Further improvement of the skills of the participants in i) identification and ii) enumeration/culturing of harmful microalgae. Content: The course includes 90 hours of teaching and is divided into two parts, each consisting of 45 hours of teaching. The first part of the course is an internet teaching programme, while the second part is a practical workshop in species identification. If there are more applicants than available seats, priority will be given to applicants who have direct research or management responsibilities with regard to the occurrence of harmful algae. The workshops will consist of: 1. Counting techniques, statistics, comparison and interpretation of data, and data presentation. 2. Practical exercises in isolation techniques and maintenace of cultures. Deadline for applications: 1 April 2016.

Content: Part I - Distant learning: The distant learning programme consists of 8 modules including an introduction to the teaching platform. The distant learning is offered in the IOC OceanTeacher platform. There is a short introductory text to each module, and at the beginning of this text is given a list of suggested reading, which will usually include selected articles or chapters of general text books. All exercises are mandatory. This part of the course includes 45 hours of teaching or a work load of about one working day per week for six weeks. Part II – Practical course on species identification: The course will focus on identification of harmful algal species, with particular reference to the ‘IOC Taxonomic Reference List on Toxic Plankton Algae’. During the course, the following species will be demonstrated either as cultures (*subject to the availability of cultures at the Scandinavian Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa) or as preserved material. Focus will be on light microscopy. All participants will be urged to bring material for the Course.See preliminary programme. Haptophyceae*: Chrysochromulina spp. Prymnesium spp. Raphidophyceae*: Chattonella antiqua, C. subsalsa, Fibrocapsa japonica, Haramonas dimorpha, Heterosigma akashiwo, Olisthodiscus luteus. Dinophyceae: Prorocentrum concavum*, P. cordatum, P. emarginatum*, P. gracile, P. lima, P. micans, P. rhathymum. Dinophysis acuta, D. acuminata, D. caudata, D. fortii, D. miles, D. mitra, D. norvegica, D. rotundata, D. tripos. Alexandrium affine, A. minutum, A. catenella*, A. ostenfeldii, A. pseudogonyaulax, A. tamarense, A. taylori, Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum, Lingulodinium polyedrum, Protoceratium reticulatum, Gonyaulax spinifera, Gambierdiscus toxicus, Coolia monotis, Ostreopsis spp. Akashiwo sanguinea*, Amphidinium carterii*, A. operculatum*, Gymnodinium catenatum*, G. impudicum*, Karenia mikimotoi*, K. selliformis*, Karlodinium micrum*, Noctiluca scintillans. Bacillariophyceae: Pseudo-nitzschia australis, P. calliantha*, P. delicatissima, P. fraudulenta, P. multiseries, P. pungens*, P. seriata, Nitzschia navis-varingica*. Cyanobacteria: Anabaena spp, Anabaenopsis spp, Aphanizomenon sp., Cylindrospermopsis spp., Microcystis spp, Nodularia spumigena, Trichodesmium sp. All participants will be urged to bring material/samples. Level: The Course is aimed at participants who have some background and experience in identifying microalgae. Participants: Up to 16. Language: The Course will be held in the English language. Qualification by examination: Examination will take place on the last day of the training course.