For more in-depth information (syllabus, grading, etc.) on this class please contact:
Dr. Larry A. Reichard, larry.reichard@mcckc.edu, 816.604.3140
Enrollment begins April 2011
Coral Reef Ecology
Biology 211 - Field Biology (5 credits)
This course consists of on-line lectures with the lab at the Tropical Research and Education Center aka TREC in Belize, Central America, (www.belizemarinetrec.com/).
The on-line lectures will begin on July 1, 2011 with the labs beginning about August 1, 2011 and will last 7-8 days and will be located at San Pedro, Ambergris Reef, Belize. This is the second largest reef system in the world.
According to recent reports, the coral reefs are in peril. Coral reefs are as biodiverse (and maybe more so) as tropical rain forests.
TREC will provide us will rooms, meals, equipment (boats, research library, classrooms, field station, lab supplies, marine biologists, registered nurse on staff, etc.). The Ambergris Reef is the healthiest in the Caribbean. The national language of Belize is English.
Prerequisites
BIOL 101, 104, or 106 or by permission from the instructor.
Cost
The anticipated total cost should be around $2,620, depending on the cost of airline tickets at the time of purchase. This includes:
- 7 nights at the TREC (rooms and 3 meals/day for 7 days)
- $40 fee for the Ho Chan National Marine Preserve
- $145/night stay in San Pedro before going to TREC
- Tuition
- Airfare
Travel Requirements
You must have a valid passport that has greater than 6 months remaining before expiration.
Activities
Students will be snorkeling so mask, snorkel, and fins are needs. Snorkeling techniques will be taught to students unskilled in this activity. If time permits, at your own expense, there are extra-curricular activities that may be available: Mayan ruins, tropical forest, river rafting, Belize zoo, SCUBA (if certified), tubing, canoeing, hiking, and butterfly farm.