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@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@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@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@nova.edu http://www.fischlerschool.nova.edu/ http://www.nova.edu/ocean/ President & Co-founder, Sirenian International, Inc. http://sirenian.org/caryn.html