Module 8

Carleton University
Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology

Course Title : Tropical Research - Cuban Coral Reefs
Instructor(s) :

Dr. Nigel Waltho
Website

Department of Biology, Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6
Phone: 613-520-2600 Ext. 8764
Date(s) : Depart May 06, 2010; return May 24 (approx. dates as dependent on flight opportunities – includes two weeks field work, plus a couple days travelling, and a recreational day in Havana). Carleton 0.5 credits
Location : University of Havana Field Station at Punta Frances, Isla de la Juventud, Cuba
Cost :
  • Course Cost estimated as $1925 for 10-14 students (covers accommodation, meals, lab, ship, and scuba equipment).  Payable as $250 non-refundable DEPOSIT to your home University, plus $1675 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 Feb 28th  2010. 
  • Airfare estimated $700-900 (Toronto to Havana)  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).
Prerequisites :
  • Students should normally be entering the 3rd or 4th year of a Biology Honours (e.g., Zoology, Ecology, Botany, Limnology, Marine Biology, or other) program; and have at least one ecology course beyond the Introductory level, and have an introductory biometry or statistics course.
  • Nb. Students who do not have an introductory statistical course will be expected to have read, prior to departure to Cuba: 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 submit a 3-4 pg. research proposal for March 1st, 2010.  In May students fly to Havana from which we cruise directly to Punta Frances, Isla de la Juventud.  Upon arrival 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).   The planned work schedule is 5 days on - day off (land) - 4 days on - day off (land) - 3 days on - sail back to Havana. 
  • Evening sessions vary with logbook upkeep, data entry, topical guest & student presentations, project design and statistical workshops, to free time.
Living and sleeping accommodations are on the boat.  Students are expected to bring their own sleeping mattress, sleeping bag, pillow, and personal comforts.  Living conditions are rustic.  Personal space is limited.  After two weeks in the field we sail back to Havana to spend a day as tourists in Old Havana before returning back to Canada.  Upon return to Canada students are to complete their analyses and final papers.
Enrollment : 10-14 students
Evaluation : Field effort, teamwork, and initiative (40%); final paper (60%).
Assignment(s) : Student pairs submit a 3-4 page research proposal by March 1st, 2010.  Revisions to your proposals are required prior to the beginning of the April exams.  Acceptance of your proposal by the instructor is a condition to participate in the field work.  Four weeks after the return to Canada students submit final reports formatted following the style of the journal ECOLOGY (final submissions are all individual work).
Additional Information: