Bio-Waves Passive Acoustic Technician training course, Feb 2014

[Julie Oswald <>]

Bio-Waves, Inc. is pleased to announce that registration (www.bio-waves.com/education)  is now open for our Passive Acoustic Technician training course scheduled to occur Monday, February 10^th through Friday February 14^th, 2014.  This 4.5 day course combines lectures covering concepts,  theory and methods with hands-on demonstrations and computer training.  The aim of the course is to give participants a working knowledge of passive acoustic hardware,  software and methods used to monitor marine mammals.  The training course will familiarize individuals with passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) equipment and best practices, as well as offer instruction for troubleshooting and field repairs.  We will teach the basic skills required to prepare individuals for work as passive acoustic field and post processing technicians.  It will be held at the San Diego Supercomputer Center on the University of California, San Diego campus in La Jolla, California.

The training course will include the following:

·         An introduction to the physics of underwater sound (lectures)

·         An introduction to marine mammal acoustics (lectures)

·         An introduction to PAM hardware such as hydrophones, sonobuoys and autonomous recorders (lectures and demo)

·         Instruction on the design, setup, troubleshooting and repair of towed hydrophone array systems (Demo and hands-on training)

·         Training in software used to detect, localize, and classify sounds produced by marine mammals (lectures, computer laboratory work and demos)

·         Training in software used to review and post-process acoustic data (lectures and computer laboratory work)

·         Lectures on the role of passive acoustic methods in mitigation and marine mammal monitoring

·         Lectures on best practices for effective acoustic data collection and management

·         Guest lectures from subject area experts (e.g., scientists from local research institutes such as UCSD’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography presenting current research projects)

At the conclusion of the course, participants will have gained a working knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of passive acoustic system design, operations, and maintenance.  They will have had hands-on experience with a variety of software programs commonly used during real-time field operations and for data review and analysis.  Additionally, participants will have performed specific tasks (e.g. repairing cables, troubleshooting acoustic systems etc.), and will receive a set of materials for reference in the field. 

For those participants that are interested, we are pleased to offer course credit for the training course through the University of California, San Diego's Extension Program.  Four quarter units are available to those who are interested via a separate UCSD application and fees.  

To register or obtain more information about the course please visit (www.bio-waves.com/education).  A $300 non-refundable deposit towards $1,450 total fee will be required to secure your position in the course, and a minimum number of participants must be registered by Wednesday, January 8th, 2014 (deposits will be refunded if the minimum is not met prior to this date and we will notify all registrants).  Limited space is available at a discounted rate for groups or graduate students; discounts are available on a first come, first serve basis.  Please contact m("bio-waves.net","education");"> with any questions.  We look forward to seeing you this coming winter!

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"If you have the desire for knowledge and the power to give it physical _expression_, go out and explore"

           -Apsley Cherry-Garrard