The course includes 90 hours of teaching and is divided into two parts, each consisting of 45 hours of teaching. The first part of the course is an internet teaching programme, while the second part is a practical workshop in species identification. The course is organised by the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Course includes an examination at the end of the course with an IOC Certificate of Proficiency in Identification of Harmful Algae issued to participants who pass the examination.

If there are more applicants than available seats, priority will be given to applicants who have direct research or management responsibilities with regard to the occurrence of harmful algae.

Dates:

Mandatory E-learning part:  Over 4-5 weeks in the period May-July, to be arranged when enough applicants have signed up.

Practical course at University of Copenhagen tentative dates: 18-28 August 2008.

 

Venue:

IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark c/o Danhostel, Hillerød.

 

Content:
Part I - Distant learning: The distant learning programme consists of 8 modules including an introduction to the teaching platform. There is a short introductory text to each module, and at the beginning of this text is given a list of suggested reading, which will usually include selected chapters (supplied as PDF-files on a CD-rom) or paragraphs of the general text book(s) used in the course. All exercises are mandatory. This part of the course includes 45 hours of teaching or a work load of about one working day per week for six weeks.

Part II – Workshop on species identification:  The workshop will focus on identification of harmful algal species, with particular reference to the ‘IOC Taxonomic Reference List on Toxic Plankton Algae’. During the workshop species will be demonstrated either as cultures (*subject to the availability of cultures at the Scandinavian Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa) or as preserved material.