Course: Smithsonian.WildlifeConservation.Jun1-7

Graduate and Professional Course

Non-Invasive Techniques in Wildlife Conservation

June 1-7, 2013

Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

At the Smithsonian Institute, Front Royal, VA,

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 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 ,

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/ 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: http://SMconservation.gmu.edu
* 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)

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