Marine conditions of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands present perfect possibilities to study marine mammals on site. At the GAIAS field station at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on the Galapagos Islands where several baleen whales and dolphin species can be found just off San Cristobal, students can learn how to identify a variety of the 33 species occurring in Ecuadorian waters. Galapagos sea lions are famous for their tameness and actually have their largest colonies on the beaches of San Cristobal where GAIAS is involved in an ongoing sea lion monitoring and conservation program.

The continental coast of Ecuador is one of the main breeding areas for the south eastern pacific humpback whale population and at the tropical coast of Esmeraldas humpback whales NAZCA/ USFQ is carrying out a longterm monitoring project on the dynamics, behaviour and habitat use of these animals.

A great deal of the Marine Mammals course will take place in the field with daily lectures and lab work where students receive an in depth insight in Marine Mammal evolution, biology, and behaviour. A general introduction into Oceanography and marine ecology will give the base line to understand the marine environment of marine mammals. Animal physiology and ecology are applied and deepened on marine mammals as an example group with their special adaptations on the life in aquatic environments. Throughout the course, students will participate in ongoing research and conservation projects both in Galapagos and Esmeraldas where they can directly apply their knowledge and carry out personal research projects.