I was pleased when I just learned that the Department of Biological Sciences will be offering Tropical Marine Biology (BIOL 3303) during the first summer session. Although the details are not finalized here is what I know right now. The course will meet in Lubbock for 3 - 4 days prior to leaving for Ambergris Caye in Belize. We will spend two weeks at the Belize Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC). Most days will be spent on TREC's boat, the Goliath, which will take us snorkelling (you need to be able to swim to take this course). In addition, we will make a couple of tours to mainland Belize to visit Mayan ruins, the Belize Zoo, and go cave tubing.
The course will focus on the ecology and organismal diversity of tropical marine ecosystems. You will learn to identify corals, fishes, algae, and other invertebrates (and if we get lucky we will maybe see dolphins, sea turtles and a manatee!) and will study tropical communities including sea grass meadows, the mangroves, and the star attraction- coral reefs. We will have written exams and ID exams in the lab and in the field.
Last year the costs were almost $2900 for travel, room and board, all of the field trips, and a couple of meals out. I have not finalized the costs for this year, but I hope that they are in the same ballpark. In addition, you would need to pay tuition and fees for a 3 hour course.
If you are interested in more information about this cours, then please send me an email at
mark.mcginley@ttu.edu. I will work to finalize the details as soon as possible.
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