Module 35

Carleton University
Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology

Course Title :

Coral Reef Research – in the Bahamas
Instructor(s) :

Dr. Nigel Waltho
Department of Biology, Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6
Phone: 613-520-2600 Ext. 8764

Website

Dr. Jurek Kolasa
Department of Biology
McMaster University
1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1 
Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 23100
Date(s) :

Depart Dec 27, 2010;  return Jan 10, 2011 (approx. dates as dependent on flight opportunities)

0.5 credits (Carleton U)/3 units (McMaster)
Location :

Cape Eleuthera Institute & the Island School, Eleuthera, Bahamas
Cost :
  • Course Cost estimated as $1999 for 10-18 students (covers accommodation, meals, lab, boat, and scuba equipment).  Payable as $250 non-refundable DEPOSIT to your home University, plus $1749 BALANCE payable to “Carleton University #814302”; mail this balance to Ruth Hill-Lapensee, Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6  by Oct 30th  2010. 
  • Airfare estimated $700-100 (Toronto to Rock Sound, Eleuthera)  Nb. students making connecting flights to/from Ottawa may need to pay for connecting flights.
  • Nb. Students involved in snorkelling or scuba projects are expected to provide their own mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit.  Scuba divers are also expected to provide their own dive watch (any waterproof watch to 30m).
Nb. All students must have DAN travel/snorkelling/scuba insurance (approx. $60).
Prerequisites :
  • Students should normally be entering the 3rd or 4th year of a Biology Honours (e.g., Zoology, Ecology, Botany, Limnology, Marine Biology) program; and have at least one ecology course beyond the Introductory level, and have an introductory biometry or statistics course.
  • Nb. If you do not have an introductory statistics course then you will be expected to have read a small paperback prior to the beginning of the course by - Barnard C., F. Gilbert, & P. McGregor (2007) Asking Questions in Biology.  3rd Ed.  Pearson/Prentice Hall.
  • Nb. Students MUST be comfortable swimming (e.g., swim nonstop 16 lengths (400m) of a swimming pool).
Nb. Anyone can undertake snorkelling projects, but only certified SCUBA divers can undertake scuba projects.

 
Description :
  • Student pairs are to submit a 3-4 pg. research proposal for Oct. 30th, 2010.  Upon arrival to the station students embark on their research projects.  Projects can be either terrestrial/coastal or shallow water wading, snorkel, or deeper water scuba.  Research emphasis should be on the distribution and community organization of your choice system (e.g., coastal communities such as shore crabs, molluscs, insects, coastal plants, or other; or marine communities such as coral reef fish, sea urchins/brittle stars, sponges, corals, coral diseases, other invertebrates, aquatic macrophyte).  
  • Evening sessions vary with logbook upkeep, data entry, topical guest & student presentations, project design and statistical workshops, to free time.
  • Accommodations are dormitory-style (bring your own sheets/pillows/light sleeping bag) with fully staffed kitchen. Cuisine is Bahamian.
Upon return to Canada students are to complete their analyses and submit their final papers (individual work).

 
Enrollment : 10 - 18 students
Evaluation : Field effort, teamwork, and initiative (40%); final paper (60%)
Assignment(s) : Student teams are to submit a 3-4 page research proposal by Oct 30th, 2010.  Revisions to your proposals maybe necessary prior to departure.  Acceptance of your proposal by the instructor is a condition to participate in the field work.  Field work progress is required through the second week of the course.  Four weeks after the return to Canada students submit final reports formatted following the style of the journal ECOLOGY.
Additional Information: