University College Dublin student takes to the Seas in Cork
(Posted: 24 April 2009)
Megan McKerchar studying Zoology at University College Dublin was one of twelve third level students who recently (18 – 19 April 2009) experienced life as a marine scientist onboard the national Research Vessel Celtic Voyager in Cork harbour as part of the Marine Institute’s Science@Sea two-day training programme.
Dr. Pauhla McGrane who is responsible for co-ordinating the Marine Institute’s Integrated Marine Exploration Programme explains “third level students throughout Ireland are given an opportunity to work with experienced marine scientists getting practical hands on experience as part of the Science@Sea training in the areas of oceanography, benthic biology, marine geophysics and fisheries science. After an intense first day of training in safety procedures, sampling techniques, equipment deployment and data collection, students are then assigned the task of designing and planning their own survey at sea on day two”.
Dr McGrane further adds “Science@Sea ship-based training is a unique experience for all students who are planning a career in marine sciences. This is the fourth undergraduate programme to be run this year in which up to two hundred students applied for a position on board the RV Celtic Voyager. The experience not only supports courses run by the universities but it also provides students with an insight into the different career paths available in marine science”.
Megan McKerchar congratulated the Marine Institute on its Science@Sea training programme and said it had been “a great opportunity to get onboard the national research vessel to see how the different science disciplines work together and it was a real insight into learning how the theory can be applied”.
Funded by the government’s national Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation with contributing funds from the Higher Education Authority the two-day practical ship-based Science@Sea programme is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology who recognise the training as contributing towards the continuous professional development of marine scientists. On completion of the programme students receive a certificate. Further information on programmes run by the Marine Institute’s Integrated Marine Exploration Programme is available at www.marine.ie.
