Winter Quarter

University of West Indies
Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory

In January, students travel to Jamaica to study tropical biology at the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory on the north coast of Jamaica. The lab is located on the shore within walking and swimming distances of rich coral reefs and sandy bays interspersed with beds of turtle grass. Courses focus on the tropical environment, including the biology of corals, coastal oceanography, biology of fishes, and terrestrial ecology. Field trips to the mist montane forest of the Blue Mountains and experiencing the Jamaican culture are important parts of the program.

Facilities - Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory (University of the West Indies) is located on the north coast of Jamaica. The laboratory, dormitories, library and dive repair shop overlook tropical vegetation and a protected bay. An offshore fringing coral reef provides superb diving and snorkeling. Boats are available for class diving trips and local buses provide transportation to other parts of the island. Air temperatures will be in the 70° to 80° range. Jamaica has a range of representative tropical terrestrial ecosystems, including mist-montane forests. The island has mountains reaching an elevation of 7,402' with an interesting mix of volcanic ranges and uplifted coral reefs.

Accommodations - Dormitories are located on well kept grounds planted with palm trees and other tropical vegetation. Each room houses four students with a private bath and balcony. Three family-style meals are served in the dining room each day, two on Sunday.

Courses

Tropical Terrestrial Ecology    BIO 1413, BIO 3343    2 credits
Introduces students to the community structure and diversity of terrestrial Jamaica. Includes a trip to the Blue Mountains and shorter field trips to other sites around the island. Dan Bisaccio

Ocean & Coastal Processes II     BIO 1481, BIO 3371     4 credits
An integrated ecosystem approach to the oceanography, ecology, geology, and paleogeology of coral reefs and reef-associated habitats. Lectures, field trips and laboratory exercises introduce students to a wide range of tropical shore environments including mangroves, seagrass beds, and fossil rudist reefs. John Bruno, William Precht, and Jan Witting

Biology of Corals & Coral Reefs     BIO 1477, BIO 3377   
5 credits
Concentrates on reef corals and other tropical reef fauna. Topics include systematics, anatomy, physiology and ecology of corals as well as the ecological importance of coral reefs and reef disturbance in tropical marine ecosystems. Peter Edmunds and Julia Miles

Biology of Fishes     BIO 1475, BIO 3375    4 credits
A field, lecture and laboratory course that examines the systematics, functional morphology, behavioral ecology, and community structure of reef fishes. Field and lab experiments focus on morphology, behavior, and community ecology of reef fishes. Mark Steele

Directed Study in Biology    BIO 1491, BIO 3691    2 credits
Undergraduate and graduate credit for individual research projects on tropical marine biological topics.  Staff

Schedule 2003:
Arrive: January 5
Depart: March 10

Address:
Discovery Bay Marine Lab,
P.O. Box 35  Discovery Bay,
St. Anns, Jamaica, West Indies
(876) 973-2241

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