Silliman Lab : Department of Zoology : University of Florida

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Tropical Marine Ecology : PCB 6927

Course Description: The course is designed to introduce students to the plants and animals found in the marine and terrestrial environments of the Caribbean and to study their adaptations and interactions in the context of community ecology. Fishes, invertebrates, reptiles and marine algae will be the major groups encountered and snorkeling will be used for observation and collection. (SCUBA certification is not required.) Field work will be the main activity and attention will be given to collection methodology, identification, sampling techniques, research design and other useful field skills.

Lectures, lab work and readings will supplement the field work, as will an independent research project for 5 days in the shallow waters surrounding the island of San Salvador, Bahamas. The coral reefs at San Salvador are very rich, quite accessible and easily studied.

A typical day's work may involve visits to two or three field locations, a few lectures and laboratory time. A weekly, 2 hour lecture period in Gainesville just prior to departure will be used for lectures, discussions and to introduce the observation, collection and identification techniques to be employed in the course. Also, a local, overnight field trip will be scheduled to The UF Seahorse Key Marine Lab to begin to introduce the students to field sampling techniques. During the first 5 days spent on San Salvador, the educational emphasis will be focused on visiting all of the 12 or more ecological habitats (e.g. seagrass, mangroves, coral reefs) on the island and to observe the organisms in situ. Following the site visits, there will be discussions about adaptations seen in the field and the significance of these adaptations in the context of morphology, anatomy, physiology, behavior, development and ecology. Another major focus of the course is on the variety of biological interactions that occur on the reefs and their ecological/evolutionary implications.

Although the major theme of the course is biological, it seems appropriate that attention be paid to the significant social, cultural, and historical attractions found on the island. To this end, interactions with the local culture are encouraged, e.g. the opportunity for UF students to teach one afternoon in the local grade school or to take local high school students on educational, marine walks along the shorelines. UF students will also come into contact with individuals conducting current research projects in San Salvador in the fields of geology, anthropology, archaeology, pathology, and conservation. Visiting scientists working at the Center are invited to speak about their areas of expertise when appropriate.

Location: http://www.geraceresearchcentre.com/

Course Info:

Instructor: Dr. Brian Silliman
email: brs@ufl.edu

Office: 410 Carr Hall
Office Hours: TH: 10:45-12:15

Course Syllabus

Application (DUE DATE NOW DEC. 1)

Course Pictures

Daily Schedule

Gerace Center Student Info Packet

GRC Health Form

GRC Student Contract

Sea Horse Key Liability Form