Description

During Winter Break 2012, a group of students will participate in a field trip to Bonaire, a tropical semi-desert island in the Netherlands Antilles off the northern coast of South America. This Dutch island is noted for its rich coral reef communities and is favored by scuba divers. The instructor will be Dr. James H. Thorp, a Professor in KU's Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a Senior Scientist in the Kansas Biological Survey. He has led many marine trips to the Caribbean with students, including recent trips to Bonaire, Belize, and Roatan.

Academic Program
Although this course will be exciting and fun, be advised that this is a formal course with classroom lectures and many underwater and some land field trips. Lectures will cover topics in basic marine biology, coral reef ecology, and marine organismal biology. Field trips will focus on coral reefs, sea grass beds, intertidal zones, and mangrove lagoons. Students will investigate the fringing coral reef during scuba dives (~2/day) and snorkeling trips. Grades will be based on 1-2 lecture tests, a field notebook, general participation, and probably one or more team research projects.

Accommodations
All participants will stay at Captain Don's Habitat with multiple students per bungalow. Most meals will be eaten at the resort's restaurant and some lunches may be prepared in the bungalow kitchens as a group effort.

Dates
Study Abroad Program: January 6-14, 2012

Spring Semester 2012: Program participants will meet four times during the Spring semester.

Eligibility
Enrollment for the trip is limited to about 12 students. Participants need to be scuba certified and should complete their open water dives before November if possible (contact Prof. Thorp for more information about scuba programs and this course). Final open-water certification (4 dives) during the first two days in Bonaire is possible, but more expensive than completing it in Lawrence. No course pre-requisites are required, but a biology background is definitely useful. Students in all majors are welcome as long as they realize that the course can be more challenging to non-biologists.

Credit
All students in this program will enroll in BIOL 418/701 Laboratory in: Marine Biology (3 credits) during the Spring 2012 semester. Credit is granted by the University of Kansas upon successful completion of the course and overseas program and will be posted to the student's Spring 2012 academic record at KU.

Financial Aid
KU students who qualify for financial aid in the form of Stafford and/or other loans, Pell or SEOG Grants, and scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a Study Abroad Program.

Limited KU Study Abroad supplemental scholarships are available to KU degree seeking students. Applications are available online. The scholarship application deadline is October 1 for Winter Break programs.

Application Procedures
Early Application is encouraged. Contracts are due October 10.

Highlights

Academic Program
BIOL 418/701 Laboratory in: Marine Biology (3 credits)

This course is designed to give students a broader understanding of marine environments through first-hand experience at one of the largest and most pristine coral reef sites in the world. The program will concentrate on coral reef communities, but will also include exploration of sea grass beds, inter-tidal zones, and mangroves. Students will investigate marine environments with up to 2 dives per day.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

• Biology (general)
• Marine Biology

Cost in US$:

Approximately 4,090

Program Fees Include:

Approximately USD4,090. The program fee includes international airfare, airport transfers, room and board, dives, orientation, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services, and administrative costs.

Tuition and Fees: Estimated tuition and fees for 3 credit hours (based on standard tuition rate): USD620*

*Actual expenses for KU students will vary by the students individual tuition compact. Non-KU students will pay the standard tuition rate listed above.

Estimated Additional Expenses: Domestic airfare (approx. USD600), books/supplies, personal expenses, passport fees, pre-trip scuba instruction, scuba equipment rental and dive insurance. Graduate students will pay a differential for graduate credit.

Note:
All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons.

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

University of Kansas's Mission Statement

The university is dedicated to preparing its students for lives of learning and for the challenges educated citizens will encounter in an increasingly complex and diverse global community. Over 100 programs of international study and cooperative research are available for KU students and faculty at sites throughout the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and the rest of the world. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.