CORAL REEF ECOLOGY

CORAL REEF ECOLOGY
3 Undergraduate or Graduate Credits from the Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University.

OVERVIEW
The spectacular coral reefs around Little Cayman Island are the classroom for this field-based short course. The Coral Reef Ecology class explores major ecological themes that include community organization and biodiversity of reef organisms, ecologic successions, adaptive strategies, trophic structure, and reef zonation. Caribbean coral reefs have been under enormous stress over the past decade and scientists are predicting that 60% of the world's reefs will disappear in our lifetime. Students spend each day in the field and participate in evening discussions. Field studies reinforce the complex dynamics that are important in tropical ecosystems and we will examine the primary stressors resulting in the major changes being reported on reefs around the world.

DESTINATION SETTING
Come and discover Nature's most exotic undersea environment at the new Little Cayman Research Center. The field station, which overlooks the Caribbean Sea, has dormitory style rooms, serves three full meals each day, and is fully equipped for biological and ecological studies. This small remote tropical island is an excellent example of a small developing island nation where the local human population is less than 150 people. Little Cayman is consistently ranked as the best diving destination in the Caribbean because of the stunning reef walls, shallow reef structures, and large undersea life, including sea turtles, and the endangered Nassau grouper. The island has the largest breeding colony of Red Footed Boobies, the endangered West Indian Whistling duck, and an endemic iguana that grows to over 3 feet long.

APPLICATION TIMETABLE
November 1st, however, admission is rolling and spaces do fill up. Applying early is best.

REGISTRATION & AFFILIATED UNIVERSITY
Undergraduate and graduate course credit is offered through the Rutgers University Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences and the Rutgers Study Abroad (Cayman Islands) program. Credit is transferable. All registration requirements and payment for this course must be processed through Rutgers Study Abroad program.

CONTACT
Students may also email Rutgers at RU_Abroad@email.rutgers.edu or call 732-932-7787. Additional course information can be requested from the professor at info@reefresearch.org.

COST OF THE PROGRAM
$2300: For in-state New Jersey undergraduates and graduate students.
$2600: For non-New Jersey undergraduate and graduate students.