MAY TERM

Lycoming College offers a Tropical Marine Biology Course

at the

Hofstra University Marine Laboratory

in

Jamaica, West Indies 
 

BIOLOGY 329 Tropical Marine Biology:  A field oriented course where students study the creatures of the fringing reefs, barrier reefs, lagoons, turtlegrass beds and mangrove swamps at a tropical marine laboratory.  Studies will include survey of plankton, invertebrates and fish as well as the physical and chemical characteristics that influence their distribution. 
 

May 10 – 17:  Full day classes (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) at Lycoming College.

May  8 – 29:  Hofstra University Marine Laboratory at St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica. 
 

Join Dr. Zimmerman’s 16^th expedition to the Caribbean.  Study coral reefs, rocky and sandy beaches, tide pools, mangrove swamps and seagrass beds.  A staff of marine biologists led by Dr. Zimmerman will travel from Williamsport, PA  to the Hofstra University Marine Laboratory established by Dr. Eugene Kaplan, author of the Peterson Field Guide to Coral Reefs of the Caribbean and Florida and the Peterson Field Guide to Southern and Caribbean Seashores.  Dr. Zimmerman was Resident Director at the marine lab in Jamaica during his 1989 sabbatical leave and also summer of 1993. 
 

The laboratory’s boats will deliver us to the calm, sheltered coral reef lying just offshore.  You will be snorkeling among the fishes in water almost as clear as air.  We will watch the complex territorial behavior of damselfishes in tide pools, snorkel into a cave full of bats, trudge through mangrove swamps, watch a jade green octopus as it slithers over rocks in knee-deep water on a night field trip in the shallows, where every overturned rock reveals brittle stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and crabs.  Intertidal zonation is extraordinary, with no fewer than 8 snails and 3 chiton species precisely distributed on each rock. 
 

You will use oceanographic instruments to analyze water quality.  You will learn how to use a sextant to determine your position as members of your team obtain bottom samples of water and sediment.  We will teach you how to snorkel.  Scuba diving is available at a modest extra cost to certified divers.  (There is a dive shop and compressors at the lab.) 
 

Although not air conditioned, the laboratory’s hotel has large, airy rooms with private baths (double occupancy).  Three good Jamaican-style meals will be prepared and served family style.  The laboratory is located near a small town on the north coast of Jamaica and is secluded to insure privacy.  However, a 15 minute ride takes you to Dunn’s River Falls.  Jamaica’s premier tourist attraction, where you can climb the 600 ft. high falls in the water, led by a guide.  Ocho Rios, with its many hotels and bazaar, is only 18 miles away.  The course is intense and only a few afternoons will be available for tourism.

TENTATIVE EXPENSES

(As of September 2003) 
 

In Jamaica:   Room/Board – 3 meals served family style at lab   770.00

15% Jamaican Government Consumption Tax   115.50

Lab Fee (To Hofstra University)     125.00

Jamaican Room Tax          5.00

Airport bus transfer to lab in Jamaica      20.00

Jamaica Departure Tax        30.00

Air Fare (Subject to change)     570.00

Other Expenses*       180.00

TOTAL              1,931.00

*Boat fees, van rentals for trips in Jamaica, ($100.00) airport storage of cars (Philadelphia), miscellaneous expenses such as tips for guides, entrance fees to Dunn’s River, plantation tour, tip for hotel (in Jamaica), these fees are also subject to change. 
 

Plus at Lycoming:  Full course credit (1 unit – 4 credits)

May Term Tuition:      1,740.00

OR May Term Audit:        435.00 
 

Cost of 1 week of room and board in Lycoming dorms (if you use them).

Room (double):           94.00

(132.00 if single room or 107 for apartment) 
 
 Totals: 
 

Jamaica trip, full tuition (assumes you’re living off-campus for classes at Lycoming)   3671.00

OR

 Jamaica trip, audit (assumes you’re living off-campus for classes at Lycoming)    2356.00

OR

 Jamaica trip, full tuition, double board for classes at Lycoming      3765.00

OR

 Jamaica trip, audit, double room for classes at Lycoming      2460.00 
 

NOTES: 
 

1. Above costs do not include any personal spending money.

2. Scuba diving certification is not a requirement for this course.  However, we will be snorkeling in the water every day and

you will need to purchase your own mask, fins and snorkel.  If you wish to scuba dive (you may be able to rent equipment if certified, B.C. $5.50 per dive and regulator $5.50 per dive).  However, I recommend that you rent a BC and regulator from a local dive shop and bring them with you.  Scuba divers should budget an extra $160.00 to cover 6 dives (day dives at $25 each, night dive at $35 – includes tank, wts. and boat rental). 

3. To get into the country, you will need either a passport or an original birth certificate validated with a raised seal, NOT a Xerox copy.  If you use a birth certificate, you must also present some sort of photo ID (driver’s license is O.K.).

4. Above costs do not include Kaplan’s text books:  a) Peterson Field Guide to Coral Reefs of the Caribbean and Florida Coast,  

2. Peterson Field Guide to Southern and Caribbean Seashores.  These books are required of all students.

1. Deposit:  $600.00 due by December 14, 2003.  All checks should be made payable to Lycoming College.  (We must pay for airline tickets early, plus put a deposit down toward the lab.)  Be sure to tell the Business Office to add the money to the Jamaica trip account.

2. Remainder of Jamaica fees ($1331.00) due March 1, 2004.  No refunds after this date.  All Hofstra lab fees must be

paid one month prior to trip.  Be sure to remind office to add to Jamaica trip account. 

3. Lycoming tuition ($1740.00) and room and board fees (depends on your plan – see above) due April 1, 2004.

See Dr. Zimmerman (office in Heim Building, Room 120; office phone:  321-4185 or home:  433-3816) if you have any questions.  He will be glad to show you pictures from previous trips or see the bulletin board by his office.