I just thought I'd drop you a note and say hi. There is a nice mixture of
graduate and undergraduate students in the course--we're looking forward to an
interesting course.
I wanted to let you know about course deadlines for payment and discussion
topics. But first, here is some important details on contact information.
My administrative assistant is indispensible! Her name is Jeanne Johnson. She handles all of the course paperwork (She's also very nice!) Jeanne can be reached by (1)phone: 513-529-8183; (2) e-mail: johnstj@muohio.edu ; (3) in her office, dept of geology, 114 Shideler Hall, Miami University ;(4) or my mail: Jeanne Johnson, Geology Dept., Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056
I've got fantastic group rates for our course. The flight originates in Cincinnati, then to Atlanta, then San Jose. Our travel agent is Travel Unlimited here in Oxford Ohio. Our contact person is Debbie (513-523-7555).
Summary:
Travel Unlimited
- Attention: Debbie
- 102 West High
- Oxford, Ohio 45056
or call 1-513-523-7555
Room and Board Fees
The balance of the $775 room, board, and travel fee is
due by Feb 28, 2007, or sooner. Checks should be made payable to Miami University
and either hand-delivered or mailed to Dr. Hays Cummins, Interdisciplinary
Studies, Oxford, Ohio 45056. For those on campus, my office is located in
222 Boyd Hall. The room and board check needs to be separate from the
tuition check!
Registration Form
You can pick up a registration form (or have one mailed to you). Non-Ohio resident students need to mail the completed registration form to me (or Jeanne) with the total tuition costs (room and board costs are separate). Course registration fees (as of 12/06/05) for Ohio residents are -$1874.30. - GLG 413; $2003.65 - GLG 513. Non-Ohio resident Fees are -$3121.65. - GLG 413; $3204.90 - GLG 513. You must be registered by March 31, 2007. Once we have the form, we will register for you. No exceptions!
Passport/International Student ID
All students must have (1) a valid PASSPORT and (2) an international student ID to participate in the course. Forms for passports can be found
at the Post Office. Download a PASSPORT INFO document Here. Contact your local passport office for instructions or
the phone number of the Butler County (Ohio) passport office is
513-887-3090. Cost is $67 and it takes from 6-8 weeks. If someone needs to expedite a passport, cost is about $127.
For further International Student ID info, visit this WWW site: Council travel International Student ID Cards. Or, you can get the international student ID at
McMillan Hall/ International Student Office at Miami University (call 513-529-2512 to check for available times). You need a check of $22 payable to Miami and a 2by2 inch photo.
Important Course Related Forms
There are numerous forms to turn in. You will receive a "course packet" that icludes a bewildering array of forms! The packet will include: health forms, waivers,
Certificate of Medical Insurance Coverage, emergency medical contact,
Student Travel Release, and others. The best way to get these forms is to (1) pick up the course form packet from Jeanne Johnston or myself; (2) have them mailed to you!
ALL COURSE FORMS NEED TO BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED BY Feb 15th, to Dr. Hays Cummins, Interdisciplinary Studies, 222 Boyd Hall, Oxford, Ohio 45056 or Jeanne Johnson, Dept of Geology, Miami UNiversity, Oxford, Ohio 45056.
The Don't Leave Home Without it List:
http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/html/TropEcoCostaRica.html#anchor338263
Presentation Topic:
We'll talk about this early in the spring semester
As part of our course expectations, each student will present a fifteen (15)
minute talk on a tropical ecology topic of your choice during the course.
These presentations will be in the evenings or at lunch. First come, first
served! We expect you to research a topic of interest to you and share what
you know with the class. Visit the Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica
Syllabus to post your topic and get feedback. The syllabus address is:
http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/tropics/costaricacourse.html; the WWW Class
Discussion Topics Menu can be found at
http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/FieldCourses05/fieldcourses.html. If
you have questions, feel free to telephone me (phone first: 513-529-1338). Or, you can come by my office , room 222 Boyd Hall on
the Western campus.
Research Paper:
A research paper (minimum 5 pages plus references) building
from your discussion topic, is due the first day of the course (hard copy).
The paper should be posted to the web by 5/15/2006.
2005 Topic Posting Website:
http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/FieldCourses05/fieldcourses.html
You are also expected to make a powerpoint presentation of your report.
Discussion Topic and Paper Timelines:
By Mar 15, 2006. Topic Selection, Paragraph, Outline, and Sources. First-Come, First-Served!
April 15, 2006. Final Outline Submission: Rewrite after having received feedback.
May 15, 2006. Final Paper Posting. A five page paper on your discussion topic.
In addition to a course reader which you can pick-up from the Oxford Copy
Shop after April 15, we will be using A Neotropical Companion by John
Kricher. It can be purchased/ordered at most bookstores. We will order
copies from the Miami Co-op.
Whew! That's it for now!
We may get a chance to SCUBA one time while in the Pacific. Don't forget your SCUBA certification card if you intend to do any diving. You can't dive without it.
It's going to be a great course!
All the best,
R. Hays Cummins