MEDIA CONTACT: Cara C. Perry
772-873-3339, ccarlton@fau.edu

FAU Marine Biology Classes at Harbor Branch

FORT PIERCE, FL (August 9, 2004) - Florida Atlantic University students may now sign up for marine science courses offered this fall at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI). The courses offered through this unique partnership are accredited by FAU and take advantage of Harbor Branch's distinctive resources and staff.

The Fall 2004 schedule includes an undergraduate course titled "Biology of Marine Invertebrates." In addition, two graduate courses will be offered, "Marine Invertebrate Biology" and "Natural History of the Indian River Lagoon," a course taught over four weekends from August 27- November 14.

Enrolled FAU students can register for these courses by following normal registration procedures. Non-FAU students should register at FAU's Treasure Coast campus in Port St. Lucie. For more information on registration, call the campus Student Services Office at 772-873-3301. Housing is available during the weekends that "Natural History of the Indian River Lagoon" is taught. Students interested in housing should contact the HBOI Division of Marine Education at 772-465-2400, ext. 500.

Harbor Branch is internationally known for its ship and submersible operations and research in marine science, biomedical marine research, aquaculture and ocean engineering. Harbor Branch borders the Indian River Lagoon, an estuary with the highest diversity in the United States. The lagoon's proximity facilitates activities such as seining, sieving, snorkeling and boat trips that provide students exposure to a variety of local and coastal habitats, including sea grass meadows, mangrove forests, salt marshes, intertidal mudflats, sandy shores, beach communities and near shore reefs.

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