Education
Students perform fieldwork at UCSC.
The Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) offers students a unique opportunity to obtain cross-disciplinary training in the marine sciences and ecology. The four universities participating in PISCO provide educational programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels under the guidance of leading scientists from diverse fields in ocean science.
Graduate Courses
PISCO provides three intensive graduate-level courses that immerse students in interdisciplinary science and ocean policy. Through a mix of classroom, field, and lab experiences, students learn the latest concepts and approaches from leading experts in interdisciplinary marine research.
Biomechanics, Ecological Physiology and Genetics of Intertidal Communities. Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University. This month-long course is taught by PISCO scientists Mark Denny, Steve Palumbi, and George Somero. Students gain the conceptual background and skills to study environmental stresses in the ocean, physiological and molecular responses, and genetic variability. (Offered 2007, 2009)
Physical Oceanography and Marine Ecosystems 23 June-12 July, 2008. Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz. PISCO scientists Margaret McManus, Jack Barth, and Libe Washburn teach this intensive three-week course. Lectures, fieldwork, and computer laboratory sessions explore the critical role of oceanographic processes in the ecology of coastal waters. (Offered 2006, 2008).
Marine Conservation Science and Policy . Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University. PISCO scientists Jane Lubchenco and Steve Gaines teach the course with experts in marine policy. The two-week course engages students in hands-on, interactive learning about the political and legal aspects of marine management, the role of science in marine policy, and the communication of science to wider audiences.
In addition, each PISCO PI has several graduate students working under their guidance each year. These students work along side PISCO scientists on the questions and problems that PISCO is working to address on the coastal oceans of the California Current. A list of graduate students with links to additional information is available in our Directory. To obtain information about graduate studies with PISCO, send a request to pisco@piscoweb.org.
Undergraduate Study
PISCO involves undergraduates in its research through internships, honors projects and other study and work experiences. Please contact the appropriate person at the campus of interest to you:
Oregon State University: contact Jerod Sapp at sappj@science.oregonstate.edu
UC Santa Cruz: contact Emily Saarman at emily@biology.ucsc.edu
UC Santa Barbara: contact Carol Blanchette at blanchette@lifesci.ucsb.edu
Stanford University: contact Mark Walker at walkermw@stanford.edu
Post-Doctoral
Post-doctoral researchers play a critical role in PISCO and are typically involved in all levels of science, policy and organizational development. Post-doctoral researchers work alongside PISCO scientists on the large-scale science questions being addressed by PISCO as well as working on their own individual projects. A list of post-docs working with PISCO and descriptions of their projects is available via our Directory. Post-doctoral positions are frequently posted on the PISCO website, under the Jobs at PISCO section.