Marine biology taught at Baja field station
Glendale Community College is offering two summer courses in Baja California at the college’s field station. GCC has been holding classes in the Baja California peninsula of Mexico since 1974.
Introduction to Marine Biology (Biology 125) paired with the Field/Laboratory Investigations in Marine Biology (Biology 126) and Natural History Field Studies (Biology 131) will be held at the college’s recently completed new field station in July and August. The field station (Estación del Mar Cortés) is in the town of Bahía de los Angeles on the Gulf coast of the Baja California Peninsula. The area is sometimes referred to as the “Galapagos of Mexico” because of its natural beauty and biodiversity. The area contains the Midriff Islands, where students in the program do their field research, and is famous to scientists, educators and fishermen.
The field station itself has classrooms, dorms, a living room, kitchen, showers and restrooms. Students help with daily cleaning and food preparation under the supervision of staff and a cook.
The college-credit courses are open to anyone from high school students to seniors and have no prerequisites. Participants are required to enroll at the college and get a student ID number.
Introduction to Marine Biology and the Field/Lab course meet on the GCC campus first from June 27 to July 6 and then at the field station from July 7 through 21. The paired courses combined are four units and are UC, CSU transferable.
Natural History Field Studies is a two-unit course that involves individual and group investigations of the biological environment and the impact of human activities on it. It is CSU transferable. Students meet at the field station Aug. 4 through 19.
The cost for the biology courses is $785; for the Natural History course, the cost is $795. It includes transportation, lodging at the field station and meals, but excludes registration fees. Limited financial aid is available.
More information on the courses, field station and instructors can be found at www.glendale.edu/baja along with photos and student comments.
SUMMER PLANETARIUM SHOWS ANNOUNCED
The GCC Planetarium will have a summer schedule of “Evening with the Stars” presentations.
“Evening with the Stars” is displayed on the planetarium’s digital dome and takes guests on a fact-filled ride to the stars, constellations and planets. All shows are presented by a live narrator, allowing audience members to ask questions.
Show dates are Fridays, June 17, July 15 and Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. There are two shows at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays June 18, July 16 and Aug. 20.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Only cash or checks are accepted. There is no late seating as the doors must remain closed during the planetarium shows.
Presentations in the planetarium are on a custom-built 30-foot diameter dome. Patrons view the shows from power reclining seats. The all-digital full-dome theater was developed by Sky-Skan with both 2D and 3D digital star fields. The planetarium also features a fully computer-controlled 5.1 surround sound system and automated high-intensity LED lighting.
Free parking is available for public planetarium shows in Circle Drive, located along the front of the Administration Building at 1500 N. Verdugo Road. The planetarium is in the Cimmarusti Science Center building. For more details call (818) 240-1000, Ext. 5275 or go to www.glendale.edu/planetarium.
WENDY GROVE is public information coordinator at Glendale Community College. Her column runs once a month. Reach her at (818) 551-5161 or by e-mail at wgrove@glendale.edu.
