Graduate and Professional Course
Non-Invasive Genetic Techniques in Wildlife Conservation
June 1-7, 2013
Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation
At the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, USA
Visit http://SMconservation.gmu.edu or contact
SCBItraining@si.edu for more information.
This course is an introduction for graduate students and professionals
to the applications, benefits, and drawbacks of non-invasive genetic
techniques to wildlife conservation. The course will concentrate on the
use of non-invasive techniques to answer questions in animal behavior,
population biology, and population management, with a particular
focus on the conservation of mammalian populations. Participants gain
hands-on experience with all stages of a research project utilizing
modern non-invasive methods by working with expert researchers through
a combination of field, laboratory and computer-based modules.
Throughout the course participants work through a directed research
project, progressing from study design through field data collection,
sampling protocols, and DNA extraction and amplification, to analysis of
microsatellite and sequence data using the most effective and accessible
software packages. The course focuses on relatedness, population size
estimation and population dynamics; additional lectures address genotype
reliability, research applications for ancient DNA, and applications of
next-generation pyrosequencing.
Many of these groundbreaking non-invasive genetic techniques were
initially developed at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and its Center
for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics (CCEG). Course instructors
include scientists from CCEG (Drs. Jesus Maldonado and Rob Fleischer)
and George Mason University (Dr. Christine Bozarth) and several expert
visiting instructors including Drs. Mike Schwartz, Elizabeth Archie, and
Lori Eggert. While most instruction takes place in Front Royal at the
newly opened facilities of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation,
the course also includes laboratory work at the National Zoo’s new
state-of-the-art genetics lab in Washington, DC.
The total course fee, which includes instruction and course materials,
food, shared lodging, and transport to/from Washington-Dulles
International Airport (IAD) is $2,142. All other travel costs and
incidental expenses are the participant’s responsibility. Participants
earn Continuing Education Units; graduate course credit (2) is available
for qualified applicants through George Mason University at an additional
fee. Participants should have previously completed a college-level
genetics and basic ecology/evolution course. For first consideration,
apply before February 23, 2013. This course has been full during all
previous offerings, so you are encouraged to apply early.
Additional Upcoming Courses:
For more information on each of these, see:Â http://SMconservation.gmu.edu
* Statistics for Ecology and Conservation Biology (March 4-15, 2013)
* Estimating Animal Abundance and Occupancy (April 1-12, 2013)
* Species Monitoring & Conservation: Terrestrial Mammals (April 29-May 10, 2013)
* Species Monitoring & Conservation: Reptiles (May 13-24, 2013)
* Adaptive Management for Conservation Success (June 10-21, 2013)