Module 3

University of Western Ontario
Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology

Course Title : Tropical Marine Environments
Instructor(s) : Dr. Graeme M. Taylor
Date(s) : April 29th to May 12th. 2 weeks; UWO 0.5 credit
Location : Belize Marine Studies Field Camp at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Belize
Cost :

The cost for the year 2010 will be approximately $2095. This will cover your expenses on the remote tropical island, including all transportation within Belize, park fees, room/board, local guides, field basecamp and research equipment.  Students are responsible for the following additional costs: return flight to Belize, personal travel, travel medical insurance, and one dinner and breakfast on the mainland.

You are required to first submit a non-refundable $250 deposit to your home university by January 30th. The balance is then due before March 1st. You can pay by certified cheque or bank draft (no personal cheques), payable to University of Western Ontario. Payments should be sent to the attention of Brenda Beretta, North Campus 301A, London, ON N6A 5B7; fax 519-850-2343. 

Prerequisites : Completed two years of a biology program with at least one half-course in ecology, or by permission of instructor. You must be reasonably fit and comfortable around water. An ability to swim 12 lengths of a pool non-stop is required. A current tetanus inoculation is mandatory. Students must have a valid passport, and students with other than Canadian passports need to determine visa requirements into Belize; you can find out entry requirements at http://www.travelbelize.org/plan-your-visit/getting-here/entry-requirements-2.html. A positive attitude towards adventure is also important!
Description :

This course is an introduction to tropical marine environments. We will be based at the Half Moon Caye Marine Reserve, on a remote tropical island 90 km offshore of the Belize mainland.The caye is located at the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, one of only four such atolls in the Western Hemisphere. The atoll is an asymmetric rimmed platform, entirely surrounded by a fringing reef rising virtually to the surface. Inside this fringing reef is a lagoon speckled with hundreds of coral patches. The reef, including the spectacular wall where the atoll drops away into the depths, is highlighted for its density and diversity of both corals and fish.  Here, we will be literally surrounded by marine life.  We will observe a variety of corals, other invertebrates, and countless species of fish. Much of our time will be spent exploring by kayak and snorkelling in shallow water marine environments. We will learn to be field biologists, to document and to interpret what we observe, and to develop scientific questions from our observations.  You will work in a team on a research project, and you will be communicating your research ideas to the larger group. Facilitating our scientific endeavours will be Island Expeditions (please visit their web site at www.islandexpeditions.com), who have over 20 years experience operating tropical marine field camps in Belize.
Enrollment : Minimum of 20 to a maximum of 26 students.
Evaluation :

• Participation 20%

• Field Journal, data collection, and identification 40%

• Research project and presentation 40%
Assignment(s) :  
Additional Information:

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

Policy on cancellation and refund: If for any reason you need to cancel, be aware that many of our course costs are incurred well in advance of your arrival to Belize.  For our group, there is a fixed cost to reserving a remote field site.  Your individual cost is an appropriate fraction of the total expenses.  Your enrolment is confirmed by the UWO receiving full payment by March 1st.  Only money order or certified cheque will be accepted (no personal cheques). After March 1st, those students in arrears will be automatically replaced by paying participants. All cancellations must be received in writing by the 15th of March.  After March 15th we retain your full payment. No exceptions are provided for the above procedures and regulations.  The University of Western Ontario may need to cancel the course/trip due to unforeseen events and under such circumstances you will receive a full refund.