BIOL 3940: Caribbean Marine Biology (next offering spring semester 2025)

Statement of Purpose:
This program is designed to provide students with a coral reef biology and aquatic animal and ecosystem field experience. It will involve on-site lectures by local experts and extensive snorkeling/diving activities in a variety of marine habitats. Students also learn about and participate in a coral restoration project.

General Information Instructors: Prof. Don Sakaguchi of the Genetics, Development and Cell Biology Dept (GDCB) and Director of Biology and Genetics Undergraduate Programs. Assoc. Prof. Kim Moss of the Art and Visual Culture Dept and Director of the Scientific Illustration and Visualization program (formerly BPMI). Please contact Dr. Sakaguchi (dssakagu@iastate.edu)* to have your name placed on our email list.* Course Number and Credits: BIOL 3940 A (seminar, 1 credit) and BIOL 3940 B (field trip, 1 credit). Students must enroll in both 3940A and B. These credits count toward your advanced biology coursework. Dates for field trip (BIOL 3940 B) during spring break: March 15-22, 2025. Click here to apply Grading: Grading for BIOL 3940 A and 3940 B is S/F. Evaluation will be based upon student participation, completion of assignments, submission of a research paper on some aspect of marine biology and oral presentation of research topic. Informational Meetings: Sept. 9 (Monday), 4:00 – 5:00 PM in Room 145 Bessey Hall Sept. 10 (Tuesday), 4:00 – 5:00 PM in Room 145 Bessey Hall Sept. 16 (Monday), , 5:30 – 6:30 PM in Room 1330 ATRB Sept. 17 (Tuesday), 5:30 – 6:30 PM in Room 1330 ATRB Checkout a recent article about this course/field trip: Depth of knowledge What’s it like to participate in this course? Hear from a past student, Leslie Delgado, on a podcast episode about the program on the “To Infinity and Abroad” channel.	BIO 3940 video slide show by Aubrey Brouillette, BIO 3940 alum. ISU BIOL 3940 students cleaning coral trees at the RIMS Coral Nursery.
Curriculum: Curriculum planned will include lectures on coral reef ecology, marine invertebrates and fish, dolphins, health considerations while traveling abroad, Honduran culture and history, climatology of Central America and the Bay Islands. Program at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) will include seminars and labs in marine biology and ecology, coral reef biology, reef invertebrates and fishes, and marine mammals. One side trip to a local village on Roatan Island is planned for one afternoon. Coral restoration project: ISU BIO 3940 students cleaning off the coral trees.	Location: Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) at Anthony's Key Resort on Roatan - Bay Islands, Honduras. Roatan is approximately 60 kilometres (37 mi) long, and less than 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) across at its widest point. Roatan is on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere (2nd largest in the world), stretching over 1,000 km from the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula down to the Bay Islands of Honduras. The primary objective of RIMS is preservation of Roatan's natural resources through education and research. Ariel view of Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) at Anthony's Key Resort.
Course Requirements: Students must possess an exceptionally strong desire to learn more about marine science and the marine environment. Students should have successfully completed at least one year of college-level biology. Students must be very comfortable in an aquatic environment (i.e. extensive marine activities: snorkeling and/or SCUBA diving). SCUBA certification is NOT a requirement. Students must be capable of participating in 2-3 open water activities over the course of 12 hrs. (each activity requiring 30-75 minutes). If you have questions about these course requirements please contact the course instructors.	Accommodations: RIMS guests are housed in quad occupancy louvered wooden bungalows overlooking the lagoon reefs. Each has a ceiling fan, 24-hour electricity, and a bathroom, including hot water shower; three ample meals a day are served (food has been described as excellent by past participants).
Estimated Program Fee (subject to change): $4,660 (subject to change) includes roundtrip airfare, lodging, meals at Anthony's Key (breakfast, lunch & dinner), in-country arrangements, diving and snorkeling, RIMS Marine Biology Program. RIMS marine biology program, two dives/snorkeling daily, one-night dive/snorkeling, RIMS lectures on coral reef biology and dolphins, educational dolphin platform session, dolphin snorkel, tips for baggage handling, housekeeping service, waiters, chefs, boat captain, divemaster, and boat. Many students are eligible for study abroad scholarships through their College. Applicants should apply as soon as possible. Other Fees $50 Study Abroad administrative fee charged by Study Abroad Center in 3224 MU (charged directly to U-bill), ~$13 for trip insurance (charged directly to U-bill). Out of Pocket Expenses $165 Passport and mailing ~$200 Personal expenses (some meals, souvenirs, toiletries, cell phone fees, visa, vaccines and preventative medications, etc.) For those interested in SCUBA certification (additional fees are associated with SCUBA class and materials (Scuba certification with open-water dives and rental of scuba/snorkeling gear). Note: The program fee does not include: SCUBA class and materials, SCUBA certification, and rental of SCUBA/snorkeling gear, Study Abroad fees (indicated under Other ISU fees), vaccinations, immunizations and preventive medicines, travel insurance, and other incidental expenses that you may incur. Additional information and Program Application available here. COVID-19 Note: By accepting applications for this study abroad program, our intent is to offer this program as proposed. However, if the COVID-19 situation does not improve, and if travel restrictions are not lifted, this program will not be offered as planned. Applying for this study abroad program through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is risk-free. If the program is cancelled, you will not be held financially responsible for the program fee.	RIMS Services: Dry and wet laboratories. A large air conditioned classroom with A/V equipment Specimen collections and reference library. Tours and use of Roatan Museum that chronicles and displays the cultural and archaeological history of the region. One all purpose dive boat with guides, use of tanks, weights and belts. Vehicles for transport with guides to terrestrial sites (1 trip). Recompression chamber and medical clinic (doctor on call 24-hours). Recreational services and facilities of adjacent AKR. Escorted round-trip transfer from airport to Institute.
	Interesting and helpful links: National Oceanic and Atmosphereic Administration - Coral Reef Information System (CoRIS) Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) International Coral Reef Information Network (ICRIN) ReefBase Reef Check Project AWARE Foundation Information about Roatan Island Anthony's Key Resort and Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences CDC Home Travel Information Page CDC Travel Information: Mexico and Central America Information on sea temperature around Roatan Information on the weather in Bay Islands