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Academic Program

The CIEE Study Center in Bonaire began as a summer program in 2005. The semester program began in 2006 and is open to biology majors who have completed an introductory biology sequence (2 semesters) and an upper level biology course such as ecology, invertebrate zoology, marine biology, vertebrate zoology, ichthyology, or the equivalent. With its setting in the southern Caribbean sea, the program provides a unique, integrated academic experience involving class work, field research, and lab research and offers a full semester of upper-level courses for biology majors. As requirements vary between schools, students should contact their study abroad office for course equivalents and credit toward their degree. All courses are taught in English.

What You'll Learn

The goal of the Tropical Marine Ecology and Conservation program is to offer students an interdisciplinary learning experience that stresses the interconnectedness of tropical ecosystems and explores how global issues are affecting coral reefs. Specifically, the program offers students a comprehensive and complex view of the many facets of conservation, marine ecology, and scientific methods through an in-depth look at issues ranging from cultural heritage to natural resource management while placed in a tropical marine setting.

Academic Culture

This program is offered for CIEE students only and contains extensive experiential components. The program integrates lectures, field experience, student group work, and readings. Professors prepare students in the classroom and accompany them on field trips. Diving is an integral part of the program, and given the number of dives and island excursions required, students should expect an intense, yet rewarding experience. Emphasis is placed on hands-on field observation of ecological processes, as well as human-nature interactions and their application to the conservation of natural and cultural resources.

Physis: Journal of Marine Science is the scientific journal produced each semester by CIEE students. Each student’s Independent Research Project results are included in the Journal.

To learn more about what happens on site at the CIEE Study Center in Bonaire, please visit www.cieebonaire.org.

Nature of Classes

Participants take classes with other CIEE students only.

CIEE Language Commitment

At all program locations where English is not the primary language, CIEE encourages participants to use the local language whenever possible.

Internship

RESEARCH:

Physis: Journal of Marine Science is the scientific journal produced each semester by CIEE students. Each student’s Independent Research Project results are included in the Journal. To view past issues, visit
www.ciee.org/study.

Grading System

Student learning is assessed through quizzes, written exams, laboratory reports, a detailed field notebook, presentations, and participation. Letter grades of A, B, C, D, and F are given with pluses and minuses.

Program Requirements

Students are required to take all of the courses offered: Coral Reef Ecology, Cultural and Environmental History of Bonaire, Tropical Marine Conservation Biology, Independent Research Project in Marine Biology and Ecology, Advanced Scuba, and Marine Ecology Field Research Methods.

Credit Description

Total recommended credit is 17 semester/25.5 quarter hours.

Contact hours range from 15 to 60 hours and recommended credit is 1–4 semester/1.5–6 quarter hours for each course. See individual course descriptions for details.

Courses

BIOL 3001 BONA/INDE 3003 BONA
Independent Research in Marine Biology and Ecology
Students carry out a project in a topic of their choice in one of the subject areas: coral reef ecology, human ecology, marine conservation management, scientific diving, or another subject matter accepted by the instructors. The project culminates in a research paper that is published in the CIEE journal Physis: Journal of Marine Science and a presentation of their projects in a public forum. Students learn the basic steps of the independent research process: finding a topic, formulating a research question and seeking answers, verbalizing research findings, and presenting findings to an audience. Contact hours: 60. Recommended credit: 4 semester/6 quarter hours. Instructors: Dr. Rita Peachey and Dr. Eva Toth

ECOL 3001 BONA
Coral Reef Ecology
This course introduces students to basic ecological principles such as competition, diversity, symbiosis, disturbance, adaptation, reproduction, and trophic relationships, as well as basic identification of the major taxa living in coral reef ecosystems. Students also examine the importance of sea grass and mangrove ecosystems. In-water observations and research accompany the majority of the lectures and are essential to the learning process. Contact hours: 60. Recommended credit: 4 semester/6 quarter hours. Instructor: Prof. Caren Eckrich

ECOL 3003 BONA
Cultural and Environmental History of Bonaire
A strong conservation ethic has been developed on the island of Bonaire, which has a distinctive and interesting multicultural heritage. The Cultural and Environmental History of Bonaire investigates the environmental and cultural changes in Bonaire from pre-history through the present. Bonaire is examined from a historical vantage point, including an examination of its indigenous roots and the impact of colonization, slavery, the salt industry, and tourism on the island. Bonaire’s ongoing social, political, and environmental issues are examined in order to help students deepen their insights into the interplay between culture and environment. Topics include sustainable development, eco-spirituality, environmental valuation, consumerism, natural resources and violence, and the precautionary principle. Contact hours: 30. Recommended credit: 2 semester/3 quarter hours. Instructor: Dr. Rita Peachey

