Want to learn more about Conservation Biology, Behavioral Ecology or Marine Mammalogy?  Here's your chance to join our research team for two intense weeks of total immersion into the world of animal behavior, ecology & conservation, Antillean manatees, bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, coral reefs, mangroves and sea grass in Belize! Course Overview:  This is a total immersion, experiential learning, field course where you will live, work, and study from a marine science field station on a pristine, private island off the coast of Belize.  Data collected during the course will contribute to our long-term manatee/dolphin research project established in 1998.  You will learn through a variety of learning activities, literature review and discussion, independent and team projects, and actual field research.  Be prepared to rise with the sun and spend 8-10 hours outdoors, including 3-4 hours on the water each day learning about the tropical Caribbean environment as we explore a maze of mangrove islands, seagrass beds, and coral patches searching for elusive manatees and charismatic dolphins. Two days of extra-curricular activities are included:  (1) diving or snorkeling at Turneffe Atoll, and (2) exploring an ancient Maya City.  Additional, optional SCUBA dives are available as time and weather permits, but additional costs are involved. LOCATION: Spanish Bay Conservation & Research Center at Hugh Parkey's Belize Adventure Lodge, http://belizeadventurelodge.com/ (Passport required, immunizations as recommended by CDC) COSTS:  US$2995 includes housing, meals, most tips, field trips, ground & water transfer fees, research & materials fees; DOES NOT include airfare, books, extra tips, or credit hours. OPTIONAL CREDIT HOURS:  The course provides 100 experiential learning and lecture hours in the field, plus approximately 35 hours of pre-fielding research and preparation; at least 45 of the 135 total hours include direct instruction by faculty.  This is comparable to a 3 credit hour university course and meets the US DOE criteria in 34 CFR, §600.2.  You must make arrangements IN ADVANCE with BOTH your advising faculty and Dr. Self-Sullivan for credit to be earned through your home university.  Credit hour fees must be paid directly to your school and you must fulfill any study abroad requirements of your school.  This course is divided into 4 major components: lectures and learning activities (~1 hour per day), independent reading and assignments (~2 hour per day), data collection in the field (~3 hours per day), project development & implementation (~2 hours per day), presentation of pre-field research (~1 hour per day), and debate/group discussion of reading materials (~1 hour per day). DEADLINES: Early registration & and deposit due March 15, 2011; regular registration & deposit due April 1st, 2011; balance due April 15th, 2011.  Late registration (if space available) incurs a $100 late fee.  If you are registering through your home university, earlier deadlines may exist—see your academic advisor! MINIMUM / MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 8-24 students FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT DR. CARYN SELF-SULLIVAN, PI, Email: caryns@sirenian.org  |  Phone: 540.287.8207VISIT OUR FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE:  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=370432825564 DOWNLOAD BRIEFING AT http://sirenian.org/2011BelizeBriefing.pdf