Summer 2013 Schedule
NOT OFFERED IN SUMMER 2013
Oceanography of the Gulf of Maine
Academic Coursework
Introduction to Oceanography: Through deployments of oceanographic equipment, data analyses, lab work and lectures, students are introduced to marine geology, water masses, wind-driven and thermohaline circulation, planktonic organisms, the chemistry of seawater, and the unique oceanographic processes in the Gulf of Maine.
Introduction to Nautical Science: Students learn about piloting and chartwork, ship handling, sail theory, life at sea, safety, seamanship, ship stability, aerodynamics, and hydrodynamics.
Introduction to Marine Ecology: Students are introduced to marine ecosystems of the Gulf of Maine through hands-on, discovery-based learning. We investigate the ecological interactions between organisms and their environments in the intertidal and sublittoral zones around Appledore Island, the seabird nesting grounds of nearby islands, and the surrounding open water through field work, lab exercises, and lectures.
Students receive three (3) Cornell University credits for successful completion of OGM.
Shore Component - Shoals Marine Lab
OGM begins with a shore component at the Shoals Marine Laboratory field station on Appledore Island, located off the coast of Maine. The program's challenging curriculum provides an introduction to the scientific method. Students collect data from sites located along Appledore's rocky intertidal zone and analyze their findings. A lab practical and group research projects complement the fieldwork.
Field trips to neighboring islands include visits to local harbor seal and seabird communities. Lectures and laboratory activities provide exposure to the fundamentals of coastal marine ecology. Topics of study include island history, coastal oceanography, marine invertebrates, vertebrates, and algae.
Island Life
Daily schedules at SML are flexible in order to take advantage of opportunities to experience the marine environment and to participate in campus-wide marine science lectures and field opportunities. Depending upon tides and weather, OGM's daily routine often includes early morning collecting trips to the intertidal zone. The program also consists of lectures, laboratory exercises, field trips on the island, and a cruise onboard SML's research vessel, the John M. Kingsbury. Lectures, slideshows, and film presentations are often given after dinner. Academic endeavors take up most of students' days on Appledore Island, but free time around meals is perfect for taking advantage of the island's swimming area, volleyball courts, or library. SML encourages students to interact as much as possible with the entire island community. Three meals are served on the island each day, except Sunday, when schedules are somewhat more relaxed and begin after a mid-morning brunch. One morning or afternoon each week, students join in a general cleaning of the island and its facilities.
Sea Component - SSV Corwith Cramer
Students sail aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer, one of SEA's 134-foot sailing research vessels, on a ten-day oceanographic voyage starting in the waters of the Gulf of Maine, through George's Bank, and into Cape Cod. Working alongside professional scientists, students collect data and conduct marine research which emphasizes the interrelation of the biological, geological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the Gulf of Maine. Working alongside professional mariners, students are introduced to the basics of nautical science as they participate in the routine operation and navigation of the ship. The sea-going component of the OGM program provides the "blue water" portion of the oceanographic study of the Gulf of Maine.
The Academic Program at Sea
While at sea, each student is assigned to a watch group of eight people with whom they rotate throughout the 24-hour schedule. While a student watch group is on duty, each person is assigned to a particular area of the vessel for the duration of the watch period: the lab, the deck, or the galley.
During lab watch, students participate in oceanographic activities led by the professional scientist on duty. Each day they deploy oceanographic instruments at scientific stations to determine characteristics of the water column, the sea floor, and the biological organisms of the area. The students also assist in analyzing all data collected during the cruise. This data may include sea temperature, salinity, chemical nutrients, water depth, plankton samples, sediment samples, and weather observations.
During deck watch, students participate in navigational exercises led by the mate on duty. These exercises include opportunities to maneuver the vessel under sail and power, plot courses, and learn about celestial navigation and near-shore piloting with charts, compass, and radar.
Students' work in the galley includes assisting with menu planning, helping the steward prepare snacks or meals, and keeping the galley clean and sanitized.
The sea component encourages practical application of the knowledge students have acquired while on shore, and is often the most memorable part of the program.
Shipboard Life
Life at sea is fast-paced, as all watch activities continue on a 24-hour basis throughout the oceanographic voyage. In addition to routine watch standing duties that will be a part of each student's experience at sea, lectures are also presented daily. There is always something new to see, to learn, to do.
Accommodations are comfortable, but cozy. The food is excellent and plentiful – three meals plus three snacks each day. At least once during the cruise, students join in a general cleaning of the ship. Everyone has enough free time to make friends with the rest of the crew on board, to keep a journal, to climb aloft, to make music (bringing instruments is encouraged!), and to enjoy sunrises, sunsets and the night sky.