Tropical Biology on San Salvador Island at the Gerace Research Centre Tentative Dates: May 24-June 4, 2009

Tropical Biology on San Salvador Island involves a field study of marine and terrestrial environments of the outermost island in the Bahamas archipelago. San Salvador's flora and fauna include both native and introduced species, making the island a natural laboratory for studying island biogeography. Marine studies focus on coral reef, sea grass bed, mangrove, beach, and rocky shore communities. Terrestrial studies examine cave, mud flat, sand dune, and upland shrub communities. In addition to their field studies, students experience the enchanting culture of the Bahamian "out-islands."

Prior to the field study on San Salvador, students enroll in a five-week 1-credit course: Bio 319 Oceanic Island Ecology. This series of afternoon- evening seminars introduces the concepts needed for making critical observations on San Salvador. A grade of C- or better in the seminar course is required to participate in the field course (Bio 320 Tropical Biology) on the island. Participants must be good swimmers willing to snorkel in tropical ocean waters.

We fly from Hartford to San Salvador, and stay at the Gerace Research Centre at the north end of the island. The estimated cost for the twelve-day trip is $1,600* including airfare, ground transportation on San Salvador, room, board, facilities fees, boating fees, taxes, and gratuities. Students must provide their own snorkeling gear (mask, fins, snorkel); there are additional costs for SCUBA diving (optional; SCUBA certification required).

One month after the return from San Salvador, students will submit essays integrating the concepts from the seminars at ECSU with the ecological relationships observed on San Salvador.

Note: This course is indended for students majoring in biology;
students who are not biology majors will be considered if space is available.

• One semester hour (Bio 319 Oceanic Island Ecology) in Willimantic
• Three semester hours (Bio 320/520 Tropical Biology) on San Salvador
• Students eligible to take upper-level Bio courses may count the 4-credit Bio 319/320 combination as one of the six upper-level courses for the biology major (note: Bio 320 may be counted only once for the biology major)
• Cost: Approximately $1,600* plus any personal expenses (snacks, souvenirs, diving, etc.)
• Financial aid may be available to ECSU students who qualify; the application deadline for this is Friday, February 5, 2009.

*Final cost may change depending on number of participants or changes to airfares or GRC fees.

This page © Ross E. Koning 1994.

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