Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation of Antillean Manatees, Bottlenose
Dolphins & Hawksbill Turtles in the Belize Barrier Reef Lagoon
System: A Unique Experiential Learning Field Course in Belize,
Central America
Dates: 30 July – 12 August 2011 (inclusive of travel)
Website: http://sirenian.org/2011FieldCourse.html
PI & Co-PI: Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D.(1, 2) & Katie S. LaCommare,
Ph.D.(1, 3, 4)
Visiting Scientist: Heather J. Kalb, Ph.D. (5)
Location: Drowned Cayes, Belize, Host: Hugh Parkey's Belize Adventure
Lodge http://belizeadventurelodge.com (passport required) + secondary
field site TBA
Want to learn more about Marine Biology? Interested in Marine Mammals,
Animal Behavior, Ecology, or Conservation Biology? Join our research
team for two intense weeks of total immersion into the world of animal
behavior, ecology & conservation, Antillean manatees, bottlenose
dolphins, coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds in Belize!
Course Overview: This is a total immersion, experiential learning
field course where you will live, work, and study from a marine
science field station on a pristine, private island within the Belize
Barrier Reef Lagoon System. Data collected during the course will
contribute to our long-term manatee & dolphin research project
established in 1998. You will learn through a variety of learning
activities, literature review and discussion, independent and team
projects, and actual field research. Be prepared to rise with the sun
and spend 8-10 hours outdoors, including 3-4 hours on the water each
day learning about the tropical Caribbean environment as we explore a
maze of mangrove islands, seagrass beds, coral patches, and the Belize
Barrier Reef. Extra-curricular activities are included: (1) diving or
snorkeling at Turneffe Atoll, and (2) exploring an ancient Maya City.
Additional, optional SCUBA dives are available as time and weather
permits, but additional costs are involved. Note: You do not need to
have your SCUBA certification to enroll in this course.
Optional Credit Hours: The course provides 100 experiential learning
and lecture hours in the field, plus approximately 35 hours of pre-
field reading, research, and preparation; approximately 50 of the 135
total hours include direct instruction by faculty. This is comparable
to a 3 credit hour university course and meets the US DOE criteria in
34 CFR, SS600.2. You must make arrangements IN ADVANCE with BOTH your
advising faculty and Dr. Self-Sullivan for credit to be earned through
your home university. Credit hour fees must be paid directly to your
school and you must fulfill any study abroad requirements of your
school. This course is divided into 4 major components: lectures and
learning activities (~1 hour per day), independent reading and
assignments (~2 hour per day), data collection in the field (~3 hours
per day), project development & implementation (~2 hours per day),
presentation of pre-field research (~1 hour per day), and debate/group
discussion of reading materials (~1 hour per day).
Deadlines: Early registration & and deposit due May 1st, 2011; regular
registration & deposit due June 1st, 2011; balance due July 1st, 2011.
Late registration (after July 1st--if space available) incurs a $100
late fee.
Minimum/Maximum Class Size: 8-24 students
Costs: $2995 includes all expenses for lodging, meals, field trips,
ground & water transfer fees, research & materials fees; DOES NOT
include airfare, books, restaurant/bar/dive/tour tips, or credit hour
fees. Up to two (2) $500 Scholarships are available for students from
low-income countries. Recruit a Friend! Email car...@sirenian.org or
call 540.287.8207 to learn about registration discounts for groups of
two (2) or more students!
Deadlines: Regular Registration & $500 Deposit Due 1 June 2011;
Balance Due 1 July 2011
Registration Form: http://sirenian.org/2011BelizeRegistration.pdf
Detailed Syllabus: http://sirenian.org/2011BelizeSyllabus.pdf
Policy & Liability Form: http://sirenian.org/2011BelizePolicy.pdf
Recruit a Friend Flyer: http://sirenian.org/2011BelizeFlyer.pdf
Download a Complete Field Expedition Briefing (9MB):
http://sirenian.org/2011BelizeBriefing.pdf
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contact Dr. C: Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D. at car...@sirenian.org or
540.287.8207
Visit our Facebook Event Page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=370432825564
Faculty Affiliations:
1. Sirenian International, 200 Stonewall Drive, Fredericksburg, VA
22401
2. Nova Southeastern University, Fischler School of Education,
Oceanographic Center, North Miami, Florida
3. University of Massachusetts-Boston, Department of Biology
4. Lansing Community College, Lansing, Michigan
5. West Liberty University, Department of Biology, Wheeling, West
Virginia
Posted by:
Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D.
Consultant: Animal Behavior & Conservation
Primary Email: car...@sirenian.org
Mailing Address: 200 Stonewall Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22401-2110
Mobile: 540.287.8207 | Fax: 888.371.4998
Adjunct Faculty, Nova Southeastern University
NSU Email: cs1...@nova.edu
http://www.fischlerschool.nova.edu/
http://www.nova.edu/ocean/
President & Co-founder, Sirenian International, Inc.
http://sirenian.org/caryn.html
Join me in Belize this summer!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=370432825564
http://www.sirenian.org/2011FieldCourse.html
