DIVERSITY OF LIFE ON THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
May Term 2014
May 14 – June 4
Application Deadline: October 15, 2013
Program Description: In this course, students will explore the Hawaiian islands, snorkeling on coral reefs, hiking across lava flows, seeing birds of species that are extinct in the wild, participating in a paleontological dig, and contributing to resource sustainability by removing invasive algae from a 400 year old community fish pond. All students will be required to enroll in a 1 credit seminar in the spring, in which students will discuss the unique natural history of the islands and gain foundational knowledge about patterns of biodiversity and anthropogenic threats facing Hawaiian ecosystems. During the course, students will learn hands-on about (1) patterns of biogeography and extinction, (2) coral reef ecology, (3) conservation and management of native biodiversity, and (4) community-based sustainability practices. The program offers enrichment to studies in biology, environmental science, and environmental studies.
Course: Biology 399, 3 credit hours.
Location: Hawaiian Islands (O’ahu, Hawai’i & Kaua’i)
Faculty: Heather Lerner, assistant professor of biology and Joseph Moore Museum director. Heather has worked on paleontological digs with the Smithsonian Institution in the Hawaiian Islands and performed research on endangered forest songbirds of Hawaii, the Hawaiian Honeycreepers.
Sarah Lee, visiting assistant professor of biology. Sarah has done extensive research in coral reef ecology and led similar intensive experiences for undergraduates at Stanford University, Northeastern University, and University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Living Arrangements: Students will stay on-site at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, at the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, and in dormitory-style housing. The program will cover all expenses for food, housing, and travel on the island.
Orientation: Orientation will occur during the weekly seminar meetings in the spring semester. The time will be set based on student schedules.
Costs: The course fee for the Hawaii May Term is $3,210.00. Students are responsible for roundtrip transportation costs to and from Hawaii. Tickets average around $700-$800, depending on point of origin. Occasionally there are cheaper tickets, so it pays to shop around. Students are also responsible for additional expenses such as personal items, additional travel, books, gifts, etc. Students will be charged a non-refundable program fee of $350.00. Additional tuition fees will be charged if applicable. Scholarships based on financial need are available through the Biology Endowed Funds and IPO. Applications are found at http:www.earlham.edu/academics/off-campus-study/. These applications are due October 1, 2013.
Application: Applications are due October 15th online: https://wildmanscience.wufoo.com/forms/biology-may-term-ipo/ Students may apply jointly to the Borneo and Hawaii Programs by selecting the appropriate box on the online application. Students cannot enroll themselves into this course during registration.
See May Term policies at http://www.earlham.edu/curriculum-guide/may-term and http://www.earlham.edu/registrar/glossary.html.
Contact Heather Lerner or Sarah Lee for additional information.
May Term Plans Subject to Change