This is a reply for anyone wishing to know more about graduate studies with the Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute. I accept graduate students who wish to pursue a doctoral degree in either Oceanography (College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences) or Fisheries and Wildlife (College of Agriculture). The two curricula are quite different-check the University's general catalog for details. Which of the programs is most appropriate for you will depend on what you wish to do when you complete your degree. Past students have studied such diverse topics as gray whale energetics, pinniped feeding habits, marine mammal/fisheries competition, reproductive physiology, cetacean behavior, acoustics, and diving habits.

Approximately 100 students apply for entry into the OSU Marine Mammal Institute every year. I prefer to have no more than three graduate students at one time. I am looking for exceptional students, which does not necessarily mean straight A's. A good letter of intent, experience, and good recommendations (especially in the marine mammal field) are important.

OSU offers some very good courses in a variety of departments. Most of my students minor in statistics and find courses in Fisheries and Wildlife, Computer Science, Forestry, Oceanography, and Zoology of value and interest to their program. I believe students should be well versed in an identifiable discipline (e.g. anatomy, behavior, physiology, genetics), which makes them broadly qualified for more job opportunities upon graduation.

The Hatfield Marine Science Center does not have a certified facility to hold pinnipeds or cetaceans. All experimentation, observation, and study of pinnipeds or cetaceans will be field work.

Graduate students often create research opportunities by developing their own proposals, and I help them find funds to carry out their own work if it is practical. On some occasions, students can develop portions of on-going projects for thesis research. Few marine mammal projects which involve field work can be accomplished without formal funding, and federal budgets and priorities vary from year to year-which means that funds are sometimes difficult to find, even for the most interesting projects, and especially for the first year. Therefore, one of the ways in which I evaluate students applying for graduate work is to look for students who have an advanced concept of what they want to do, and then determine whether I think we can find funds to get the work done. The three most important components of a successful application are:

1. a good scientific question;
2. an awareness of the background literature; and
3. an approach which seems both feasible and
   fundable.

My own research interests have included studies of foraging habits of pinnipeds, the distribution of animals following release from either captivity or translocations, hauling habits of pinnipeds, breeding behavior, and migration. I have used VHF and satellite-monitored radio tags to track many marine mammals. We have recently release our first GPS tags. I have dabbled with acoustic harassment techniques to keep seals away from fishermen's gear and aquaculture ventures. Recently, I have concentrated on tracking the movements of whales and dolphins with satellite-monitored radio tags. I am currently interested in further development of the satellite-monitored radio tags to monitor diving, migration, and feeding. I hope these will correlate with environmental variables to explain why certain areas are critical habitats, how whales find their preferred prey, and how they migrate.

Merely tagging animals and writing up where they go is not Ph.D.-worthy, so for tracking projects I look for applicants who are skilled at using habitat assessment tools, such as interpretation of GIS or satellite imagery.

My work is 25 percent Oregon Sea Grant Extension activities, and 75 percent research. I am often immersed in situations which take me away from the office for extended periods, so I look for students who are self-motivated and can carry on a research protocol largely on their own. This is important. I am available for guidance when I am in Oregon, as are members of each student's committee, but I am not a person who will be with you every day and walk you through every step of the way. Committees are chosen to give broader support in the student's areas of interest. Students usually spend a year on campus doing course work and then move to Newport, where they get more research experience within the marine mammal group.

Please include a letter of intent with your application, giving an overview of your preferred research area and career goals. Money for research and scholarships is a limiting factor in the opportunities we can offer at OSU. I wish there were enough openings for all of the talented students who apply, but there are not. May you find success in your academic development and career, whether it is at OSU or another university. I hope you find the right program to meet your needs.

Sincerely,

Bruce R. Mate,
Ph.D. Professor, Fisheries and Wildlife