MBQ Spring 2006
MBQ 2006 - Moorea, Tahiti
Instructors: Rick Vance , Dave Jacobs , Peggy Fong
Marine Biology Quarter Spring 2006
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE MARCH 16
The Marine Biology Quarter (MBQ) is a quarter-long program designed to introduce advanced undergraduates to field study of marine organisms and ecosystems. The MBQ is an intense and focused learning and research experience. After an initial introduction to the region and its biota, you will be taught the skills to ask biological questions in the field, collect data, analyze the data, and write up your results in a formal term paper. Most participants describe the MBQ as the highlight of their UCLA education.
THE UPCOMING MBQ WILL BE LOCATED IN MOOREA, FRENCH POLYNESIA
MBQ Features and Requirements:
* Consists of 16 upper division units of coursework, EE Biol 102, 164, and 123, which will collectively cover most of the nearshore macrobiota of the region
* Most beneficial to students with some prior training in field and/or marine biology
* Graduation requirement for Marine Biology majors, fulfills the field quarter requirement for Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution (EBE) majors, and counts as upper division electives in categories 4 and/or 5 for Biology majors
* Enforced prerequisites: LS1 and EE Biol C109. Recommended: Stats 13
* Must have valid passport no later than the time of acceptance to the program
* Preference is given to students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
* Preference is given to Marine Biology Majors and other students in the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department
* Students in other departments are welcome to apply
Snorkeling/Scuba Diving: Snorkeling is required. Scuba diving is strongly recommended. Accreditation for scuba diving requires a level of training higher than most commercial dive courses provide, and it must be obtained through the UCLA Diving Safety Officer. Information about training programs will be provided at the time students are accepted into the MBQ.
Application Process: Application forms will available in the Undergraduate Office, 2325 Life Sciences, beginning March 2, 2005. Applications must be submitted to the Undergraduate Office by 4:00 pm on March 16, 2005. Interviews with the faculty will be scheduled for early in the week of March 21 (winter quarter finals week). Admissions decisions will be made shortly thereafter. A non-refundable deposit of 0 to confirm your participation will be due upon your acceptance into the MBQ.
Cost: We plan to keep the cost of this field quarter as low as possible. We expect to keep the student contribution to no more than about 3,800 (not including personal supplies needed for the trip, e.g., clothes, luggage, flashlight, notebooks). At present we are applying for an instructional improvement grant that may reduce this cost somewhat. To participate, you must pay normal UCLA tuition along with the cost of the MBQ. Please contact the Financial Aid Office, A129J Murphy Hall, 206-0400, to find out if your aid can cover these costs. Scholarship information is available at the Scholarship Resource Center, 233 Covel Commons, 206-2875.
Timeline: The MBQ will convene on campus for the first two weeks and then reconvene in Moorea for the remainder of the quarter. If you wish to remain in French Polynesia after the MBQ ends, you must communicate your exact travel plan to the undergraduate advising office by April 01, 2005 so that the counselors can purchase your airline tickets early enough to get a good price.