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Dr Winston Ponder
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Dr Don Colgan
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Assoc Prof Andy Davis
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Dr Mandy Reid
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A Course About Molluscs
University of Wollongong
5th December to 16th December 2011
Overview
This twelve-day residential intensive course at the University of Wollongong with staff from the Australian Museum offers the most comprehensive course on molluscs available. The course offers current information on the second largest animal phylum. Using lectures, practicals and field excursions it will explore each of the major groups and will include details of their: Biology, Diversity, Conservation, Classification and Relationships and Importance to humans.
1. The University of Wollongong is situated in the city of Wollongong only a little over an hour South of Sydney.
2. The Australian Museum, Sydney, is the largest natural history museum in Australia.
Advances in Molluscan Biology
This intensive course offers current information on the 2nd largest animal phylum. Using lectures, practicals and field excursions it will explore each of the major groups and will include details of their:
Biology - including their enormously diverse reproductive and feeding habits.
Diversity - in form and biology; as well as in numbers of species - for example, over 3000 species have been found in a small area of coral reef. There are more named species of marine molluscs than any other group of organisms in the sea.
Conservation - there are more recently-extinct molluscs than mammals and birds combined.
Classification and Relationships - including the latest developments resulting from molecular studies.
Importance to humans - aquaculture, pests, disease carriers, ornaments, bioresources.
Sea Slug - Dolabrifera brazeri and spawn: most molluscs in south eastern Australia lay egg masses beneath boulders.
The course will also include:
Practicals - learn how to study molluscs from the experts, including dissection skills and how to identify and observe them |
Field studies and observations - in marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats. Includes a weekend excursion to the NSW South Coast. |
The course is being run in partnership with the Australian Museum and will be taught by leading experts in the field including Dr Winston Ponder – Australian Marine Science Association Silver Jubilee Awardee 2008, and Clarke Medal recipient, Dr Mandy Reid and Dr Don Colgan (Australian Museum)
This 300 level (8 credit point) course is available to undergraduate students, but postgraduate (see below) and non-award students are also welcome to apply. Numbers are strictly limited.
Cost
| Australian undergraduate and postgraduate students | HECS only |
| Overseas undergraduate and postgraduate students (includes accommodation and all student fees) | $3,900 |
| Non-award students (enrolling via Australian Museum) | $1,950 |
| Accommodation at catered residential college: | $300/week (approximately) |
To Enroll
Contact: Assoc. Prof. Andy Davis for an application form or download the PDF Application Form
Additional Information including background information, how to apply, specific course details, the timetable and possible accommodation is also available in the Additional Information PDF
Non-award students should contact Dr Winston Ponder at the Australian Museum for additional details.
Testimonials
Don't take our word for it - responses of students that have previously enrolled in this subject....
"Lectures were very well presented with excellent content" and "up-to-date and authoritive"
"I really liked the level of detail given regarding molluscs and their biology"
"Very good, knowledgeable staff providing a valuable learning experience"
"I would definitely recommend this course to anyone with an interest in the group or wanting to learn about it"
Postgraduate Scholarships
