From pdh@u.washington.edu Wed Apr 1 17:53:24 1998 Received: from jason02.u.washington.edu (root@jason02.u.washington.edu [140.142.76.8]) by lists.u.washington.edu (8.8.4+UW97.07/8.8.4+UW97.05) with ESMTP id RAA30764 for ; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 17:53:23 -0800 Received: from saul5.u.washington.edu (pdh@saul5.u.washington.edu [140.142.83.3]) by jason02.u.washington.edu (8.8.4+UW97.07/8.8.4+UW97.05) with ESMTP id RAA23646 for ; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 17:53:22 -0800 Received: from localhost (pdh@localhost) by saul5.u.washington.edu (8.8.4+UW97.07/8.8.4+UW97.04) with SMTP id RAA00318 for ; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 17:53:22 -0800 (PST) Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 17:53:21 -0800 (PST) From: Department of Zoology Reply-To: Department of Zoology To: consbio@u.washington.edu Subject: Course: Reef Biodiversity/Conservation Genetics, Bahamas Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: QUOTED-PRINTABLE ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 01 Apr 1998 From: lopez@hboi.edu Subject: New Course Announcement: Biodiversity/Conservation Genetics=20 of Caribbean Coral Reef Community, Andros Island, Bahamas The course =93Biodiversity and Conservation Genetics Studies of a Caribbean Coral Reef Community=94 (BIOL 575, 4 credits) will be taught at the Bahamas Environmental Research Center (BERC), on Andros Island, Bahamas, Ju= ne 1- 12, 1998. =20 Due to the ongoing deterioration of natural habitats and their resident flora and fauna worldwide, the need for characterizing and preserv= ing existing biological diversity has reached urgent levels. This course inten= ds to immerse students in the fundamentals of biodiversity and conservation genetics research by way of in situ habitat surveys, taxonomic and phylogenetic assessments, and practical demonstrations of current molecular genetic techniques and analyses being applied in inter- and intraspecific ecological, evolutionary and systematics studies. Major organismal focus= =20 will be on keystone marine invertebrate fauna of Andros reefs (third largest barrier reef in the world) and surrounding habitats (mangroves, blue holes). Special topics will encompass biodiversity in the deep-sea and natural products biosynthesis. =20 SCUBA diving will be offered as an optional activity but will not be required.=20 The instructor will be Dr. Jose Lopez (George Mason University, New Century College and Division of Biomedical Research, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution). Enrollment is limited by the instructor, and a $200.00 non-refundable deposit is necessary to reserve a place in the course. George Mason University and The College of The Bahamas jointly operate the BERC on Andros Island, Commonwealth of The Bahamas. BERC provides classroo= m and laboratory space, equipment, vehicles and boats in support of courses offered by both institutions, their graduate students and independent researchers. BERC is also a member of the Organization of Biological Field Stations. Located in Staniard Creek, a Bahamian out-island, the BERC opera= tes as a member of the local community, providing opportunities for cultural an= d information exchange between visiting students and residents. Situated within minutes of one of the world=92s largest coral reefs, unique blue holes, mangrove estuaries, and the deep waters of the =93Tongue of the Ocean=94, BERC offers access to thriving, relatively pristine tropical ecosystems. Other courses offered include field biology, microbial ecology, botany, marine ecology, field mapping techniques, cultural anthropology, and art. A typical class is 3 or 4 semester credits, has 10-17 people and lasts two weeks on the Island. Courses are open to students outside of GMU and Virginia at low tuition rates. For this course, the total cost of about $2,090.00 (VA residents) o= r $2,185.00 (out of state) will include all tuition, transportation to the island from Ft. Lauderdale, all food, lodging, and transportation in land rovers and boats costs. Please bring your own dive or snorkeling gear. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a graded GMU transcript. =20 Please investigate our web sites: www.ido.gmu.edu/andros and www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/8169 or contact us at=20 The Center for Field Studies, George Mason University, MSN 5D3, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444; lbrow4@osf1.gmu.edu or Lopez@hboi.edu; Dr. Luther Brown , Director (703) 993-1436 for more information. .