TROPICAL BIOLOGY:  BELIZE                  DR. POHLEY

                                                                                    DR. COLBURN-ALSOP

3 Credits                 Winterterm 2004 Syllabus                      Office:  Barnes 220, Main 309

                                                                        Ext.  8304, 8257

                                                                                                Wpohley@franklincollege.edu

                                                                                                Scolburnalsop@franklincollege.edu

 

The class will meet 9:30 AM‑11:40 AM, MTWR for the first, second, and fourth week, Jan. 17‑24 we will be in Belize.  There will be assignments during several afternoons. Students should expect to spend considerable time studying/reading while not in class.

 

Textbook:  Snorkeling Guide to Marine Life.  Humann, P., and N. DeLoach.  New World Publications.

 

Readings:  Packet of readings provided.

 

Audiovisual Materials:  Reef Fish Videotape (compiled by instructor), Reef Fish Identification , interactive CD, Reef Creature and Reef Coral Identification , interactive CD.  These materials are available for loan during the class.  Students wishing to purchase them can get the information from the instructor.  They are produced by New World Publications.

 

The course will provide students with a basic understanding of tropical ecosystems with emphasis on the barrier coral reef ecosystem.  The culture of modern Belize as well as that of the Mayan civilization will also be studied.  We will discuss issues involved with international travel.  Students will also learn some basic guidelines for improving their photographic skills as well as the basics of web page design and construction.

 

Course requirements:

 

Week 1 & 2 ‑ Through lecture and out of class assignments, students will learn about the tropical ecosystems they will encounter and will be required to learn a number of organisms they are likely to encounter during the field portion of trip.  They will also learn about the Mayan civilization and the country of Belize.  Some time will be spent discussing travel photography and web page design.

 

Week 3 ‑ Belize, C.A. ‑ During our stay, students are expected to act responsibly and obey instructions given by the course instructors as well as our hosts in Belize.  Students acting irresponsibly will have their grade penalized and may, at the discretion of the faculty, be sent home early at their expense.  During our stay, students will be expected to keep a field journal of their experiences and a list of the dominant species of organisms observed.

 

Week 4 ‑ Students are expected to be active participants in the design and production of a

web page, power point presentation, or other activity arranged in advance with the professor.

 

Course Evaluation:

 

This is a graded course and the course grade will be based on performance on quizzes and the journal as well as participation in class activities and field activities.  While in Belize irresponsible behavior or failure to follow instructions will negatively impact the grade. 


 

 

 

 

 

                                                  TROPICAL BIOLOGY:  BELIZE

                                                   Tentative Class Schedule - 2004

 

Monday, Jan. 5

Introductory comments, web page examples.  Distribution of reading and study materials.  Notes on travel safety and packing.  Ecosystem introduction.

 

Tuesday, Jan. 6

Overview of Tropical Ecosystems, Introduction to Coral Reefs and Reef Fishes

 

Wednesday, Jan. 7

Continue Reef ecology

 

Thursday, Jan. 8

Reef creatures, coral organisms and other invertebrates

 

Monday, Jan. 12

Tropical terrestrial ecology

Travel photography - Tips and Techniques

 

Tuesday, Jan. 13

Mayan history and culture

 

Wednesday, Jan. 14

Review of basic concepts, fish and invertebrate identification

 

Thursday, Jan. 15

Evaluation of students= knowledge of tropical ecosystems and Mayan civilization

 

Saturday, Jan. 17 -

   Saturday, Jan. 24                   Travel to Belize (see itinerary on separate page)

 

Monday, Jan. 22 -                    Recap of course, web page design and construction or other

    Thursday, Jan. 25                projects.

 

 

                              


 

 

 

 

BELIZE ITINERARY - January 2004

 

MORNING                             AFTERNOON                                    EVENING

 

Day 1               Leave Indy                               Arrive Belize City and drive to           Explore

                                                                        Clarissa Falls in the Cayo

                                                                        District                                                

                                   

Day 2               Visit Mayan Ruins at Xunantunich, the Panti Medicine Trail        Free   

                                                                                                                                    

 

Day 3               Subterranean River Tubing, Lunch at Jaguar Paw,                    Free

                        Visit Belize Zoo                                                                                                                                     

Day 4               Drive to Belize City                   Snorkel                                                Evening free

            Fly to Amergris Caye                lagoon                                             to explore island                                     

Day 5               Snorkel Mexico Rocks – Patch Reef  Ecosystem                                  Beach

                                                            All Day                                                 barbeque       

                                                                                                                                    Chicken Drop                                                                                                                                         

Day 6               Snorkel Tuffy                            Visit Caye Caulker                               Night snorkel

                                                                                                                                                           

Day 7               Snorkel Hol Chan and Shark-Ray Alley                                                Beach serine

                                                                                                                                                            

Day 8               Free time                                  Depart for home                                  Arrive Indy

                                                                                                                                                            

 

This itinerary is very tentative, we will probably do all the activities listed, as time permits and the order of the activities will depend on weather, tides, etc. 

Some evenings we will meet for about one hour after dinner to discuss the day=s activities and brief you on the activities planned for the next day.  The remainder of many evenings will be available for you to explore.