Tropical Marine Ecology in Belize

Location: South Water Caye, Belize Experience Type: shortTRECs

shortTRECs are offered annually during January, Spring Break, and Summer and are open to Drew students of all majors. Programs range from 2- 8-credits and can be between one and four weeks in length. Each January, the Center for Global Education announces programs to be offered during the following academic year.

About the Program

Travel

Spend spring break on an island off the coast of Belize, exploring a marine reserve that is home to the world’s second-largest barrier reef. Snorkel (and maybe scuba) through diverse ecosystems—mangroves, patch reefs and seagrass beds—that provide critical habitat for many endangered or vulnerable species. Live and work in a field station complex provided by IZE Belize.

Rethink

What are the markers of a healthy (or unhealthy) marine habitat? Which species populate which habitats—and why? How does each species contribute to this delicately balanced marine ecosystem? And how can these questions be answered with biological field research?

Explore

Discover diverse organisms during a night snorkel. Measure the length of seagrass blades or levels of dissolved oxygen in critical habitats. Record and analyze data collected on underwater expeditions, then synthesize your fieldwork observations into several research projects. Working individually and in groups, produce scientific research papers like those published in peer-reviewed journals.

Connect

Fieldwork experience and research skills are valued across the sciences. This program provides excellent preparation for graduate study and is especially relevant to careers in marine biology, natural resources management, environmental sustainability, ecology and animal behavior.

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum GPA of 2.0
Good academic and disciplinary standing
Open to all majors
Prerequisites: Ecology and Evolution (BIOL 150); Diversity of Life: Animals, plants and Microbes (BIOL 160)
Able to demonstrate basic swimming skills