Tropical Field Biology 497H

Come journey with us to the tropics, mon...St. John, USVI

Instructors:

Other Fellow Explorers:

Students:

Course Objective:

Introduction to the ecology, behavior, taxonomy, and physiology of tropical organisms, with emphasis on close observation of living organisms in nature.  Includes hands-on investigation of coastal and marine ecosystems on a tropical island (St. John, USVI).

Course Structure:

        1. Course meets twice a week, every week, with pre-trip lectures.

        2. Eight days of field study in St. John, Virgin Islands.

        3. Post-trip lectures comprised of student presentations.

Grading:

        1. Attendance - 5% of final grade

2. Written Homework Before Trip - Each lecture may have a homework assignment based on 10 points associated with it.  Comprises 25% of final grade.

3. A Field Notebook - Daily record of your observations during the trip.  Should include observed species, and observations of biological patterns, processes and behaviors.  Must be completed for a satisfactory grade, although does not account for a specific proportion of your final grade.

4. A Course Project - Each student must devise, propose, and complete a project during the time on St. John.  The final project of the project is usually a paper, although you may propose a different format.  A 15 minute oral presentation is also required upon return from St. John, during post-trip lectures.

 

 Some Course Necessities:

        1. Field Journal (notebook)

        2. Binoculars

        3. Hand lens for examining plants and small animals

        4. Mask, fins, and snorkel

This has been a production of George Aghia,

Questions, Comments, Concerns?