International School of Marine Conservation Science

Offered as a 10-day intensive graduate-level course isMCS provides not only concept and content in the field of marine conservation science, but also facilitates interactions between, and learning among students coming from different countries and geo-political systems of Europe, Americas, Africa, Asia and the Indo-Pacific, providing international contacts as the basis for long-term international collaborative opportunities. If you have an interest in the biological, ecological, environmental, cultural, social, political and economic aspects of Marine Conservation, and aim to make your career in the field of marine conservation science then this class is for you!

The International School of Marine Conservation Science focuses on the multiple aspects of evidence based conservation in marine ecosystems, including the physical, biological, and human dimension components. We seek to identify the linkages between understanding biological systems human impacts and the critical role of social science, education, and politics in conservation planning. isMCS program is comprised of lectures, laboratory exercises, readings and discussions, student projects, guest lectures and field courses in Slovenia, Italy and Croatia

LECTURE TOPICS:

1. Introduction to the Science of Marine Conservation:
Why might the oceans be in trouble? Linking biological and social sciences in marine conservation

2. Marine Biodiversity:
Biodiversity metrics, conservation genetics, functional biodiversity

3. Fisheries biology:
Life history traits, population assessment, linking behavioral ecology and marine conservation.

4. Impact of fisheries on marine species and habitats:
Solutions to fisheries impacts.

5. Population assessment, extinction risk analysis and IUCN Red Listing, management strategy evaluation

6. Marine Spatial Ecology:
Habitats, impacts, marine protected areas, human dimension of marine conservation.

7. Ecosystem based management:
Dynamic marine spatial planning, EBM tools, human dimensions of EBM and transboundary marine conservation.

8. Marine Conservation in practice:
Biological and social values of rescue centers and aquaria.
Adriatic Dolphin Project.
Integrating interdisciplinary knowledge in marine conservation science.

Course leader

Assoc. Prof. Bojan Lazar, PhD, Department of Biodiversity, University of Primorska, Slovenia
Assoc. Prof. Scott Heppell, PhD, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Oregon State University, USA

Target group

Msc and PhD students, postdocs, NGO employees associated with biology, ecology and related subjects.

Course aim

The lack of professionals trained in integrated and interdisciplinary evidence-based conservation has been identified as one of the key problems in the field of marine conservation science. The course aims to enhance education and capacity building in the field of marine conservation by training a new generation of conservation scientists. We seek to identify the link between biological systems, human impacts and the critical role of social science, education, and policy in marine conservation.

Credits info

6 EC
The isMCS is accredited both by US and European credit transfer system:
- applying for credits through University of Primorska: 6 ECTS credits,
- applying for credits through Oregon State University: 5 US credits.

Fee info

EUR 450: For application through the University of Primorska. For more information regarding fees, registration and accreditation, please visit the official webpage of the isMCS
USD 2250: For application through the Oregon State University. For more information regarding fees, registration and accreditation, please visit the official webpage of the isMCS

Scholarships

Two tuition grants provided by the University of Primorska on a competitive basis.