2011 Short-Term Study Opportunities

International Programs and Services

Bimini, Bahamas

2011 Maymester Study Abroad Opportunity

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Bimini, Bahamas: Biology of Sharks

Coastal's Department of Marine Science offers an exceptional opportunity for field experience in Biology of Sharks at the Bimini Biological Field Station (BBFS) in the Bahamas. The course features lectures, discussions, analysis of research papers, frequent field trips, video presentations, and personal encounters with several species of large, actively feeding, and free-swimming sharks. Lectures focus on broad aspects of the biology of sharks, including: diversity, evolution, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, fisheries, captive biology, conservation, and biomedical uses. The majority of the academic work will be field-oriented. This fieldwork will introduce students to research techniques used at Coastal Carolina University and BBFS, where research on sharks has been ongoing for almost 15 years.

No application was found for this program.

Preliminary Itinerary

Before leaving for Bimini, students will participate in a number of classroom activities (lectures, discussions) focused on introducing them to the biology of sharks and their trip to Bimini. We will take a half-day research cruise on the R/V Coastal II, during which we will set several experimental shark longlines. Any sharks captured will be identified, measured, sampled for DNA, and tagged and released. After a short but rigorous training session and observing the experienced Coastal Carolina University shark team set and retrieve the longlines and handle the sharks, students will be given an opportunity to do the same.

May 10-14	On site at Coastal Carolina University
May 15 - 22	Bimini, Bahamas: The Bimini Biological Field Station is a world-renown center of excellence in the study of shark biology and the director, Dr. Samuel "Sonny" Gruber, is acknowledged as one of the world's leading shark experts. During our stay at BBFS, we will be either participating in lectures, on a variety of field trips (see examples below), or engaging in informal discussions about sharks, careers, environmental issues, or ways that students can work their way back to the lab as a volunteer or staff member (numerous CCU students have done so!). Although the course schedule is rigidly set (e.g., breakfast at 0730, lecture from 0830 - 1000, feed lemon sharks and rays in shark pen from 1030 - 1200, etc.), we are at the mercy of the weather and the success of longlines. So a lecture might be interrupted by the presence of a 12-foot tiger shark on a longline, in which case we grab our snorkel gear, throw on a life vest (a Coastal Carolina University requirement), hop in one of the boats, and motor the 15 minutes to the line. Once there, we will watch as the shark is worked up, then while the animal is tethered to the boat, we will get in the water and take pictures of one of the most magnificent beasts on the planet. The entire week, which flies by way too fast, is a combination of opportunistic lectures, insightful discussions, slowly acquiring a sense of place in the Bahamas, and sharks, sharks, and more sharks.
May 24 - 27	Coastal Carolina University campus (lectures and shark crusies) When we return to Coastal Carolina University, we meet to discuss journal articles about Bimini from the shark literature, and we take 2-3 more shark research cruises on the R/V Coastal II.

Meet This Program's Leader

Dr. Daniel C. Abel
Associate Professor, Marine Science

Dr. Abel has taught this course, one of the first and still one of the few in the United States, for almost 15 years. He conducted his dissertation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography on heart function in sharks, and currently studies the ecology of sharks in South Carolina waters. What students take away from this course, in addition to learning about the biology of sharks, is the observation that a passionate group of dedicated people - the folks at the Bimini Biological Field Station - can accomplish great things when they care enough and work hard enough to gain insight into a problem. This is a lesson that never fades.

E-mail: dabel@coastal.edu

"If you're passionate about learning about sharks, especially in their environment, if you're not afraid of swimming next to an 8-foot Caribbean reef shark, and if you don't mind the tropical ocean as one of your classrooms, then this rigorous introduction to shark biology might be just what you're looking for."

Frequently Asked Questions:

When is the deadline for application?

The priority deadline for applications is November 5, 2010.

When does this program take place?

May 10-14, 2011 at Coastal Carolina University, May 15-22, 2011 in Bimini and May 24-27 at Coastal Carolina University.

What is the cost of this study abroad program?

The program costs of approximately $2920 include:

air and ground transportation from Myrtle Beach to/from Bimini
room and board (3 meals a day and snacks)
tips, and all field trips in Bimini

Coastal Carolina University tuition will be billed at the rate of $270 per credit hours or $1080 for the course. Program costs do not include: the cost of a passport and an international student ID. The latter is available from the International Programs office for approximately $22. Participants will also need a mask, fins, snorkel, and weight belt (but no weights - these will be provided in Bimini).

When are payments due for the program?

Deposit	$500 due with application
1st Payment	Jan 15, 2010- 1/3 of remaining balance
2nd Payment	Feb 15, 2011- 1/3 of remaining balance
3rd Payment	Mar 15, 2011- Remaining balance

How many credit hours can I complete during this program?

Undergraduates have the opportunity to complete MSCI 473 and MSCI 473L for 4 credit hours and graduate students may complete MSCI 573 and MSCI 573L (also 4 credit hours).

Does this course/program satisfy core curriculum requirements?

This program does not currently satisfy core curriculum requirements, but it does count for upper level Marine Science major requirements.

Are scholarships or financial aid available for this program?

Graduates of Horry County high schools are encouraged to apply for the Horry County Higher Education Commission International Awareness Award ($1,000 - $2,000 per award available). To determine whether you have availability for other financial aid during this study period, please see your Financial Aid Counselor in Kingston Hall.

Are there any prerequisites for this study?

The prerequisite for this course is BIO 122, and permission from the instructor.

What will this program be like?

One student described the course as a little sleep, a lot of great food, and more knowledge of sharks than he had imagined could be crammed into such a short amount of time. The lectures are comprehensive, but the field trips become the course's lab, and science, it is said, is learned in the lab.

Do I need vaccinations to participate?

Coastal Carolina University adheres to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations. Please visit the website (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/) for information regarding your particular destination.

What are the physical demands of this program?

Participants should be in good physical condition, must be able to swim and snorkel, and must be able to stay in the water for up to an hour.

For More Information, Please Contact:
The Office of International Programs & Services
Mr. Geoffrey Parsons, M.Ed.
Director, International Programs & Services
843-349-2054 / parsons@coastal.edu

Ms. Lori Patterson, M.P.S.
Coordinator/Advisor, Study Abroad
843-349-2684 / lori@coastal.edu
Singleton Building 119

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