OCB 2313 - Dolphin Studies and Field Experience: Advanced Marine Mammal Training and Enrichment II

Institution:

College of the Florida Keys

Subject:

OCB - Biological Oceanography

Description:

The class delves more deeply into the fields of behavioral science, animal care and training. The course allows students to build on the knowledge they acquired during the Marine Mammal Care & Basic Training and begin focusing on training new behaviors, exploring animal enrichment and contemplating more complex issues surrounding marine mammal care. Students will implement a training plan they have developed to train a new behavior to a dolphin. Public speaking skills will also be developed as students learn how to present dolphins and their training experiences to the public. At the conclusion of the course, students will showcase the new behaviors they have trained for Dolphin Research Center guests in a formal, narrated presentation. Students will also explore animal enrichment through directed activities implemented with our dolphins and sea lions. Under the guidance of our staff, students will create enrichment toys and activities for the animals and present these activities and toys to the animals throughout the week and observe the animals' reactions. In order to better understand training differences between species and the need for flexibility in advanced training techniques, students will also apply their knowledge of training principles by teaching a new behavior to a canine Dolphin Lab participant. Each student will individually develop a training plan for the behavior to be trained, participate daily in regularly scheduled sessions with his/her canine partner, and demonstrate progress to DRC staff at the end of the week.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.fkcc.edu

Phone Number:

(305) 296-9081

Regional Accreditation:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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