Marine Course

Ecology, Behavior & Conservation of Manatees & Dolphins
A Unique Field Course in the Drowned Cayes, Belize
(Outdated but still interesting)

NOTE: The $100 discount for early registrations has been extended until March 10th!

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 directly to your school. The course has 70 contact hours and is comparable to a 4 credit university course. 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.

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. REGISTER BY MARCH 1ST AND SAVE $100! SEE REGISTRATION FORM (http://sirenian.org/RegistrationForm2009.pdf) FOR DETAILS. Early Registration Extended until March 10th!