Ecology, Behavior & Conservation of Marine Mammals, A Unique Field
Course in the Drowned Cayes, Belize
DATES: May 26 - June 8, 2010 (inclusive of travel)
INSTRUCTORS: Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D.1, 2, Bruce A. Schulte, Ph.D.4,
Katherine S. LaCommare, M.S., ABD 2,3
LOCATION: Spanish Bay Conservation & Research Center at HP Adventure
Lodge, http://belizeadventurelodge.com/
COSTS: $2595 includes, housing, meals, field trips, ground & water
transfer fees, research & materials fees; DOES NOT include airfare,
books, tips, or credit hours
DEADLINES: Early Registration ($50 Discount) & and Deposit due March
1st, 2010
MINIMUM / MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 8-24 students
REGISTRATION: http://www.sirenian.org/CourseSyllabus2010.html
Want to be a Marine Mammal Biologist? Or a Behavioral Ecologist?
Here's your chance to join our research team for two intense weeks of
total immersion into the world of Animal Behavior, Antillean manatees,
bottlenose dolphins in Belize! You will become totally immersed into
island living, the study of ethology (animal behavior) and the biology
of manatees and dolphins through lectures and learning activities,
literature review, debate, projects, and field research. This unique
field course combines an overview of the ecology, behavior, and
conservation of sirenians and cetaceans with hands-on manatee &
dolphin research in the Drowned Cayes, Belize. You'll spend 3-4 hours
on the water each day learning about the environment as we explore a
labyrinth of mangrove islands, seagrass beds, and coral patches
searching for elusive manatees and charismatic dolphins. You'll
collect behavioral and environmental data and learn about photo-id
techniques; you'll develop a Fact Sheet or Activity Booklet about a
related topic to be published by the Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine
Awareness & Education and/or Sirenian International. Extra-curricular
activities include diving or snorkeling at Turneffe Atoll, and
exploring an ancient Maya City. This unique course has a work load
equivalent to 4 university credit hours and 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 (~4 hours per day), project development (~1 hours per
day) and debate/group discussion of reading materials (~1 hours per
day). Want credit towards your degree? No problem! Sign up for
independent study with an advisor at your school and pay the
appropriate fees. The course has 70 contact hours and is comparable to
a 4 credit university course. Just have you advisor contact Dr. Self-
Sullivan (cselfsulli...@georgiasouthern.edu) to discuss the
requirements for credit. Remember, if you are interested in getting
independent study credit for this course at your school, you must make
arrangements IN ADVANCE with BOTH your advising faculty and the course
instructor. Credit hour fees must be paid directly to your school and
you must fulfill any Study Abroad requirements at your school.
COURSE CONTENT OVERVIEW (Lectures & Learning Activities)
The Order Sirenia: Manatees and Dugongs of the World
The Order Cetacea: Whales and Dolphins of the World
The Local Research Project: Manatee & Dolphins of the Drowned Cayes
Animal Behavior: Ethology and Behavioral Ecology - The Scientific
Perspectives
Ecology - Interactions between Manatees, Dolphins, and their Environment
Marine Mammals under Human Care in Zoos and Oceanariums
Marine Mammal Science: Research Design, Data Collection Methods,
Analysis of Data, and Interpretation of Results
Marine Mammal Conservation and Advocacy: The Status of Extant Marine
Mammal Species
RESOURCES
We recommend two books (optional) as primary resources on manatees and
dolphins:
The Florida Manatee: Biology and Conservation, by Roger L. Reep and
Robert K. Bonde, University Press of Florida
The Bottlenose Dolphin: Biology and Conservation, by John E. Reynolds,
Samantha D. Eide, and Randall S. Wells, University Press of Florida
A selection of primary literature will be sent to you in electronic
format in advance of the course. Students are required to print out
these articles and bring them with them to Belize.
There is also a library of books and archived journals, including
Society of Marine Mammalogy, Animal Behavior, and Conservation Biology
journals, in our library onsite in Belize.
COURSE FEE & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The course fee of $2595 includes all transportation, course, field
trip, and living expenses from your arrival at the PWG airport in
Belize on May 26th to your departure on June 8th. You are responsible
for tips, insurance, and round-trip airfare to Belize (BZE).
REGISTER EARLY: SAVE $100 WHEN YOU REGISTER and PAY IN FULL BY March 1st
SAVE $50 WHEN YOU REGISTER and PAY DEPOSIT BY March 1st
To register for course, please visit
http://www.sirenian.org/CourseSyllabus2010.html
For more information on the course, please email car...@sirenian.org
or cselfsulli...@georgiasouthern.edu
1 Dr. Caryn Self-Sullivan is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Georgia
Southern University.
4 Dr. Bruce Schulte is a Professor and Department Head at Western
Kentucky University.
3 Katherine LaCommare is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of
Massachusetts, Boston, and an instructor at Lansing Community College
in Michigan.
2 Caryn and Katie are the co-founders of Sirenian International.
1, 4 For more information on the instructors, please visit http://sirenian.org/caryn.html
and http://bioweb.wku.edu/faculty/Schulte/Default.asp
For more information on the facilities, please visit
http://belizeadventurelodge.com/
Download a Course Flyer at http://sirenian.org/CourseFlyer2010.pdf
Cheers,
Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D.
President & Co-founder, Sirenian International
Visiting Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University
Mobile: 540.287.8207 | Fax: 540.242.9196
Email: car...@sirenian.org or cselfsulli...@georgiasouthern.edu
Adopt a Mermaid Ambassador or Donate online at www.sirenian.org
The mission of Sirenian International is to promote the long-term
conservation of manatee and dugong populations and our shared aquatic
habitats around the world through research, educational outreach, and
capacity building. Please remember us when budgeting for your
charitable donations._______________________________________________
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