Graduate/Professional Training: Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation
Front Royal, Virginia, USA
The Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, a partnership between George Mason University and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), offers a range of intensive, residential short courses hosted in our sustainably-built Academic Center on the grounds of SCBI in Front Royal, Virginia, USA. All courses offer continuing education credits (CEUs) and some can be taken for graduate credit as well. Visit our website (http://SMConservation.gmu.edu) for more details about course content, course costs, and credits earned.
Applications can be completed using our online application system, found on the course webpage. Email us at SCBItraining@si.edu if any questions remain.
MCCS 0525: Non-Invasive Techniques and Applications in Wildlife Endocrinology
July 23 – August 3, 2018
The purpose of this course, taught by the experts at the National Zoo’s Endocrinology Laboratory, is to provide theoretical information and practical experience in using endocrine monitoring techniques for assessing reproductive status and welfare in wildlife species, both in captive and wild scenarios. Lectures will cover aspects of basic biology, theory of immunoassay methodology, reproductive endocrinology and stress physiology, and examples of data obtained from in-situ and ex situ studies of wildlife species. Extensive lab work will include demonstrations and hands-on experience in sample (urine and feces) processing and analysis using enzyme immunoassay technology. Computer lab sessions will include basic and advanced data analysis techniques. Participants will also work on independent group projects where they will apply what they have learned and complete a full lab analysis and data interpretation themselves. A comprehensive endocrine training manual will be provided to course participants. Those already enrolled in a graduate program (at any university) can gain 3 graduate credits for this course (additional costs apply for those not residing in VA).
May 7 – May 11, 2018
Roughly 20 out of the more than 200 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos in the United States employing full time nutritionists, there exists a critical shortage of nutrition expertise at the vast majority of facilities within AZA. Similar institutions outside the US face the same challenges. Many of these institutions care for hundreds and in some cases thousands of different species, all with specific dietary needs that may even vary across seasons and reproductive conditions. Making nutritional decisions for a wide range of species from around the world, and overseeing the daily management of food purchase, storage and preparation is a complex and demanding task which must often be performed with little targeted training. However, the long-term sustainability of an animal collection, and the successful reproduction of breeding animals relies heavily on proper nutrition.
Because of the complexities and extensive experiential learning involved in the profession, this course is not designed “to create a zoo nutritionist in 5 days.” Rather, it will assist interested individuals in gaining knowledge and hands-on experience within one of the oldest zoo nutrition programs in the US. It is designed such that participants will develop an appreciation for a wide variety of topics within the field of zoo and wildlife nutrition, as well as some of the nuances of managing a commissary (food procurement and preparation) operation to support a zoo. This course will be taught by the Head of the Department of Nutrition Science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park (NZP), Mike Maslanka. He will be joined by members of his staff at NZP as well as other professional zoo nutritionists from AZA facilities and appropriate wildlife professionals. These instructors represent some of the most experienced zoo nutritionists, commissary managers, and researchers in the field of zoo and wildlife nutrition.