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
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
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
(
cselfsullivan@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
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.
Cheers,
Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D.