[Coral-List] Study Manatees and Dolphins in Belize: Deadline Extended to June 3rd

[Caryn Self-Sullivan]

Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation of Antillean Manatees, Bottlenose  
Dolphins 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 dependent on course enrollment.

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 caryns at 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  DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JUNE 3RD!

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 caryns at 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 & Wildlife Conservation
Primary Email:  caryns at 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:  cs1733 at nova.edu
http://www.fischlerschool.nova.edu/
http://www.nova.edu/ocean/
President & Co-founder, Sirenian International, Inc.
http://sirenian.org/caryn.html