The Course:

This is a hands-on field course taught within various tropical marine ecosystems on the coast of Belize including riverine, lagoon and mangrove systems, intertidal zones, and various reef  communities.  The course will focus on the ecology of these systems and the natural history of their inhabitants, as well as examining environmental impacts and conservation efforts as they relate to the cultures and politics of Belizean society.

Dates and Location:

Course dates: May 10-24 2010.  Travel dates in Belize: May 14-21 and include one night on the mainland at the Jaguar Preserve and six nights at the Wee Wee Caye Marine Lab located on an offshore mangrove island along the Western Hemisphere’s longest barrier reef.  Because the stations are located in somewhat remote areas (south of the town of Dangriga), they are relatively  undisturbed by tourism, so students should  be able to  observe a large variety of marine species not as commonly seen by tourists.  The mangrove island  is also host to a number of  bird  species as well as a  population of boa constrictors (contrary to popular belief, boa constrictors pose little threat to humans).

Accommodations:

Living conditions are simple (no air conditioning or indoor plumbing), but clean and safe.  Screened cabins without electricity are used for lodging (up to 4 students per cabin) and water for showering is stored in cisterns warmed  by solar power.  There is no cell phone or internet access, but a radio is available for emergencies.  Non-flush toilets are clean and sanitary.  The facility uses electric light for a few hours in the evening from a solar system which students can access for charging  batteries.  Local cooks prepare delicious, mostly traditional Belizean meals, and they try to  accommodate the special needs of vegetarians and others if asked in advance.

The Cost:

Program Cost per participant is $2250 and includes roundtrip airfare (Atlanta - Belize City), all in-country travel (small plane, bus, and boat), all meals, all lodging, admission fees, and airport departure tax.  Tuition is paid separately during registration and is not included in the above fee. The above price does not include vaccinations, cost of passport application, cost of ground transport to and from Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, tips, incidental expenses, souvenirs, or drinks that are not a part of regular meals.   Students must also supply their own mask, fins, and snorkel, as well as other items typically associated with travel and outdoor activities.

Financial Aid:

If you qualified to receive Hope scholarship, your tuition can be covered by the scholarship.   There is a good chance that other federal grants, loans and scholarships that you are eligible for will also apply.  Upon application, you are automatically eligible for a scholarship to defray part of the program cost.  Be sure to contact the KSU Institute for Global Initiatives and the program director to inquire about study abroad scholarships, or go to http://www.kennesaw.edu/globalinstitute/igi_financialaid.htm

The Prerequisites:

Ecology (Biology 3370) or permission of instructor.  Students must be competent swimmers and will be required to take a swim test prior to the date of the first program installment. 

How to Sign up the Course:

Apply on-line by clicking here.  A deposit of $300 is due at the time of application.   Students will be admitted to the course through this on-line application on first come, first serve basis.  If the course is full, you will be placed on a waiting list. 

You will be required to pass a basic swim test and present documentation on these results to the International Office.  More details on the swim test will be available soon.

If you have any questions or concerns about your swimming compatibility for the trip, please talk to Dr. Dirnberger.

About Belize:

Belize, formerly British Honduras, is a small English speaking country located along the western Caribbean on the Yucatan Peninsula of Central America.  Over 40% of the country is preserved as parks and natural reserves.  Though the population is small (less than half that of Cobb County), its  cultures are diverse and include Mayans, Creoles, Mestizos, and the Garifuna.  For more information on Belize, go to http://www.travelbelize.org/belize.html.       

Safety and Security Precautions:

Belize is a stable, U.S. friendly nation, and the official language is English.

Students must be competent swimmers.  Participants will be required to take a swim test prior to the course (a date will be scheduled during the Spring semester). The course will involve extensive snorkeling (which can be easily taught to swimmers without previous snorkeling experience).  Dangerous organisms typically associated with tropical systems and their associated risks will be explained to the students prior to field trips.  

