Belize

Program Directors

Capt. Deanne Moosman and Major Paul Moosman will serve as Program Directors. Both are professors at VMI. In addition to having taken courses at the research station in Belize, Deanne completed an internship there in 2003.

Eligibility

Any current student in good standing with an accredited university is eligible to apply. VMI students need only submit an application. Applicants from other universities should include a faculty letter of recommendation, an official transcript, and a short essay outlining the applicant’s personal and academic goals for the program, along with the application. Applications must be received no later than 31 January 2017.

Program

Belize Marine TREC is an organization dedicated to research, education and conservation.  In its 19th year of advancing coral reef education and research, they work with visiting researchers.  Tropical marine biology is an intense hands-on field course where students will study Caribbean marine life by snorkeling coral reefs and coastal mangroves of the cays of Belize.  Other field experience will include seining sea grass beds and observing and identifying species in sandy and rocky shore habitats. This course (BI-351) may be used to satisfy the Intensive Experience for the ECOS concentration in biology.  

In addition, students will be enrolled in PE-470 (Snorkeling) for 0.5 credit hours. Students will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to safely and comfortably snorkel various habitats in the Caribbean Ocean of Belize. The pre-requisite for this course is PE-101 (Basic Swimming Survival) or approval of instructor. This course can only be taken in conjunction with BI-351 (Tropical Marine Biology study abroad course in Belize).

Room and Board

The Belize TREC facility is a converted hotel consisting of a number of 2, 3 and 4 person rooms situated around the perimeter of a fresh water swimming pool. Rooms are clean, functional, and include a private bathroom. Meals are served family style, in a dining room which also serves as a communal gathering room with books and games. Lunch, drinks, and snacks are provided on the boat for the all day trips.