BIOLOGY
350 -- 4 CREDITS
MAY 9 - MAY 30, 2008
Location:
San Salvador in the Bahamas
Emphasis: Marine Biology/Coral Reef Ecology
This
course is designed to introduce students to the plants and
animals found in the marine and adjacent environments of
the Caribbean and to study their adaptations in the context
of community ecology. Fishes, invertebrates, reptiles and
marine algae will be the major groups encountered and snorkeling
will be used for observation and underwater field work.
(SCUBA certification is not required.) Field work will be
a major activity and attention will be given to survey methodology,
identification, sampling techniques, research design and
other useful field skills. Lectures, lab work and readings
will supplement the field work, as will an independent research
project during the second week. The coral reefs at San Salvador
are very rich, quite accessible and easily studied. A typical
day's work may involve visits to two or three field locations.
A three or four day orientation
session at Charlottesville just prior to departure will
be used for lectures, discussions and to introduce the observation,
collection and identification techniques to be employed
in the course. Also, a local field trip and possibly an
overnight field trip will be scheduled. During the first
week of the 15 days spent on San Salvador the emphasis is
on visiting all of the 12 or more ecological sites on the
island and to observe the organisms in situ. Following
the site visits there are discussions about adaptations
seen in the field and the significance of these adaptations
in the context of morphology, anatomy, physiology, behavior,
development and ecology. Another major focus of the course
is on the variety of organismal interactions that occur
on the reefs and their ecological/evolutionary implications.
Marine conservation and management of resources, especially
those of the Bahamas, are also stressed.
Although the major theme of
the course is biological, it seems appropriate that attention
be paid to the significant social, cultural, and historical
attractions found on the island. To this end, interactions
with the local peoples and their culture are encouraged.
Also, students come in contact with individuals conducting
current research projects at San Salvador in the fields
of geology, anthropology, archaeology, pathology, and conservation.
Visiting scientists working at the Center are invited to
speak to our class about their areas of expertise when appropriate.
Our own scientists also present seminars on their current
research projects.
1) ACADEMIC
CREDIT: 4 hours of Biology 350 (may be used for major
credit and upper level lab)
2) LOCATION: The island of San Salvador in the Bahamas,
which lies about 350 miles S.E. of Miami. The San Sal program
is housed at the Gerace Research Center, a science laboratory/field
station chartered by the Bahamian Government and operated
under an American director. Facilities include vehicles for
class field trips, labs with running sea water, air-conditioned
lecture rooms, specimen repository, library and canteen. Food
and lodging are provided at the station. Clear water and spectacular
field sites with abundant, shore-accessible coral reefs for
serious study are the major attractions. Accomodations at
the Center are rustic but quite adequate. (The facilities
were built by the U.S. Navy in the 1950's for tracking hostile
submarines.)
3)
COSTS: The cost will be $2,785.00 for in-state students
and $2,893.00 for out-of-state students. This will cover
tuition for the four-hour course and all other expenses
except air fare, snorkeling equipment, departure
taxes, and miscellaneous en-route travel expenses from Charlottesville
to San Salvador. (Purchase of books is optional.)
4)
PREREQUISITES: Biology 201-202 and 204 or their equivalents
or permission of instructor. Also, an interest in organismal
biology, willingness to work hard, an open, questioning
mind and a desire to participate in an educational experience
that emphasizes instructor-class interactions and approaches
not available in a typical course. First year and upper-class
students are invited to apply. This is a serious upper-level
course but it is not restricted to biology majors or those
planning careers in biology/ecology.
5) FACULTY: Drs. Fred Diehl, David Smith, Karen McGlathery,
and four or five additional faculty members. The normal
class size is 30 students, providing an excellent faculty
to student ratio of about 1:4! All faculty have taught in
the course numerous times and represent a wide range of
scientific expertise and interests.
6) FURTHER INFORMATION: Informational meetings will
be held at times to be announced in November and December, 2007. Both meetings will be held in Gilmer Hall Rm.141.
Any questions regarding the course will be answered and
a fuller description of the course will be presented. Also,
inquiries may be brought to Prof. Fred Diehl in room 244
Gilmer Hall, tel. 982-5488, or e-mail fad@virginia.edu.
Or, you may contact Prof. David Smith in Environmental Sciences
at Clark 372 or 204, tel. 924-0561, e-mail des3e@virginia.edu.
Information is available online at the Biology
Dept. website or on information sheets found
in the entryway to Gilmer Hall beside room 130, from Professors
Diehl or Smith or from the International Studies Office
in Minor Hall.
7)
APPLICATION DUE DATE: Applications are online
and may be found on the website for the International Studies
Office (U.Va. In the Bahamas). They are due no later
than Thursday, February 14, 2008 but students are encouraged
to submit them as soon as possible. Instructions, interview
procedures and notification dates, etc. will be included
on the application form.
