costarica News

Important Precourse Requirements, Forms and Deadlines--2006

A "vocal intro" to this "Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica " Web Page (Quicktime or....a MP3)

Hello,

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.

CONTACT People

You can always contact me by (1)phone (513-529-1338); (2) e-mail: haysc@muohio.edu ; (3) mail: Dr. Hays Cummins, Interdisciplinary Studies, Miami Univeristy, Oxford, Ohio 45056; (4) or just come by my office at 209/222 Boyd Hall at Miami University.

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

Important Deadline Dates--Course Forms, Room and Board, Registration + Flights

--Completed Course Forms-Due by February 15, 2007
--Room and Board-Due by Feb 15, 2007
--Registration Done by March 31, 2007

FLIGHT Info

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:

Contact:

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

PASSPORT

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.

Council travel International Student ID Cards

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.

http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/FieldCourses05/fieldcourses.html

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