Strategic Marine Alliance for Research & Training (SMART) Bespoke Training Proposals and Supports SMARTSkills 2014 Workshop Wednesday 27 th August 2014 Marine Institute, Oranmore, Galway Pauhla McGrane, John Boyd Strategic Marine Alliance for Research & Training Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology 1 National Research Vessel-based Training in Ireland Student training on Research Vessels since 1986. In 2008 MI and HEA developed pilot prog to coordinate use of national infrastructure for training and increase national capacity, skills and expertise. In 2011 SMART established as partnership programme of HEIs (AIT, GMIT, NUIG, UCC, UU), MI & HEA Pools existing facilities, expertise and infrastructure to develop and deliver efficient, effective, accredited, bespoke training programmes. 250 to 300 marine-related undergraduate and postgraduate students trained annually. Unique investment Internationally 1
Training Logistics In general courses: Use RV Celtic Voyager as training platform. Are comprised of day trips to accommodate up to students. Carried out in Cork to facilitate accreditation and reduce downtime. Multidisciplinary in nature Minimum of 2 days in length Include cross-disciplinary training in: Equipment and instrumentation Sampling techniques Sample processing and storage Data collection Data input and basic processing Safety at sea Survey design and planning 3 Developing & Applying for Research Vessel-based Training All HEIs across island of Ireland eligible to apply. Interested parties should contact SMART in first instance for development Applications independently evaluated using the following criteria: Nature of the training programme, including multi-disciplinarity; Number of students (undergraduates and postgraduates); Utilisation of the data acquired during the training for undergraduate projects or research programmes Experience of the chief scientist; and Benefits, learning outcomes, impact and contribution of the programme to marine education and research, Impact on research capability building in Ireland. 4 2
National & International Training Programmes 2014 5 National Training: Science@Sea CPD Training Aim: Multidisciplinary skills necessary to conduct offshore research. Target: Undergraduates, Postgraduates & Professionals-350 trained to date. Content: Multidisciplinary marine science course in benthic ecology, oceanography Sample collection and processing, Operation of equipment and instruments Data acquisition and processing Survey design and planning Accredited: Recognised by ImarEST as CPD 3
Multidisciplinary Offshore Operations in Marine Science: A Common Blended Learning Module Aim: Skills required to design & conduct multidisciplinary marine science research survey. Target: Undergrad (UCC, NUIG, UU) & MSc (NUIG SEMRU ), MEng (AIT MECI) Content: Multidisciplinary covering oceanography, geosciences, fisheries biology and benthic. Accredited: 5 ECTS at level 8 Teaching: 120 hours (labs, lectures, ship based) Delivery: Spring and Winter over 24 days-120 students Assessment: Survey Report Offshore Geological Exploration and Seabed Mapping Module Aim: Practical skills and expertise in mapping and appraising the seabed and sub-seabed geology. Target: UCC MSc Exploration Field Geology Content: Seabed mapping techniques and practice; Sediment sampling techniques; Sub-seabed imaging; Offshore survey planning; Offshore geological data collection, Evaluation and resource assessment. Accreditation: 5 ECTS at Level 9 4
Applied Marine Biological Sampling & Data Collection Module Aim: Skills required to design sampling campaigns and collect samples and data at sea as observers/mmos. Target: Postgraduates & CPD Professionals. Content: Impacts of commercial fisheries incl. catch, bycatch and discards. Marine mammal ID, surveying & PAM. Seabird ID and census. Accredited: 5 ECTS at level 9 Teaching: 120 hours (40 contact, 80 online) Days at Sea: 2 days CV, 2 days CM for 22 students ISGEI SmartOcean Moorings, Sensors & Biofouling Course Aim: Skills involved in the operation, deployment and maintenance of sensors, sensor platforms and autonomous marine monitoring systems Target: ISGEI Graduate Prog. IRCSET PhDs Content: Biological, chemical, acoustic and visual sensing Communications and telemetry, Calibration and data validation. Site assessment, local hydrography Deployment and recovery Delivery: Pilot March 2013 for 10 students over 2 days Accreditation: Pilot. SmartBay prog in development. 5
HMRC and CIT Ocean Energy Course Aim: Skills required to analyse hydrodynamics & morphodynamics of coastal systems for site selection of Renewable Energy Device. Target: Postgraduates & Postdocs (MEng Sustainable Energy) Content: Vessel operations & capabilities; Site assessment and mapping; Geotechnical investigations; Oceanography and hydrography Policy, legislation and understanding EIA and EIS; Days at Sea: 12 students over 2 days. SMART-AWI Atlantic Summer School Collaboration ongoing with Alfred Wegner Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Germany. 2014 -Will focus on cold water carbonate (CWC) ecosystems in Belgica Mound Province Five days of research at sea onboard the RV Celtic Explorer in 11-17th Sept 2014 Advanced training for 14 Postgraduate students from across Ireland and Germany. 2015 Trans-meridional Atlantic transect from Bremerhaven to Cape Town. 6
Trans National Access - TNA C. Explorer Towards an alliance of European research fleets L Atalante + Nautile Dom Carlos I v Explora Polarstern Marion Dufresne Towards an alliance of European research fleets WP7 Training & Floating Universities Practical onboard training courses for postgrads 2014 New technologies for oceanographic research (RV Heinke, Estonia) Multidisciplinary research (RV Urania, Italy). 2015 Floating University focused on fisheries research (RV Dana, Denmark) BioDias Croatia Geology and oceanography 7
Training through Research Surveys Scheme (TTRS) SMARTSkills 2013, Marine Institute, Galway Focused on Access to Marine Data and Research Funding for postgraduate students 25 national and International expert speakers and 30 student presentations. Over 100 attendees. 8
Feedback on Training Supports Required Question: What training supports are required for effectively planning and carrying out a research survey? Vessel familiarisation? Overview of on-board equipment and capabilities? Specific Software? Specific items of instrumentation? Data download and processing? Chartwork and practical planning? Mentoring? To be continued at break out session... The Strategic Marine Alliance for Research and Training is funded collaboratively through the following Partner Institutions. Ship-time is funded under the Sea Change strategy with the support of the Marine Institute and the Marine Research Sub-programme of the National Development Plan 2007 2013. 18 9