University Marine Biological Station Millport
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Undergraduate teaching at UMBSM
UMBSM caters for by far the most students of marine biology (1100–1300 per year) of any higher education institute in the UK. All of the undergraduates taught here are registered for degrees at other institutions, mainly in England, Scotland and Wales, but also elsewhere in Europe. Some universities with their own coastal facilities prefer to come to Millport, because of the superior range of habitats, richness of fauna and flora, and facilities. UMBSM is a 'centre of excellence' where "the best field marine biological teaching in the UK takes place" (Williamson Report).
The Station runs fourteen-day courses for students from the Universities of London and Glasgow, which are also open to suitably-qualified students from other higher education institutions. These courses consist of lectures, demonstrations, practical work (including shore collecting, laboratory sessions and boat trips) films and discussions.
Marine Biology (MB1)
March/April and August/September
This course is designed for undergraduates with some knowledge of invertebrate zoology. It provides an introduction to the physical and chemical characteristics of the marine environment together with main ecological factors involved and their influences. The course includes studies on the inter-relationships among marine organisms as shown by local intertidal plants and animals, macrobenthos, meiobenthos and plankton. This includes discussions on behaviour, distribution, adaptations and seasonal factors.
The spring course caters for students of the University of Glasgow, while the autumn course is attended mainly by students of the University of London, but is also open to other suitable candidates.
Marine Microbiology (MB2)
August
This course is intended to provide a coherent introduction to marine micro-organisms (including the microscopic algae, bacteria, protozoa, fungi and viruses) with emphasis on their numbers, types, distribution, ecological interactions and economic importance. The course covers sampling and culture techniques, productivity, grazing, decomposer functions, elemental cycles of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, infectious diseases and immunology of marine vertebrates and invertebrates, and pollution of coastal waters.
Marine Station staff also run a Tropical Marine Biology field course for University of Glasgow undergraduates reading Zoology or Aquatic Bioscience.
Further details of all courses may be obtained from Mrs June Thomson june.thomson@millport.gla.ac.uk