Center for International Education
College of Charleston
Center for International Education
Charleston, SC 29424
843-953-7661
studyabroad@cofc.edu
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Spring: November 1
Summer: March 15
Fall: April 1
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British Virgin Islands
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CofC in British Virgin Islands 2016

Term To Study: Summer 2016
Application Deadline: Apr 16, 2016
Program Starts: Jul 30, 2016
Program Ends: Aug 13, 2016
Program Category: One-Country
Program Type: Faculty-led
Program Fee: $3,725
Link 1: Click on this link for video of a previous year's program
Link 2: The BVI program's Facebook page
Contact Phone: 843-953-7823
Contact Name: Gabriela Peschiera
Contact Email: peschierag@cofc.edu
What is Included: - Lodging
- Some meals
- Entrances into sites
- Overseas medical insurance
- $50 non-refundable application fee (will only be reimbursed if a student is not accepted into the program or the program is cancelled)

* Program fee subject to change
What is not Included: - Tuition for four credits and associated fees
- Round-trip airfare to/from British Virgin Islands
- Some meals
- Passport fees
- Personal expenses
Estimated Costs: In addition to the program fee, students will be charged for tuition and fees as follows:
* 2015-16 in-state tuition rate for four credits is $1,832 (plus Library, Technology and Part Time Fees)
* 2015-16 out-of-state tuition rate for four credits is $2380.00 (plus Library, Technology and Part Time Fees). The out of state tuition for classes associated with travel are discounted from the Fall and Spring rates.

Credit(s) In-State
1 credit $458
3 credits $1374
4 credits $1832
6 credits $2748
7 credits $3206

Credit(s) Out-of-State
1 credit $595
3 credits $1785
4 credits $2380
6 credits $3570
7 credits $4165

Other estimated out-of-pocket expenses:
- Airfare: $700
- Dinners ashore: $75
Program Description

COURSE INFORMATION:

Students take one of the following courses:

BIOL 250: Field Studies in Coral Reef Biology (for non-majors) - 4 credits
BIOL 453: Field Studies in Coral Reef Biology (for majors) - 4 credits

PROGRAM INFORMATION:

This course introduces undergraduate students to the organismal biology, ecology, and conservation of the Caribbean coral reef ecosystem in the British Virgin Islands. The emphasis is placed on field methods and labs, including SCUBA-based field experiments that provide hands-on experience and contribute to ongoing research projects. Lectures cover the biodiversity, systematics, and population and community-level ecology of predominant species of macroalgae, fishes and invertebrates and are paired with onboard or in-water lab exercises. Critical conservation issues and management strategies for this complex ecosystem will also be introduced. The program is conducted aboard a multi-hull sailboat that serves as the dormitory, classroom, and research platform. Each day the class sails to a new island in the archipelago to investigate and explore new habitats, and receive practical training in the nautical sciences and SCUBA that prepare them to be a competent member of a research crew or field team. The program is conducted in collaboration with a 501(c)3 organization called the Marine science And Nautical Training Academy (MANTA, www.manta-online.org).

Students participating in this course should expect the following conditions/activities: snorkeling, SCUBA diving, swimming, hiking, tropical summer heat, sailing, lifting scuba tanks, living aboard a boat, and prolonged physical activity.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR:

Dr. Rusty Day
Biology Department/Grice Marine Lab
dayrd@cofc.edu or rusty.day@manta-online.org
843-762-8904

Dr. Rusty Day is an Adjunct Professor of Biology at CofC and a research biologist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the Hollings Marine Laboratory. He has a diverse scientific background that includes tropical field ecology, fisheries, wildlife toxicology, and chemical tracers in marine organisms. Dr. Day has directed the BVI study abroad program since 2010 and is also a PADI Scuba Instructor, licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain, and the founder and director of MANTA.

Quick Facts

Population: 31148
Capital: Road Town
Per-capita GDP: $ 38500
Size: 151 km2
Time Zone: (GMT - 04:00 hours) Atlantic Time (Canada)

US State Department

Travel Warning: YES
See :
Country Specific Info.


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