The marine lab is accessible only by boat.  There is a hospital in Dangriga, approximately one hour away. Staff at the field stations are trained for basic medical emergencies.  Radio and cell phone also available for emergencies.  Participants will be asked to get specific instructions for  health and immunizations from their physicians since each person’s individual needs  may vary.  The Centers for Disease Control gives recommendations for immunizations for travel abroad so participants will be advised to consult their web site  at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ for these.  The most likely disease risks are hepatitis A and malaria (chloroquine is recommended as the antimalarial drug in Belize).  Students are advised to apply mosquito repellent to reduce risk of malaria.  Students are also advised not to handle wildlife or pets while in Belize to reduce risk of rabies.

Everyone who travels to Belize must have a valid passport.  Participants who have expired passports should have them renewed. Participants who have never  had a passport should begin the process of obtaining one immediately. Local post offices have information  on where to get application forms and directions for obtaining a passport.   Go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html for more information. 

The Schedule:

Pre-semester orientation will be scheduled early in the Spring semester (TBA) and will include discussions on course overview and pre-course readings, as well as travel/passport arrangements, required gear and recommended vaccinations. 

10 May- Orientation. lecture, and group activities at K
11 May - Lecture and group activities at KSUSU

12 May - Lecture and group activities at KSU

13 May - Lecture and group activities at KSU

14 May – Morning international flight from Atlanta to Belize City.  In-country flight to Dangriga and an introduction to Garifuna culture.  Chartered bus trip to the Jaguar Preserve and Maya Center and the Jaguar Preserve.

15 May – Watershed/ land use – Exploring the Preserve.  PM boat trip to Wee Wee Caye followed by walking tours and snorkeling to familiarize students to  fauna and flora.  Snorkeling lesson if needed.

16 May – Snorkeling: Ecosystem survey ofWee Wee Caye

17 May – Boat trip and snorkeling: Ecosystem survey of the barrier reef

18 May – Boat trip and snorkeling: Ecosystem survey of Mangrove Cayes.

19 May – Boat trip and snorkeling: Ecosystem survey of the barrier reef

20 May – Snorkeling: Group project on organism distributions along the reef (AM) and individual projects (PM)

21 May – Depart Wee Wee Caye.by boat.  Transport via bus and plane to Belize City. Afternoon international flight from Belize City to Atlanta.

22 May - Oral presentation of individual projects at KSU – Data analysis and preparation for final paper and individual projects at KSU

While in Belize, students will be required to participate throughout fieldtrips each day (which at times may be physically demanding) and each evening (group meetings to work on field journals and to analyze and discuss data).

Basis for evaluation and final grade determination:

1. •Lecture exam and lab exam prior to departure
   

2. •Field Journal
   

3. •Final Research Paper (due later in summer)
   

4. •Oral presentation on individual research projects
   

5. •Participation
   

The Instructors:

Dr. Joseph Dirnberger has extensive teaching and research experience in both freshwater and marine biology.  He has visited Belize on three occasions, and his other travels include Costa Rica and Mexico, the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, the Philippines, and Vietnam.   Dr. Scott Reese has research experience in the Caribbean coral reefs to the north along Mexico's Yucatan coast, and has also travelled in Belize as well as Kuwait and Iraq courtesy of the U.S. Government.  The stations' knowledgeable guides will also an integral part of our educational experience.  The guides, whose instructional experience is mainly with university study groups, are well-versed in local culture and natural history.

For More Information Contact:

Joseph M.Dirnberger, Ph.D.

email: jdirnber@kennesaw.edu

Scott Reese, Ph.D.

sreese@kennesaw.edu

Department of Biological and Physical Sciences

Kennesaw State University

“The depth of the ocean seemed indefinite at times …. And the darkness that accompanied that uncertainty brought somewhat of a fear of things that might appear.  Nonetheless, one of the coolest things I’ll probably ever do”

Photo Gallery

“The trip taught me not only a lot about the marine life and ecology, but it taught me to value life more and to enjoy the simple things in life”