SMS 450: Observing marine ecosystems: A field course in measurement and instrumentation

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

February 14, 2021 SBS Course Descriptions

This five day, field-intensive course will be offered in multiple sections: once in June 2021 and three times in Sept. and Oct. 2021.

This one-credit course offers hands-on instruction in instruments and methods for measuring biological and physical variables associated with observing change in marine ecosystems. Students will arrive on Monday morning for course orientation, then commence intensive training in the collection of water and plankton samples at sea, sediment collection and analysis, operation of the University’s CTD-Rosette system, sondes and held held sensors, and processing of samples for nutrients, eDNA, bacteria, chlorophyll a and zooplankton biomass. Student also will participate in a research cruise on the R/V Ira C to stations located in the Damariscotta Estuary and off the Maine coast as a contribution to time-series observing for the Gulf of Maine Marine Biodiversity Observation Network. The remainder of the week will be devoted to sample processing and an introduction to identification of living marine phytoplankton and zooplankton. Lectures will introduce students to local, national and international marine ecosystem observing programs. The course will be taught by a member of the SMS faculty and two technical research staff.

Note that the course is capped at 10 students, has a required room and board fee (as residence at the DMC is required for participation). Early registration is strongly encouraged.