Summary

 Since 1993 the IOC has conducted training courses on harmful microalgae. The purpose has been to improve the taxonomic and identification skills of the participants for research purposes and for practical monitoring of harmful algal blooms. 

From 2006 the IOC training in HAB identification has been offered within a new framework which gives accreditation. The present course includes now a practical exam at the end of the course with an IOC Certificate of Proficiency in Identification of Harmful Algae issued to participants who pass the exam. We know by experience that many of the more than 500 trainees we have had over the years have wished the courses to give accreditation, and in some countries, the IOC courses have become a reference for laboratories to be approved for carrying out regulatory monitoring for harmful microalgae. 

The IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, University of Copenhagen, Denmark is organizing the course. 

 IOC Training Course and Identification Qualification in Harmful Marine Microalgae 2025 

Course description: The course includes 100 hours of teaching and is divided into two parts. 1) The first part of the course is an internet teaching programme on the Ocean Teacher platform giving general introductions to the various groups of harmful algae; this part is mainly for self-study and estimated to 40 hours of reading. 2) The second part is a practical course in species identification (see tentative programme below). Part 2 includes 60 hours of teaching and a microscope will be available to each participant during the entire period. 

Dates: Part 1 will be available on the ‘International Oceanographic Data Exchange’ (IODE) teaching platform ‘Ocean Teacher’ from 2 months prior to the practical course; part 2, proposed dates for the practical course, 30 March – 10 April 2025. 

part one : 10 February - 10 March 2025

part two: 30 March -10 April 2025

Venue: IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, c/o Danhostel, Lejrskolevej 4, 3400 Hillerød.