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Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University is internationally known for its ship and submersible operations and research in marine science, biomedical marine research, aquaculture, and ocean engineering. Harbor Branch borders Indian River Lagoon, the estuary with the highest diversity in the United States. The lagoon's proximity facilitates activities such as seining, sieving, snorkeling, and boat trips, that provide students exposure to a variety of local and coastal habitats, including seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, salt marshes, intertidal mudflats, sandy shores, beach communities, and nearshore reefs. Other habitats, including the Florida Everglades and the Florida Keys reef tract, are less than half a day's drive. Our teaching facility, the Johnson Education Center, is equipped with classrooms, teaching labs, a computer lab with full Internet access, and a 350-seat auditorium with sophisticated audio-visual capabilities.
Courses - Summer 2010
Our courses are designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Florida Atlantic University accredits these courses. Students wishing undergraduate credit should register for courses at the 4000 level; graduate students should register for courses at the 6000 level.
Summer Term 2 (May 17 - June 25, 2010)
BSC 4930/6936 Biology of Sea Turtles (3 credits) Lecture, lab, and field course that introduces the behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary adaptations of sea turtles. Major topics include species identification, functional anatomy, reproduction, nests and hatchlings, migration, navigation, feeding ecology, threats to survival and conservation strategies. (Dr. Jeanette Wyneken, May 18 - May 30). This intensive, two-week course is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.
BSC 4930/6936 Marine Microbiology (3 credits) - Marine microbes play a vital role in the maintenance of our planet. The course explores the diversity and function of marine microbes starting with microbial structure and physiology and developing this into an understanding of their roles in disease and ocean processes. Lecture: Monday and Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. - 4:35 p.m. (Dr. Peter McCarthy)
Registration Procedure
FAU degree-seeking students can register via FAU's registration website. Non-FAU students interested in Biology of Sea Turtles should contact the Marine Education Office, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946; Phone: (772) 465-2400, ext. 506; Fax: (772) 465-5743; email: jsunder2@hboi.fau.edu. For guidance on registration, non-FAU and non-degree seeking students should contact: Kimberly Stanley, Campus Registrar - Northern Campuses, Florida Atlantic University - Jupiter Campus, email: kstanley@fau.edu.
Housing
Students interested in summer housing have the option of living on the Harbor Branch campus or staying off-campus in nearby Vero Beach or Fort Pierce. Dorm rooms in apartment-style housing, with full cooking facilities, is available on campus. For students who prefer to live off campus, the nearby communities have a wide variety of rooms, cottages, apartments, and houses, spanning a range of prices. Our staff will help you in making the appropriate contacts for off-campus housing. For more information on housing options, please contact the Marine Education Office, HBOI-FAU, 5600 U.S. 1 North Fort Pierce, FL 34946; Phone: (772) 465-2400, ext. 506; Fax: (772) 465-5743; email: jsunder2@hboi.fau.edu.
Library
Students have access to the Harbor Branch Library and have full circulation privileges. The library is an open-stack research library whose collections and services are developed and maintained for the support of our researchers, students, and visiting investigators. The library includes more than 17,000 volumes, 180 current periodical subscriptions, and 20,000 cataloged reprints and technical reports, with emphasis on the biological, environmental, medical, and oceanographic sciences. The library provides photocopy equipment, workstations for the HBOI network with full Internet access, an online catalogue, and access to a variety of electronic publications.
Computer Lab
Students have access to Marine Education’s computer laboratory. This facility, equipped with networked PCs with Internet access, and laser and inkjet printers, provides students with resources to access the Internet, enter and analyze data, write reports, and create presentations.
Additional Information
For additional information, contact the Marine Education Office, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946; Phone: (772) 465-2400, ext. 506; Fax: (772) 465-5743; email: jsunder2@hboi.fau.edu.
