Field Courses
Since its opening in 1971, the Gerace Research Centre has provided facilities for teaching field courses on San Salvador. Each year, more than 1200 students from over 80 colleges, universities, and educational organizations participate in Archaeology, Biology, Geology, and Marine Science field courses.
While participation in most of these courses requires an affiliation with the sponsoring organization, there are also several independent field courses that are taught each year and open to the public. Information on these courses can be found below:
Tropical Marine Biology
What: Two-week Tropical Marine Biology Course, credit (3 hours) can be arranged through SUNY-Brockport
When: May 28 - June 12, 2008; Registration is Closed
Where: Gerace Research Centre, located on San Salvador Island, one of the outermost of a chain of some 700 islands that comprise The Bahamas
Who: Advanced Undergraduates and beginning Graduate Students who have an interest in marine biology and ecology
Description: This two-week intensive field program focuses on individual and group discovery of organisms and their relationships in habitats associated with coral reef ecosystems. Students will study the biology, ecology, and related geological and physical processes of five habitats associated with shallow tropical marine ecosystems: patch reef, grass/algae flat, sand flat, rocky/sandy intertidal, and subtidal hard ground. Extensive snorkeling will assist with the observation of diverse tropical marine organisms and habitats, as well as the physical processes that influence them. Daily lectures and lab activities will supplement field experiences.
Course Aims: Students will learn to identify numerous species of corals, fish, invertebrates, and algae. A field notebook will be kept to record observations of organisms and their environments. Field notes will be used to write a summary describing the biological, ecological, physical and geological features and processes in each of the five habitats. In consultation with the instructor, students will design and conduct an observational or comparative study of an aspect of the biology or ecology of the environment near San Salvador and write a research paper comparing their findings to scientific literature on the subject.
Cost: $1,700.00, which covers program fees, room and board at the GRC, books and other printed class material, insurance, and round trip airfare including all taxes between Fort Lauderdale, FL and San Salvador, Bahamas. This cost does not include college credit fees ($675 for undergraduate and $1400 for graduate students through SUNY Brockport) or travel to Fort Lauderdale.
Instructor: Dr. James Haynes, SUNY-Brockport
Registration Materials: Information and Application Packet
Earthwatch Bahamian Reef Survey
Each year, Earthwatch Institute offers several eight-day expeditions to Gerace Research Centre, during which participants assist scientist John Rollino in snorkel surveys of coral reef habitats. To learn more about this program, please visit: Earthwatch Bahamian Reef Survey
Broadreach Marine Biology
Every summer, Broadreach offers a college-accredited program for high school students at the Gerace Research Centre. Through SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and classroom instruction students explore topics including biodiversity, coral bleaching, and marine conservation. For additional information, please visit: Broadreach Marine Biology Accredited
Caribbean Volunteer Expeditions
From March 15-22, 2008, Caribbean Volunteer Expeditions is leading an Elderhostel Program at the Gerace Research Centre. Participants (aged 55 and up) will be assisting archeologist John Winter in his explorations and excavations on the island. For further information, please visit: CVE Archeology Project or Elderhostel Archeology in San Salvador