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Coral Reef Ecology
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Instructor:
Carlos Ormond, Ph. D. student |
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This course
is designed to promote the desire for not only discovery and advanced
understanding of coral reef
ecosystems from an integrated ecological perspective but also an appreciation
and understanding of the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) culture.
In addition to learning coral reef ecosystem dynamics, organism identification,
and experimental design, this course will also investigate human dimensions
in coral reef ecosystems, both past and present. To compliment the course
and for the pure enjoyment of learning a new language, students will
be taught a “Spanish for Survival” at the beginning of the session.
By taking an integrated multidisciplinary
approach, this course will demonstrate the importance of melding traditional
approaches to understanding and investigating coral reef ecosystems
with the human dimension. A large component of the course will involve
field and community work, complimented by lectures and discussions on
daily course readings. The course will require the completion of group
assignments, as well as an individual research project that may be as
much anthropological as it is ecological in theory. Therefore, the course
will not only be of interest to those of you in the natural
sciences but also those of
you from the social sciences.
NOTE: Dive certification is not
necessary to enroll in this course, but what is required is
an attraction to the ocean and a comfort in being in it. For SCUBA-certified
(PADI, NAUI, or SSI certified) students who will be diving, there is
a $100 Lab Fee with this course, which covers dive tank, air and dive
weight rental. All students will require snorkel equipment (mask and
fins) and those with SCUBA certification are expected to bring their
own BCD, regulator, and most importantly proof of certification. There
is the possibility of renting dive equipment as well as receiving dive
certification from the local dive shops. If this is something that interests
you, please contact me, Carlos Ormond, for more information.
Required
Texts:
Humann, P. and N. Deloach Reef Coral Identification:
Humann, P. and N. Deloach Reef Creature
Identification:
Humann, P. and N. Deloach Reef Fish Identification:
Recommended
Texts:
Deloach. N. Reef Fish Behaviour:
Other
Important Texts:
Compagno, L., Dando, M. and S. Fowler. Sharks
of the World.
Aronson,
R. B. (ed.). 2006. Geological Approaches to Coral Reef Ecology.
Springer,
Birkeland, C. (ed.) 1997. Life
and Death of Coral Reefs. Springer,
Gotelli,
N. and A. M. Ellison.
Lectures
and Laboratory/Field Work
Lectures
will most often be held in the morning starting at
Evaluation
Students
will be evaluated on their active participation in the class and in
the field; on reaction paper assignments from daily readings; on discussion
paper assignments to help students work towards their research project;
on a research proposal; on a final research paper; and lastly, on an
oral presentation.
Additional
Course Information
Grading
Up to 6 units of credit will be given, 3 for the class work portion
and 3 for the fieldwork portion. The instructor will provide a breakdown
of points earned and final letter grade to your academic institution.
Please arrange for credit through your department or academic advisor.
Previous Student References
Below
is a list of students who have taken this course with me. You are welcome
to contact them regarding this course and their experience at ITEC.
Ariel
Sullivan
BSc
in Biology (currently completing)
Phone: 250 - 388 – 5532 (home)
Email:
ariels@uvic.ca
MSc
in Quantitative Biology (expected graduation August
2009)
Phone: 817-999-1589 (cellular); 817-272-1499 (lab)
Email: mcginty@uta.edu
BSc
in Biology (completed Spring 2008)
Phone:
404-936-7063
Email:
bluemike1@yahoo.com
Further Inquiries
The instructor welcomes those with additional questions
or in need of more detailed information.
sfu.ca