Aquatic Wildlife Health Issues (Spring)

Course Information

Aquatic Wildlife Health Issues is an online course designed to introduce students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) to the natural history, anatomy, physiology, behavior, and common health issues of aquatic wildlife such as: whales and dolphins, seals and sea lions, manatees, sea turtles, crocodilians, fish and invertebrates. Students will practice scientific writing skills with a term paper requirement.

Course Syllabus 2025

Course Objectives

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  • Students will become familiar in identifying healthy and unhealthy characteristics of the species covered through on-line reading material for each learning module and lectures through MediaSite
  • Opportunities for discussion and student interaction of topics will occur on electronic message board
  • Homework assignments will reinforce establishing a baseline of information on marine mammals, sea turtles, crocodilians, fish and invertebrates.
  • Students will enhance their writing skills through a term paper requirement:
    • Graduate students are expected to write a grant proposal and then review assigned proposals.
    • Undergraduate students are asked to write a 5 page review paper on an aquatic related topic and review assigned proposals.

Course Topics

  • Manatees: Natural History, Anatomy, Physiology, Behavior, Senses, Genetics, Metabolism & Thermoregulation, Care & Health Issues
  • Pinnipeds: Natural History, Anatomy, Physiology, Behavior and Health Issues
  • Crocodilians: Natural History, Anatomy, Physiology, Behavior and Health
  • Sea Turtles: Natural History, Anatomy, Physiology, Behavior and Diseases
  • Invertebrates: Taxonomy, Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Ecology
  • Fish: Taxonomy, Anatomy, Physiology and Diseases
  • Amphibians: Natural History, Health and Conservation
  • Conservation Issues
  • Mortality & Management: Cetaceans and Manatee
  • Cetaceans: Natural History, Anatomy, Physiology, Behavior, Large Whales, Conservation, Mortality
  • Regulations, Permits, & Management: Manatees & Cetaceans, Health Assessments and Rehabilitation, UMEs
  • Research and Techniques: Necropsy, Molecular Techniques, Field Techniques
Sea lion nursing

Registration Information

How to Register

There are multiple ways to register for each course. Please review the Non-UF Student, Continuing Education and UF Student descriptions below in order to decide which method is most appropriate for you. You may also want to review our FAQ page or Contact Us to help differentiate between these options.

Student Enrollment Options:

Please note steps for application depend on current education level and University of Florida affiliation. Please see below for details to determine your application steps.

UF Students:

Course Number: VME4013

Undergraduate: UF Student

Students must be a junior or senior and/or have completed pre-requisites(see syllabus). Students should register through Student Self Service (SOC) or Dept. Coordinator. Section is listed in SOC. UF tuition and fee rates apply.

Non-UF Students:

COurse Number: VME4013

Undergraduate: Non-UF Student

Applicants must be a junior or senior and/or have completed pre-requisites(see syllabus). Interested applicants must first apply as a non-degree student. If admitted, additional instructions for registration will be provided. Cost: $325/credit plus fees

Course Number: VME6011

Graduate: Non-UF Student

Interested applicants must first apply as a non-degree student. If admitted, additional instructions for registration will be provided. Cost: $550/credit plus fees

Course Number: VME4013

Continuing Education

Applicants interested in Continuing Education needing credit for professional licensure or for professional/personal development must first apply as a graduate non-degree student. If admitted, additional instructions for registration will be provided.

Students must additionally contact Dr Larkin (ivlarkin@ufl.edu) and request to audit the course to receive their CE certificate. Cost: $550/credit plus fees.

Registration Deadline

Note: This class has limited enrollment and may fill up prior to the end of drop/add so we suggest registering early.

Spring 2025

Registration Opens October 23, 2024
Application Deadline November 29, 2024 (considered until Jan 13, 2024)
Registration Closes January 17, 2025
Classes Begin January 13, 2025
Cancel with FULL Refund January 17, 2025
Tuition Deadline January 24, 2025 (3:30 pm EST)
Classes End April 23, 2025

For More Information:

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