|
You are here: Home > Professional Training > Population Management I |
Population Management I: Data Acquisition and Processing
This course is full. Wait list applications are being accepted.
- October 27 - November 1, 2008
- $700 for AZA Individual Members and $800 for Non-members [join AZA]
Types of credit available
Please Note:
Checks sent for course payment will be cashed immediately upon receipt as per standard business practices. Cashing your check does not indicate that you have been accepted into a course. You will receive an acceptance letter or waitlist letter once acceptance decisions are made.
Please see the note below regarding special acceptance priorities for this course. If you have any questions about your acceptance status, please email us at .
Registration
Registration is now open for October 2008 Population Management I courses.
Please note that your application will be processed according to the category you fall into. Acceptance Category 1 is highest priority and Category 6 is lowest priority.
Acceptance Priority Categories
2008 applicants who are AZA TAG/WCMC approved studbook keepers must complete the course by 11/08 (to meet WCMC expectations) and apply after October 12th, 2007 but before March 14th, 2008
2008 applicants who are AZA TAG/WCMC approved studbook keepers and apply after October 12th, 2007 but before March 14th, 2008
2008 applicants who are NOT AZA TAG/WCMC approved studbook keepers and apply after October 12th, 2007 but before March 14th, 2008
2008 applicants who are AZA TAG/WCMC approved studbook keepers must complete the course by 11/08 (to meet WCMC expectations) and apply after March 15th, 2008
2008 applicants who are AZA TAG/WCMC approved studbook keepers and apply after March 15th, 2008
2008 applicants who are NOT AZA TAG/WCMC approved studbook keepers and apply after March 15th, 2008
If you are in category 2 or 3 you can expect to hear of your acceptance or waitlist status at the end of March. If you are in category 4 through 6 you can expect to be on the waitlist.
Please Note: For Population Management I only - do not send payment until you are officially accepted into this course.
Please check the status of your studbook before applying! You'll find a list of official AZA TAG/WCMC approved studbook keepers. in the Conservations Programs Database. If you are not listed as an official studbook keeper and believe this is an error please contact , 301-562-0777, ext. 245, Program Assistant, Conservation and Science.
Download the Registration Form (in PDF) Please note that you can use Adobe Acrobat Reader to type your responses directly into this form, print, and return by mail or fax. You may also print the form, write in your information and return by mail or fax. Each course has a registration form specific for that course. Please DO NOT send payment until you receive notification that you are accepted into one of the courses.Travel and Accommodations
For information on travel and lodging, please see the Professional Training in Wheeling page.
Objective
Teaches critical skills needed to create a population database for a single zoo or aquarium population. Students learn to adapt to changing software as well as unique data entry situations. Students also summarize the data in the studbook database and calculate basic life history parameters. Produces an aquarium or zoo professional who can gather raw data and turn it into a good, documented studbook to provide expertise on biology and history of the captive population/species.
Target Audience
Current and prospective studbook keepers. Applicants must submit an institutional letter of support. Course includes day classes and evening project work until 10 p.m.
Sample List of Course Instructors
Louise Bier
Population Biologist
AZA Population Management Center
Joe Christman
Curator/Mammals
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Chris Pfefferkorn
Zoological Curator
Oregon Zoo
Kristine Schad
Studbook Analyst
AZA Population Management Center
Kevin Willis
Biological Programs Director
Minnesota Zoological Garden
Course Topics
Studbooks and their role in zoo and aquarium based conservation:
Definition, role, scope and history of studbooks;
Building and publishing a studbook;
Applying to become an AZA WCMC approved studbook keeper;
Is a studbook a population management tool?
Scientific Disciplines for analyzing and using studbook data:
Taxonomy - definitions of species and how taxonomy affects keeping a studbook.
Genetics - basic genetics from DNA to Mendel to inbreeding to population management.
Demography - definition of terms used and development of demographic descriptions of populations.
Course Exercises:
This topic forms the core of the course and involves multiple exercises in building a studbook. It is a combination of lectures and hands on exercises in use of the Data Entry and Data Quality and Reports modules of SPARKS 1.4. Instructors will be on hand during the exercises to answer questions.
Course Schedule
(subject to change)
© Copyright 2008 Association of Zoos and Aquariums. All Rights Reserved.