Aquarium science, the study and design of artificial ecosystems serving life-support functions, draws on the physical and life sciences in ways relevant to NASA missions in material systems, ecosystems and life support. Students working in aquarium science must develop skills in diverse fields such as captive ecosystem biology, system engineering and scientific diving to be competitive for entry level position in this area. Such positions at public aquariums and zoos can be very competitive because they offer applicants the opportunity to develop professionally while working with live charismatic animals. This proposal seeks funding to support (1) curriculum development in aquarium life support science, (2) field collecting for aquarium science, (3) and student-initiated research in aquarium animal husbandry science. This project develops hands-on student experiences in physics, chemistry, biology and engineering using the design and critical analysis of contained salt-water ecosystems, that is, aquariums.
Profile
Name: David Scheel, Professor of Marine Biology
Institution: Alaska Pacific University
Award: Higher Education, Project
Funding Period: 2016