Summer course in embryology of marine invertebrates

Embryology of Invertebrates, White Sea Biological Station, 04 – 20 of July 2010

The White Sea Biological station (WSBS) of the Moscow State University offers 2.5 week long intensive summer course in embryology of marine invertebrates.

wsbs-presentation.pdf  2.79 MB
WSBS presentation

Instructors Nataliya Budaeva¹, Vladimir V. Malakhov², Igor Kosevitch² and Maria Semenova³
Invited lecturers Svetlana Maslakova⁴, George von Dassow⁴, Stefano Piraino⁵

1. Laboratory of Ocean Benthic Fauna, P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
2. Dept. of Invertebrate Zoology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia
3. Dept. of Embryology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia
4. Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon, USA
5. Laboratory of Zoology and Marine Biology, University of Salento, Italy

Location
The White Sea Biological Station is located on the wild and scenic coast of Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea (66° 34' N, 33° 08' E). It is a remote and isolated University settlement accessible only by boat from the nearest village Poyakonda. Poyakonda is connected to major cities by train: 21 hours from St. Petersburg, and 36 hours from Moscow.
 
Course description
This course will provide extensive laboratory experience observing embryonic and larval development in a large diversity of marine invertebrates. Students will participate in several field trips to collect adult animals, and learn to obtain gametes, fertilize eggs, and maintain live cultures of marine embryos and larvae in the laboratory. Lectures will examine development in major invertebrate phyla in an evolutionary context. Different types of cleavage, gastrulation, larval morphology and metamorphosis will be discussed. Students are expected to observe as many different developmental stages of various invertebrates as possible, and to maintain a notebook of drawings.

Student costs

Tuition
The course tuition is 500 USD, however, it may be partially or fully covered by the WSBS, for students facing financial constraints.

Room&Board
WSBS provides dormitory accommodation for students enrolled in classes (rooms for 4–6 people). Price per person per day is about 7 USD. A full-board meal plan is obligatory for all persons living in dormitories. Full-board consists of three meals a day and costs about 7 USD per day. Vegetarian options are not available, however fruits and vegetables may be ordered trough the local dining hall service.

Medical insurance
All students enrolled in the class are required to have personal medical insurance including medical evacuation coverage.

Travel from Moscow to Poyakonda:
Train, second class round trip fare: approximately 270–300 USD
Boat transfer from Poyakonda to the WSBS is free of charge for all course participants.

Visa
International students are required to have entry visas for travel to the Russian Federation. Russian entry visas must be obtained from a Russian Embassy or Consulate in student’s country of residence. All supportive material will be sent upon acceptance to the course.

Please note that prices may vary slightly depending on the USD/RUR exchange rate. All payments must be done in Russian roubles (RUR).

Financial aid
Students facing financial difficulties may apply for financial support from WSBS. Financial aid may include full or partial waiver of tuition, and room fees. At this time we are unable to assist with transportation costs to Poyakonda.

Application process

Applications are invited primarily from graduate students. However, exceptionally qualified undergraduate students, as well as recent postgraduates (post-docs), may also apply. The course will be taught in English. No formal test results are required (such as TOEFL), however, all applicants are expected to have good English language skills.

Each applicant must submit:

1. Cover page with personal data (please download from this web page, complete, save and return as a MS Excel file);
2. A one-page personal statement, describing how this course will help advance applicant's educational goals and career;
3. Transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable);
4. Curriculum Vitae (please, do not include reprints);
5. One letter of support from the person most familiar with applicant's work. Letter of support may be sent directly from the referee's e-mail address. Alternatively, a signed letter may be scanned and sent electronically by the applicant;
6. Statement of financial need, if applying for support from the WSBS.

Complete applications should be sent electronically to the following e-mail address: nbudaeva@wsbs-msu.ru with the following subject line: “Embryology of invertebrates + your last name”. Applications will be acknowledged once they have been processed.

WSBS_Embryo_cover_page_new.xls  24.5 KB
WSBS Embryo

Maximum 8 students.

Application deadline: January 31, 2010
Acceptance announcement: March 1, 2010

For additional information contact Nataliya Budaeva (nbudaeva@wsbs-msu.ru)

Embryo_logo1.cdr  25.07 KB
Logo in CDR

+7 (815) 33-64-516