 | | Little Cayman Island is one of the least developed islands in the Caribbean, harboring reef systems of remarkable biological diversity including over 350 species of fish, 37 species of coral, and shallow lagoon, wall, and deep ocean (several thousand meters) habitats that are all within swimming distance of each other and the Little Cayman Research Centre field station. |  |
   
|  |  | You'll be a part of active research efforts by the Central Caribbean Marine Institute(CCMI)to collect data and monitor activity in one of the world's most beautiful coral reefs. Throughout the Caribbean, coral reefs are suffering. The mission of CCMI is to study what is happening and to recommend solutions for sustaining marine biodiversity. CCMI needs your help!
| Course Highlights: | Central Caribbean Marine Institute  | Although coral heads resemble plants or rocks, they are actually tiny marine animals that have the power to create huge reefs. You will be trained in coral identification and fundamental marine biological field techniques (including the AGRRA protocol) while working directly with CCMI scientists. This is an incredible opportunity for research field experience. If you have previous field experience and scuba certification, you'll quickly become a very valuable member of the research team. However, if you don't have that experience, there are shallow reef data collection projects that sorely need your attention! Ask us for more details about the kind of experience you can expect depending on your training to date. Applying early is best! This program is highly selective so that we can find a mix of students and levels of experience to advance the coral reef research goals. Don't hesitate to apply as early as you can! | | | | The program goals are: (1) to increase the interest in students, scientists, and other professionals in coral reef science and conservation; (2) to enhance research training; (3) to provide scientifically usable data to assist CCMI in its ecosystem monitoring studies and its coral disease research and conservation efforts. |
| Dates | | | Application timetable: | | | Applications should be received no later than March 1, although admission is rolling and spaces do fill up. While we will accept applications after March 1, depending on space availability, applying early is best. | | Summer Session (4 credits) | | | July 12, 2008 to August 3, 2008 |
| Winter Session | | | 3 credits: Jan 2, 2008 to Jan 9, 2008 | | | | | |
| Cost (Summer 2008) | | | New Jersey residents: | $4,200 | | Out-of-state residents: | $4,800 | | Non-students: | $5,000 | Tuition, fees, housing, food, excursions, and basic medical insurance are included in this fee.
Travel to Little Cayman Island, major medical insurance, and all personal expenses are not included in this fee. Diving gear is not included but is available for rent at LCRC.
For more information on program costs, please click here
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