ZO3024

MarineField Course

Where? When? How much?

Monday 27th September —Friday 1st October inclusive……

Leaving from in front of the Department at 14.00 on Monday…

Leaving on the return journey before noon on Friday…

Travel time - approx 3.0 hours

Where? When? How much?

€€200 200 (subsidised by the Zoology Department)

This covers:• transport

• accommodation

• food

• insurance

• And of course some education…..

to introduce aspects of practical field biology, working with a range of shores and invertebrate groups, in a variety of intertidal habitats……..

• sampling techniques, for the establishment of distribution and abundance

Why?

• identification of elements of the animals and plants of the seashore using keys and guides……..

• practical skill associated with the collection, handling and identification of specimens

• Classifications of habitats

Why?

• Tide tables and shore profiling

Collection of specimens at low tideIdentification and classification in the laboratoryShore profiles and heights

The assessment is based on:•Field notebook•Laboratory drawings, identification and comments

How?

Assessment

Accommodation will be in Barholm, Portaferry(www.travel-ireland.com/sample.htm)

Barholm is in the middle of Portaferry next to the marine Laboratory and the Aquarium

Accommodation is basic, but adequate.

All necessary facilities (including beds and bedding are provided), but you might wish to bring your own towel.

Accommodation…..

Accommodation is by groups in dormitories

The course is self-catering. Meals are prepared by the staff and students, so please let Fiona know of any dietary imperatives well in advance.

Meals are timetabled to fit in with the tides

Bread, jam, tea, coffee etc. are available ad lib.

Luxuries are your own concern.

Catering…..

The rota will be drawn up for tidy/clean-up/assistance and each group is on duty for 24 hours: it is YOUR responsibility to make sure the place is clean and tidy

Give Fiona a cheque for €200, made payable to TCD No1 Account.Get from her, and complete, a Basic Health Assessment form (if you have not already done so). A good idea for any fieldwork is to have had a recent tetanus booster.

Do some background reading about Strangford Lough and the area generally;

Buy, or at least have a look at, some basic guides and keys e.g.

Collins Guide to the Seashore and Shallow Seas of Britain and Europe

What to do now…..

• Toiletries (including minor and personal medical supplies) and Towel

• Waterproofs (we don’t stop because its raining)• At least one full change of clothing!!!!! (we

didn’t stop because it was raining)• Waders or wellingtons• Dissection kit• Lab coat• Paper and pencils

What to bring…..

Optional, but useful….• Flask and lunch box• Binoculars (if you have some…)• Music

Schedule 2010

• Mon 27 Arrival and welcome; Lecture and course outline

• Tue 28 Ballyhenry: introduction to rocky shores. LT 11.34

• Wed 29 Granagh: tidal channels LT 12.15• Thur 30 Dorn: Sermon on the mount, sublittoral and fish

LT 13.04• Fri 1 Kearney: Habitat mapping LT 11.04• Departure 14.00

….the end