We support research in physical ecology, hydrodynamics, animal behavior, plant and animal ecology, molecular biology, comparative fish physiology, neurophysiology, developmental biology, and aquaculture.
BMSC has two laboratories specifically designed for breeding and rearing stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus complex), a powerful system for studying the molecular basis of evolutionary change in among natural populations. Our wet labs consist of two rooms supplied with flow-through seawater and de-chlorinated fresh water, and various sized aquaria to house brood stock and conduct replicated experiments.
These labs are currently in use, having been funded by research grants to Dr. Sean Rogers (UCalgary) and Dr. Dan Bolnick (U Texas at Austin).
The Whale Lab is the main classroom and laboratory facility for our field trip and workshop participants. This education laboratory houses flow-through sea water tanks, a touch tank so students may observe and handle living marine organisms, a specialized jelly-fish tank, a collection of marine mammal skeletons, and equipment such as microscopes, video conferencing technology, and extra rain gear.
The Eco-physiology Laboratory consists of five laboratories and adjoining aquaria with flow-through seawater and dry lab space also support neurophysiology, animal physiology, and molecular biology research.
Three laboratories in the Eco-physiology building are designated for isotope use, certified by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) as 813-designated laboratories and equipped with a LS6500 liquid scintillation counter (for alpha and beta emitters only). This facility also houses an Atomic Absorbtion Spectrometer (femtomolar accuracy for measurement of Cl, K, Na, etc), -80˚F freezer, autoclave and various other equipment (see the Resources Database for details).
The Fluid Dynamics Laboratory is a CFI funded facility housing a 12 meter flume chamber, a swim tunnel, a laser-induced fluorescence system for studying flow dynamics, a stickleback breeding laboratory (University of Calgary), wet labs, and a preparation rooms.
This facility has been used by university students to study hydrodynamics of seaweeds and fishes, and research conducted here includes the hydrodynamics of underwater turbine systems (University of Washington) and barnacle feeding (University of Alberta).
The ‘Main Building’ houses administrative and library services, and most of the university course activities are carried out here. Education facilities include laboratories with flow-through seawater tanks, a computer room, a chemical lab, and labs designed for the marine microbiology and field archaeology courses.
The Rix Centre for Ocean Discoveries is a stand-out landmark on Canada’s west coast and the site of our Conference Centre. This striking facility, with its scalloped roof, combines flexible meeting space with an awe-inspiring ocean view. This building also houses research facilities, including an Environmental Integrity Lab with high-quality seawater; a Biotechnology Lab to support molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry and physiology; a Digital Imaging Facility with a confocal laser scanning microscope, a compound microscope with differential interference contrast optics, and other microscopes for larger specimens; two analytical equipment labs, a computer lab and office space.