Summer 2003

Introduction

The PATOMAC extended seminar consists of a 10-day program, which will be repeated three times during Summer 2003: in June, July, and August. Each program will consist of 7 days of land-based discussions in various aspects of oceanographic data acquisition and analysis, together with a 3-day research cruise. Due to vessel space limitations, each seminar will be limited to six-seven participants. We will take the registration information you send to us and attempt to maximize participation within our logistical constraints.

Objective

There are two goals to this program:

  1. To familiarize technical experts in Latin America and the Caribbean with the latest and most advanced methods and equipment used in ocean research that are needed to fulfill requirements for such governmental requirements as carrying out environmental impact studies.

  2. To familiarize oceanographic research associates and technicians in the use of the specific types of equipment purchased by this program. This program will serve as a "license" whereby these individuals can gain access to the equipment in this equipment pool for their own work.

Seminar Outline

Seminars will be presented by technical experts at the University of Miami and associated institutions (such as NOAA), or by team leaders from corporations (e.g. SeaBird) that are providing the equipment.

The following outline provides the general framework for the individual seminars. Note that the research cruise on the R/V F.G. Walton Smith occupies days five, six and seven of the program. The "AM" and "PM" seminar modules consist of four-hour sessions with a 30-minute break. One hour is available for lunch.

10 DAY PROGRAM

(For each Seminar)

Day 1

AM
Introduction to Basic Instrumentation
PM
Familiarization with SeaBird SB19+ Conductivity/Temperature/Depth (CTD) Self-contained Profiler. Basic Sensors.

Day 2

AM
CTD Familiarization (Cont.) SB19 Biological Sensors (Transmissivity, Oxygen, Turbidity, Fluorometry (Chlorophyll). Data formats and Storage.
PM
Bottle Sampling and Analysis of Nutrients (Phosphate, Nitrate, etc).

Day 3

AM
Current measurements. Drifters (to be deployed during cruise). Satellite Acquisition of Drifter Data. Current Meters and Moorings. Shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP).
PM
Remote Sensing Data. Data Analysis. Methodology and Availability. Specific Data Types (Sea Surface Temperature, Ocean Color).

Day 4

AM
Biological Sampling. Surface and Subsurface. Net Samples. Multiple Opening and Closing Nets (MOCNESS).
PM
Shipboard Survey Equipment. Bathymetry. Portable Depth Sounding/Bottom Characterization. GPS. TSG. ADCP.

Day 5

Cruise

Day 6

Cruise

Day 7

Cruise

Day 8

AM
Data Analysis. Editing. Presentation (Matlab and other "time savers").
PM
Data Analysis and Presentation (Cont.). Error Requirements.

Day 9

AM
Data Analysis and Presentation Methods (Cont.). Legal considerations.
PM
Data Analysis and Presentation Methods (Cont.)

Day 10

AM
Data Analysis and Presentation Methods (Cont.). Period for Interaction, Unanswered Questions, etc.
PM
Interaction and Wrap-Up.

Seminar and Cruise Dates

  1. Seminar A May 30 - June 8, 2003
    CRUISE A June 3 - 5, 2003

  2. Seminar B June 27 - July 6, 2003
    CRUISE B July 1 - 3, 2003

  3. Seminar C July 27 - August 5, 2003
    CRUISE C July 31 - August 2, 2003

Lodging

We plan to have participants stay at the "Extended Stay America" suites. These are multiple occupancy suites located near the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. They are also conveniently located to nearby stores and restaurants, as well as being within walking distance of downtown Miami. Each suite has an efficiency kitchen attached, so food could be purchased nearby and prepared "on site". Rooms also have computer hook-ups, so communication via computer can be established with the laboratory.

Current rates (subject to change) are Double-Double Room: US$79.00/night+13% tax and Queen Room US$74.00/night+12% tax. The Double-Double can have a maximum of four people (i.e. the minimum cost per person would be $19.75/night+13% tax. The Queen Room can have a maximum of two people (i.e. the minimum cost per person would be $37.00/night+13% tax). Clearly it is not possible to calculate exact rates at this time since we do not yet know the make-up of each group of participants (and how friendly each group wants to be!). (For example, a single female would need separate quarters). We will pool the charges so that the cheapest and fairest rate will be born equally.

Visa

Participants are responsible for obtaining their own visas. We are told by investigators at ESPOL in Ecuador that a tourist visa is adequate.

Insurance

For purposes of the cruise, participants are required to purchase liability insurance. This normally can be handled in the participant's home country.

Language

The seminars will be taught either in English or Spanish depending of the request of the participants.

Text

Texts and materials will be provided at no charge.

Evaluation

Participants will be evaluated to receive their certificates. Evaluation of the seminar content and suggestions will similarly be encouraged.

Certification

A certificate of will be given to each participant who succesfully completes the course. The agency or instution to which the participant belongs will also be notified.

Cost

The seminar fee is US$1,000. Provision has been made to request a partial waiver of the fee. This will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Application and Registration Form

New Registration Deadline: March 15, 2003

Name:__________________________Signature:______________________________
Institution:___________________________________________________________
Phone:_________________________________________________________________
E-mail:________________________________________________________________
Date of Seminar sequence(s) preferred (i.e. A, B, and/or C) ___________
Passport (Country, Date and Place of Issue, Country):__________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Request for consideration of partial fee waiver: (YES ______, NO______):
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Note:  In case more applications are received than can be accommodated, PATOMAC presenters will select 
participants.  Final selection will be communicated on March 3, 2003.


Please respond by Fax to (305) 361-4696 or by E-mail to maldana@rsmas.miami.edu.  If you have any questions, 
please contact Mrs. Maria-Lourdes Aldana at (305) 361-4038.

Thanks for your time and we hope to see you soon!