Ecology, Behavior & Conservation of Manatees & Dolphins A Unique Field Course in the Drowned Cayes, Belize May 30 - June 12, 2009 Register Early - space is limited to 24 students! Instructors: Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D.1, 2 and Bruce A. Schulte, Ph.D.1 1Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University 2President & Co-founder, Sirenian International Want to be a Marine Mammal Biologist? Want to be 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! Become totally immersed into island living, behavioral ecology and marine biology 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. Get out of the classroom! 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. For more information start here: http://www.sirenian.org/CourseSyllabus2009.html Credit: The course is hosted by the Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education and Spanish Bay Conservation & Research Center as a non-credit course. The lecture and field lab hours are equivalent of a 4-credit hour academic course; instructor will work with your academic advisor if credit is desired. Location: Hugh Parkey's Belize Adventure Lodge http://www.belizeadventurelodge.com; extra-curricular activities include snorkeling/diving on the reef, and exploring an ancient Maya City. Your Share of Costs: $2595 includes course materials, housing, meals, field trips, ground & water transfers fees DOES NOT include airfare, insurance, tips, or credit hours; students are required to have in place or purchase travel insurance equivalent to DAN Insurance, which costs $99/year. Instructor Links: Caryn Self-Sullivan <http://www.sirenian.org/caryn.html> , Ph.D. and Bruce A. Schulte <http://www.bio.georgiasouthern.edu/bio-home/schulte/schulte-home.html> , Ph.D. Caryn Self Sullivan, Ph.D. Department of Biology 202 Georgia Avenue, P. O. Box 8042 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA 30460-8042 Email: cselfsullivan@georgiasouthern.edu Office: Biology 2202B Phone: 912-478-7164 Fax: 912.478.0845 http://www.bio.georgiasouthern.edu Sirenian International, Inc. 200 Stonewall Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Email: caryns@sirenian.org Mobile: +1.540.287.8207 Personal Fax: +1.540.242.9196 http://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. Adopt a Mermaid Ambassador or Donate online at http://www.sirenian.org.