Established in 1999, the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) research consortium conducts large scale, long term, and interdisciplinary research in the nearshore ...California Current Large Marine Ecosystem. A cornerstone of PISCO is the goal to connect scientific progress to the rest of society, including management. One primary objective to meet this goal is the training of students in a unique, interdisciplinary environment. PISCO students gain a comprehensive understanding of coastal ecosystems through integration of ecology, physical oceanography, physiology, biomechanics, population genetics, and marine policy. Since its inception, PISCO scientists have mentored and trained over 300 students (undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral). Upon completion of training in PISCO, students are prepared to and seek work across a wide range of positions including academia, non-profit, and government. PISCO offers three interdisciplinary courses on a biannual basis. Since 1999, PISCO scientists have taught "Biomechanics, Ecological Physiology, and Genetics of Intertidal Communities" at Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station. From disciplines of oceanography, biomechanics, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics, students learn research tools and their ecological applications. Based on the success of this course, PISCO developed two new courses starting in 2005: "Marine Conservation Science and Policy" and "Physical Oceanography and Marine Ecosystems." The conservation course is held at Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center and is targeted to graduate students in marine research. PISCO researchers team up with fisheries science and policy experts to provide students with hands-on, interactive opportunities to learn about the political and legal landscapes involved in marine management, communication of science to a wide audience, and the role of science in various policy issues. "Physical Oceanography and Marine Ecosystems" will be taught by PISCO physical oceanographers at the University of Santa Cruz, California's Long Marine Laboratory and focuses on the basics of coastal physical oceanography necessary for understanding the complex, interdisciplinary nature of marine ecosystems. Information about each of these courses with emphasis on outcomes and challenges of training will be discussed during the presentation.
