Lake Baikal Summer School of Sciences 2015

 

Lake Baikal Summer School of Sciences 

 

 

International summer school

"Lake Baikal as a model system for the study of global environmental trends"

AUGUST 01 – 14, 2015

 

WHERE?

The summer school course on the topic of "Lake Baikal as a model system for the study of global environmental trends" will be held on the terrain of the Baikal Biological Research Station (view location at the google.maps). It was founded in 1916 and is among others one of the oldest academic institutions in Eastern Siberia and the only riparian scientific station on Lake Baikal.

 

      

Since 2007, regular international summer schools and scientific workshops have taken place on the premises of the Biological Research Station. Participants have been students, graduate students and scientists from Germany, Italy, the U.S., France, Switzerland and Russia. Along with excellent infrastructure including accommodations, seminar- and conference rooms, research laboratory and a scientific research vessel, the research station also offers the opportunity to stay on and get to know the unique Lake Baikal - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

    

WHAT?

The Summer School course "Lake Baikal as a model system for the study of global environmental trends" aims at imparting professional skills in the field of ecology. The program includes three main topics: ecology of aquatic organisms, plant ecology and soil ecology. Lectures, seminars and exercises with top-ranking Russian scientists take place in each subject area. Each participant will have the opportunity to reinforce theoretic knowledge in projects and workshops covering one of the three fields.

The results obtained during the summer school will be described and discussed later.

 

TOPICS of the Summer School:

·         Disasters - natural and anthropogenic

·         The Baikal ecosystem: structure and function

·         The biodiversity of Baikal Lake and its importance for evolutionary biology

·         Long-term changes in climate and vegetation of Baikal region according to data of scientific depth drilling

·         Genesis and evolution of parasitic systems in Lake Baikal

·         Lake Baikal and its amphipods fauna as a "model system" to study evolution and diversity of stress-adaptation mechanisms

·         Functional diversity and evolution of adaptation of palearctical invertebrates and those in Baikal Lake on proteomic level

·         Soil resources of Lake Baikal

·         Terrestrial ecosystems of Baikal region

 

EXCURSIONS during the Summer School:

·         Visit of the Baikal Museum in Listvyanka

·         Excursion on Baikal Lake with scientific research vessel

·         Walking-tour to Cape Kadilnij

·         Visit of the Pribaikalskij National Park

·         Visit of the city's history museum Irkutsk or alternatively a guided tour of Irkutsk city 

 

WHY?

By participating in the Summer School you get the opportunity to become intensely familiar with the specifics of the unique terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem of Lake Baikal. You will become familiar with numerous endemic (relict) species and new research findings, as well as with the basic aims of nature conservation. In addition, you will gain more knowledge about data acquisition and accurate identification and analysis of research subjects. Modern scientific working methods along with intensive study of subject areas help you to form deep insight into the specific ecology of Lake Baikal.

Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to learn the Russian language. Basic and advanced language courses are offered. 

Last but not least, after completion of the summer school you will receive a certificate documenting the knowledge and skills you have acquired.

 

Participation in the scientific educational program of the Baikal Summer School of Science is an excellent chance for you to acquire further knowledge of ecology, promote international exchange, learn the Russian language and moreover to be on the shore of the deepest lake in the world.

 

Duration: 01.08. - 14.08.2015

Target group: Students and postgraduates

Language: English (Knowledge of Russian language is not required)

Registration: You can register for the Summer School.To do this, please fill out the application form (please send us an e-mail to order it) and send us a short motivation letter (not more than one page), CV, transcript/list of marks of your university. We also need a copy of your international passport for visa invitation.

 

 

IMPORTANT!

After confirmation (up until 31 May 2015) students from German universities have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship from the DAAD

as part of the Go East program!  

 

 

The deadline for DAAD applications is 31 May 2015.

You can find more information here: https://goeast.daad.de/