COASTAL ECOLOGY OF THE BAHAMAS
GLG 414 and 514

June 14 - 26, 2004

What do we do? We do a lot of looking. We examine a variety of coral reefs, beaches, mangroves and other tropical marine and coastal regions. We learn the names of the major players in these environments - not from a book - from our own observations. We learn about the interactions, the ecology, of these environmental systems because we see things happening. We look, discuss, ask questions, reflect, and look again.
Maximum enrollment is 25.
Days are spent in the field. We snorkel to see underwater environments. We use boats to get to areas further offshore (reefs and lagoons). We hike along beaches and coastal sand dunes. Along the way, we make personal observations (Underwater slates and notebooks are provided.), and we learn how to make observations using current meters, tide meters, dataloggers, chemical measurements, etc. We learn how research is performed because we participate in ongoing research observations (reef coral censussing, fish observations, underwater sediment coring, rock coring, groundwater research, etc.) . Snorkeling and swimming are required. Participants should be comfortable swimmers; we can teach you to snorkel. SCUBA is not required, but several SCUBA opportunities will be available throughout the trip.
Nights are spent in lectures and discussion / reflection of observations made during the day as well as lab examination of materials and data collected during the day.

Prerequisites : Two natural science courses OR permission of instructor

Director: Dr. Mark Boardman

Contributing Faculty: Dr. Cindy Carney (Wright State University)

WHERE: San Salvador, Bahamas and Florida Keys, USA

CREDIT: 5 semester hours GLG 414 (graduate students register for 514)

COST: $600 plus tuition and fees

REGISTRATION: Reserve a spot by paying a $100 deposit and completing a Workshop Registration Form (email Dr. Boardman to get a copy).
Before February 1, 2004: Enrollment preference is given to persons in the Oceanography thematic sequence, Geology majors and Geology minors . After February 1, 2004 - first come - first served.

For more information about this course, contact:

Dr. Mark R. Boardman
Department of Geology
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
513-529-3230