The course objective is to introduce the flora, phylogeography, and vegetation history of the Arctic and, through practical fieldwork, to provide an understanding of plant adaptations to the arctic environment, plant distribution and dispersal, and plant community differentiation.

The course will begin with one week of lectures and seminars at UNIS combined with short excursions around Longyearbyen. The second and main part of the course will be devoted to practical studies. During a cruise on the M/S Stockholm students will visit different bioclimatic zones in Svalbard, from the most species-rich places to the polar desert.

Students will work on specific projects and produce scientific reports to be published in an internal publication series. The course is also relevant for PhD and Masters students focusing on alpine flora.

Full application information is available at: http://www.unis.no/studies/

Applications must be submitted by Thursday, 1 March 2007.

For further information, please contact:
Inger Greve Alsos
E-mail: inger.alsos@unis.no