ENVI 3002 BONA/MARI 3003 BONA
Tropical Marine Conservation Biology
This course examines the properties of tropical ecosystems; the fundamental relationships between species; the dynamic biological, ecological, physical, and chemical properties of the marine environment; marine animal ecology; the management challenges the marine environment poses; the human impacts on marine species and ecosystems; the role of marine reserves and protected areas in conservation; and the role of participatory management in conservation. Examples and case studies are drawn from around the Caribbean, particularly Bonaire, to illustrate concepts in the conservation and management of tropical marine ecosystems and species. Topics include: invasive species, restoration ecology, overfishing, reserve design, collaborative and community-based management, population ecology, coral disease, and nutrient enrichment. The class participates in collaborative field research with the Bonaire National Marine Park and Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire. Contact hours: 45. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours. Instructor: Dr. Eva Toth

MARI 3004 BONA
Advanced Scuba
Students expand their understanding of scuba diving beyond the recreational level in order to participate fully in the scientific dive program in Bonaire. Students learn techniques that improve their diving skills, and they learn to respond to medical emergencies in or out of the water. By completing the course, students gain certifications in Open Water Diving, Advanced Open Water Diving, Rescue Diving, Emergency First Responder, and Diver’s Alert Network Oxygen First Aid. Contact hours: 15. Recommended credit: 1 semester/1.5 quarter hours. Instructor: Prof. Caren Eckrich

MARI 3005 BONA
Marine Ecology Field Research Methods
Students apply internationally recognized field research methods in an inquiry-driven approach to understanding coral reef ecology. The course focuses on training students in field observation, data collection, record keeping, and data analysis in order to study coral reef populations and communities. During the course, students conduct fieldwork with scuba and are involved in ongoing research projects in collaboration with the Bonaire National Marine Park and Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire. Contact hours: 45. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours. Instructor: Prof. Caren Eckrich

This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to changes as a result ofongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment. Syllabi for the CIEE courses listed above are available upon request.


CIEE Study Center Syllabi
To view the most recent syllabi for courses taught by CIEE at our Study Centers, visit our syllabi site.

Faculty

All courses are taught by local faculty and CIEE staff.

Cultural Activities

Cultural Activities and Field Trips
In order to learn about the cultural history of Bonaire, the program includes excursions to significant cultural activities such as Carnival, Queen’s Day, and the Harvest Festival. The environmental history of Bonaire is closely tied to the culture of the people on the island and there are a number of field trips to areas of significant cultural or environmental importance such as the slave huts, Washington Slagbaii National Park, Lac Bay, Klein Bonaire, Rincon (the oldest town in the Netherlands Antilles), caves, salt pans, flamingo sanctuaries, mangroves, prehistoric cave paintings, and seagrass beds. In addition, students have free time to explore Bonaire.

Volunteering
CIEE students have participated in volunteer projects involving marine conservation and generating community involvement in reducing human impact on sensitive environmental areas on the island of Bonaire. The projects change based on needs of the community, and in the past have included hosting a children’s festival with a marine ecology theme and a recent project involved using painted rocks to mark the best shore diving entry sites to decrease the impact of shore divers by directing them to a specific entry area. Students have also participated in underwater cleanup dives. The volunteer service projects have had excellent participation from the local community and recognition from the Bonaire National Marine Park.

Immersion

Scuba Certification
Non-certified students who choose to participate in the program must have a PADI referral, as PADI certifications are only issued on site. A PADI referral has two components: knowledge development and scuba skills development. Students must arrange, complete, and pay for the referral prior to arrival in Bonaire. The fee varies depending on the dive shop, so students should check with their local PADI facility. Students must bring a completed PADI referral form (proof of passing the course and completing the pool work) to Bonaire. CIEE will collect the fee for the open certification dives in Bonaire. (Please see the Costs section of our website for the fee amount.) When the students complete PADI certification, they will receive a C-card that certifies them as an Open Water Diver. A C-card is a requirement to dive at most locations around the world.

Dive Physical and Dive Insurance
The CIEE Study Center in Bonaire is an organizational member of the American Academy of Underwater Scientists (AAUS—www.aaus.org). All dive activities adhere to a set of standards recognized as the “standard of practice” within the scientific diving community. Students dive extensively with CIEE Study Center staff, and, in accordance with AAUS standards, must complete an intense dive physical before arriving in Bonaire. The physical includes a chest x-ray, spirometry, medical history, and blood and urine tests. Students must also purchase an inexpensive, yet comprehensive dive medical insurance policy from Divers Alert Network (DAN).