EMBC is offered by a University consortium consisting of 6 partners: Ghent University (Belgium), University of Bremen (Germany), University of the Algarve (Portugal), University Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 006 (France), University of Oviedo (Spain), University of Klaipčda (Lithuania) (http://embc.marbef.org/index.asp)

The Marine Biology Summer School, Physiological and genetic diversity of marine organisms in European coastal systems (from 11/07 till 22/07/2009), is a ten-day self-contained program of intensive study on various aspects of marine biodiversity, primarily the diversity in ecophysiological performance of individuals and population genetics of benthic organisms from various European coastal regions.

The Marine Biology Summer School 2009 is dedicated to the diversity in the adaptation capacity of marine organisms at physiological and genetic levels and the relation between such diversity and the functioning of populations and communities at ecological level, with special emphasis on coastal zoobenthic organisms.

The course will cover a combination of theory and practice including definitions of biodiversity, physiological acclimatisation and genetic adaptation in marine organisms, practical analyses in the laboratory, and field studies on benthic invertebrates taken along different gradients of environmental variables (salinity, depth, temperature, latitude).

Scientific Program

Lectures normally are attended by all course participants together as a single group. Participants are also divided into smaller groups for field works, practical classes and presentations of results that were obtained during the course. Classes present an opportunity to work through problem sets or case studies, present seminar papers and to discuss any problems arising from the lectures with a teaching assistant and classmates. The lecturers offer also to students an opportunity to consult their own research ideas and projects in which they are involved in their own or host institutions.

In field surveys (one full day), the Baltic benthic invertebrates (particularly bivalves) will be collected by students with a bottom dredge for physiological and genetic measurements during a research cruise onboard the vessel "Oceanograf II" and during a field trip in shallow coastal water. In subsequent practical courses the students will be trained in basic genetic analyses (isoenzyme starch gel electrophoresis of seven loci and statistical data processing) and ecophysiological measurements. Ecophysiological diversity and adaptation of benthic organisms along geographic gradients in European coastal waters will be thus unraveled to underline various levels of marine biodiversity. Such an organisation of practical classes will lead the students through an entire process of scientific research, going from formulating hypotheses and designing experimental set-up to results and conclusions. Comparisons will be made between adaptive and acclimation responses of organisms living under strongly differing environmental conditions i.e. from a dynamic tidal marine area (the Dutch Westerschelde estuary, North Sea) and a relatively stable non-tidal brackish area (the Gulf of Gdansk, southern Baltic Sea).

Venue

The Marine Biology Summer School 2009 will be held in the Hel Marine Station, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdansk, Poland which is located ca 100 km from Gdansk at the end of the Hel Peninsula, southern Baltic Sea.
Daily Schedule Courses

Daily Schedule Courses -is available here

Transport, accommodation and meals

How to get to Hel Marine station - the information is available here

All participants will be accommodated in the Student Social Base (double-, 6- and 10-person rooms) belonging to the Hel Marine Station in Hel. Breakfast and mid-day meals and evening meals will be served for all participants at a specified time. All meals are included in the course fee.

Social events

The Marine Biology Summer School 2009 will be also a wonderful place to meet people. If you are traveling alone, you will quickly make friends amongst your classmates, during excursions, and amongst your neighbors in your accommodation. There is much to see and enjoy in the Pomeranian Region (Hel Peninsula, the historical city of Gdansk) and the surrounding beaches and countryside.

The Marine Biology Summer School 2009 offers additional activities during the school including open-fire camp, tours around the tip of the Hel Peninsula and a daytrip for those who want to see the surroundings and The Old City in Gdansk.

For some of the evening meals, the students are requested to prepare alternatively a local and/or traditional dinner that is specific to their own region or country. Those who are willing to do so are requested to bring essential ingredients, that probably are not available in Poland, with them (count for 24 persons). Of course, the majority of the food items can be bought in the village of Hel and will be paid by the course organizers.

Insurance

Travel Insurance
It is essential that all participants take out travel insurance before traveling to Poland to cover themselves for any expenses incurred as a result of lost or stolen property or late arrival or early departure due to unforeseen circumstances.

Medical Insurance
Your country may have a reciprocal arrangement with Poland so that medical care is free. If it does not, it is essential that students take out medical insurance to cover them during their stay. This is important if students have particular medical needs that may require attention during their stay. It is often expected that payment is made at the time of treatment.

Certificates and Credits

Students receive a Certificate of Attendance at the end of the programme. The Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdansk will issue an official transcript of individual records showing the number of hours devoted to lectures and ECTS grades. Credits according to the European Community Course Credit Transfer System (ECTS-credits) may be earned by successful completion of courses. Credits (6 points) and grades earned at the Marine Biology Summer School are certified and transcripted by the University of Gdansk.

Students' evaluation of previous schools

In order to improve the course organisation, including quality of lectures and practical classes, teaching level, logistics, social programme, course announcement, etc., participants of the school are asked at the end of the course to anonymously evaluate the course by expressing their feelings regarding summer school experiences, satisfaction with instruction, and their use and satisfaction with student services. A summary of the evaluation for the courses held in 2004-2008 is available here.

Disclaimer

Although all possible care has been taken to ensure that the information on these Web pages is accurate, no responsibility can be taken for any errors or omissions however caused.

Contact and Organising Committee

Marine Biology Summer School 2009
Prof.Dr. Maciej Wolowicz
Prof.Dr. Herman Hummel
Dr. Adam Sokolowski
Dr. Rafal Lasota
Marine Biology Summer School 2009
University of Gdansk
Institute of Oceanography
Al. Piłsudskiego 46
81-378 Gdynia
POLAND

Secretary