[Coral-List] 2011 Summer Field Course in Belize

[Caryn Self-Sullivan]

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 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 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. The course is divided into  
4 major components: lectures/learning activities (~1 hour per day),  
independent reading and assignments (~2 hour per day), data collection  
in the field (~3 hours per day), individual project development &  
implementation (~2 hours per day), presentation of pre-field component  
(~1 hour per day), and debate/group discussion of reading materials  
(~1 hour per day).  Two days of 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.

LOCATION: Spanish Bay Conservation & Research Center at Hugh Parkey's  
Belize Adventure Lodge, http://belizeadventurelodge.com/ (Passport  
required)

COSTS:  US$2995 includes housing, meals, most tips, field trips,  
ground & water transfer fees, research & materials fees; DOES NOT  
include airfare, books, extra tips, or credit hours.  Many students  
have been successful in getting additional financial aid for study  
abroad through their home university.  Two $500 Scholarships are  
available to students from low-income countries.

CREDIT HOURS:  The course is comparable to a 3 credit hour university  
course and meets the federal requirements for semester credit hours  
set forth last fall.   You must make arrangements IN ADVANCE with BOTH  
your advising faculty and Dr. Self-Sullivan for credit to be given  
through your home university.  Credit hour fees must be paid directly  
to your school and you must fulfill all study abroad requirements of  
your school.

DEADLINES:  Early registration & and deposit due March 15, 2011;  
regular registration & deposit due April 1st, 2011; balance due April  
15th, 2011.  Late registration (after April 1st--if space available)  
incurs a $100 late fee.  If you are registering through your home  
university, earlier deadlines may exist; please check with your  
academic advisor.

MINIMUM / MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 8-24 students

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND LINKS TO  
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=370432825564

Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D.
Email:  caryns at sirenian.org
200 Stonewall Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22401-2110
Mobile:  540.287.8207  |  Fax:  888.371.4998

Adjunct Faculty, Nova Southeastern University
http://www.fischlerschool.nova.edu/
http://www.nova.edu/ocean/

President & Co-founder, Sirenian International, Inc.
http://sirenian.org/caryn.html