Ecology and Behavior of Manatees and Dolphins in Belize DATES: June 26 - July 6 (inclusive of travel) INSTRUCTOR: Caryn Self-Sullivan Maximum class size: 10 This field course will be delivered at an introductory level, with a work load equivalent to a 2-hour university lecture course, 1-hour seminar course, and 1-hour lab. The course is divided into 4 major components: lectures (8 ~3-hour lectures), independent reading and assignments (~2 hours per day), data collection/reduction/analysis (8 ~3-hour field trips), and group discussion of reading materials (8 ~2-hour discussions). For independent study credit, a final written report will be required - details to be determined by your faculty advisor and course instructor. Topics to be covered include: 1. The Order Sirenia: Manatees and Dugongs of the World 2. The Order Cetacea: Whales and Dolphins of the World 2. Animal Behavior (Ethology): Understanding the Difference between Folk Psychology and Scientific Perspectives 3. Current Marine Mammal Research: Who's Who, What's What, and Where's Where? 4. Marine Mammal Husbandry: Marine Mammals under Human Care in Zoos and Oceanariums 5. Marine Mammal Science: Research Design, Data Collection Methods, Analysis of Data, and Interpretation of Results 6. Marine Mammal Conservation and Advocacy: What's the Status of Extant Marine Mammal Species Cost: $1950 US -- This fee includes all expenses (transportation, accommodations, meals) from your arrival at the PWG airport in Belize on June 26th to your departure on July 6th. You are responsible for your round-trip airfare to Belize (airport code BZE). In addition, you may want to purchase your own copy of one or more of the books to be used in the course. Also included is a Behind the Scenes Dolphin Encounter Training Session and a Field Trip to a Maya Archaeological Site. Credit: If you are interested in getting independent study credit for this course at your university, you must make arrangements in advance with BOTH your advising faculty member and the course instructor. Any credit hour fees must be paid directly to your university. A website with complete syllabus will be forthcoming. If you are interested in this course, please email caryn@sirenian.org For more information on the facilities, please visit http://www.belizeadventurelodge.com Caryn Self Sullivan, Marine Scientist Email: caryn@sirenian.org, caryn@hpfoundation.org Personal Fax: 540.907.4597 Belize Cell: ++501 660.9148 or 606.3696 USA Mobile: 540.287.8207 TAMU-WFSC Ethology Lab: 979.845.0495 Virginia Office/Home 540.373.8205 ======================================= Belize Spanish Lookout Caye: ++501.220.4024 Belize HPF(BDC) Office: ++501.223.2333 (BDC 223.4526) SkypeIN: 540.322.2207 (local to Fredericksburg) SkypeID: carynselfsullivan http://www.sirenian.org/caryn.html ================================== Texas A&M University, Ph.D. Candidate Sirenian International, President & Co-Founder Earthwatch Institute, Principal Investigator Hugh Parkey Foundation, Marine Science Advisor The mission of Sirenian International is to promote the long-term conservation of manatee and dugong populations around the world through research, education, and inter-cultural collaboration. Please remember us when budgeting for your charitable donations. Donate online at http://www.sirenian.org. The Hugh Parkey Foundation is dedicated to keeping Hugh's legacy alive by increasing marine awareness and conservation through education, sustainable tourism and research. Our model focuses on marine stewardship within the Belizean society and facilitates international outreach.