Orientation

Arriving at the first location, the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, the first weeks of the program are devoted to ensuring the scholars are settled, connected, and confident in their new home. Activities include social events, expectation-setting, health and safety training, campus tours and orientation activities.

Oceanography

All core oceanography content and research in the field are delivered by the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland with field excursions to their observing facilities and ship time on various research vessels within their fleet. This content is delivered through a “boot-camp” style instruction and is intensive between October and December.

• Core Oceanography
  Scholars are introduced to the physical principles that create oceanographic processes and to provide an integrated view of the whole field of oceanography. A theoretical introduction to the equipment used in ocean research is provided. Key areas of study within this course include Introduction to Oceanography; Physical Properties of the Ocean; Chemical Properties of the Ocean; Biological Properties of the Ocean; Atmospheric Effects; Currents; Waves; Tides.
• Applied Oceanography
  This content examines the application of technology in oceanographic activities like scientific exploration, hydrography, and ocean observation. Scholars gain a basic understanding of both physical oceanography and nautical science. Marine acoustic, geophysical and operational technologies are also addressed. Continual emphasis is placed on safety and responsibility in marine environments.
• Field Course in Ocean Mapping
  The nature and context of this content provides the scholars with an immersive experience through the practical application of all the theoretical components and practical skillsets within a real-world context. Scholars demonstrate, evaluate and assess the complete plan-to-chart workflow through surveying planning, mobilization and sensor integration, field deployment, data acquisition, data processing, data analysis, data management and product dissemination.‍
• Training at Sea
  After completion of introductory technical and safety training, scholars embark onboard a research vessel to apply their newly acquired hands-on knowledge, test their skills, and collect samples. Opportunities for research lab visits and experiences in diverse sampling environments are available to the scholars.

Specialized Oceanography Topics

Specialized ocean observation topics are delivered by the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland between January and April.

• Ocean Observation
  This content introduces the scholars to the purpose, operation, data analysis, and maintenance of a range of meteorological and oceanographic instruments. Scholars learn the physical principles used in meteorological and oceanographic instrumentation. This includes cruise planning; data gathering at sea using moored, towed, and casted instruments; siting and configuration of surface instruments; remote and directly read instruments; the physical principles and the limitations of instruments used to make upper-air measurements; and laboratory exercises involving preliminary data analysis and presentation.

• Remote Sensing
  The scholars gain a background in ocean remote sensing practices and applications. The content is taught using modern equipment and methodologies, allowing the scholars to better understand the uses of remote sensing in the extraction of marine/oceanic parameters. It combines both theoretical and practical methods to reach the major objectives of the program.

Ocean Data Management

This content is delivered across locations and through various formats, bringing in experts from the Marine Institute, Dalhousie, DeepSense, POGO, and CIOOS, and supported by the Ocean Frontier Institute.

• Ocean Data Literacy
  Pulling from expertise across institutions and CIOOS Atlantic, this topic introduces the scholars to finding, using and citing ocean data; documenting and depositing ocean data in a public repository; tools and supports for managing ocean data internally; managing protected and private data; cybersecurity; and effective communication of data. Additional topics may be introduced.
• Data Analytics
  To support a better understanding of the value and opportunity of data, this portion of the program aims to leverage data explored during previous modules. Topics include the cleaning, processing and interpretation of acoustic data, bathymetric data, AIS/GIS data, and social media text data (relevant to the ocean) to understand the broad range of analysis, interpretation, and visualizations across data types. With a combination of data from fieldwork and other datasets, scholars may participate in a short hackathon, fostering idea generation and innovative data applications. Where possible, scholars will engage with industry partners of to explore industry applications of ocean data.

Modelling & Coding

This content is delivered across locations, bringing in experts from the Marine Institute, Dalhousie University, ACENET, and other curriculum partners, and supported by the Ocean Frontier Institute.

• Discover Coding
  The course is intended for learners from science disciplines who have no previous experience with a programming language. Scholars are taught the basics of coding using Python and R, popular languages used in science and data science. The focus is on learning the fundamentals of the coding language and programming logic and using the programming language for data science, including reading data; manipulating/processing data (e.g., extracting specific data, splitting data according to variables, applying functions, combining data); continuation of data analysis; and basic statistical analyses of data sets.
• Data Modelling
  Following coding principles, participants are exposed to a breadth of modelling exercises, ranging from theoretical models to complex machine learning. A critical component of this content is the understanding that complex models are not always superior. The ability to interpret and explain models and predictions are of the greatest value in ocean data.

Beyond the Lab

These topics take the scholars beyond the science and prepare them to talk about it for impact. This content is taught across locations and by various organizations, providing diverse insight.

• Science Communication
  Through a two-day workshop, the scholars learn the theoretical aspects of science communication. Scholars are trained in different aspects of communication specific to their interests, including blog writing, social media, media training and videography. This supports the science communication deliverable for the scholar’s independent learning project and presents significant opportunities for networking and mentorship.
• Presentation Skills Training
  Scholars are trained on the development and execution of an effective presentation for a wide variety of audiences, including academics, industry, government, and the public, with the opportunity to practice across locations and throughout the program.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  Tapping into the strong innovation ecosystem in Halifax, this section provides scholars with theoretical and hands-on opportunities to explore how design thinking and innovation can lead to science or technology-based solutions for real world problems. Scholars have opportunities to interact with innovators and entrepreneurs within the region. The section may also include an ocean data challenge where the scholars are presented with a real-world issue related to the program themes and come up with a solution, with the opportunity to pitch their solutions to a panel of external judges, helping them build on their presentation and communication skills and grow their network.
• English Proficiency Skills
  Throughout the program, scholars build on the foundation for academic success in oceanography studies via development of academic literacies and language skills. Scholars develop the ability to use academic English flexibly, in spoken and written modes, according to the norms of the language practices in the field of oceanography.
• Immersive Learning Experience at the Hakai Institute
  The scholars are immersed in learning and the environment at the Quadra Island Ecological Observatory, building on the knowledge developed in the program and accompanying Hakai oceanographers on their field sampling. The scholars participate in a variety of activities at the observatory, including the real-time monitoring of ocean CO2, DNA sequencing, plankton tows, and fjords observations.

Ocean and the Social Sciences

These topics touch on additional disciplines and perspectives and are delivered by the Ocean Frontier Institute and the International Ocean Institute-Canada in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

• Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training
  Across locations and institutions, the  program provides learning opportunities that delve into First Nations, Inuit, and Métis histories and stories across Canada, and partially meets the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action for Canadians to receive ‘cultural competency training’ by teaching about “the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. Additionally, scholars learn about and from Indigenous groups at the three locations visited during the program.
• Ocean Governance
  Policy, Law and Management: Adapted from a highly successful training program that has run for over 30 years, this course explores key issues in three core areas of ocean governance -- Law of the Sea, State of the Ocean, and Fisheries, Aquaculture and Food Security -- through a combination of lectures, discussions, videos and readings. Lecturers from NGOs and government are brought in to ensure scholars obtain a holistic understanding of ocean governance from a wide range of perspectives.