| Academics |
Course Description
This course is a survey of the natural history, biology, behavior, ecological and social importance, threats, and conservation of sharks. Coursework will consist of both academic discussions and field work designed to introduce you to the methods and equipment that researchers commonly use for shark research. Although the characteristics and ecology of local shark species will be stressed, we will also examine global populations and their relationships with humans. |
Course Objectives/Outcomes
By the completion of this course students will be exposed to and will demonstrate on understanding of :
- A survey of the biology of sharks. Students will examine sharks and their relatives from an interdisciplinary perspective that will include comparative anatomy, physiology, ecology, animal behavior, conservation, and related international relations/policy
- A survey of the similarities and differences among major shark groupings and what characteristics distinguish them, including a side-by-side comparison of differences between bony fishes and cartilaginous fishes
- The diversity of life in tropical marine systems and the importance of apex predators in maintaining “top-down control” and thus, the ecological health of these systems
- The Utilization of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), with a specific focus on the Shark Reef Marine Reserve (SRMR), and the importance of connectivity of marine habitats in mobile marine animals.
- The importance of sharks and their role in Fijian culture
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Lecture Topics
- Introduction to Fiji, Marine Reserves and Shark Reef Marine Reserve
- Marine Biology Overview
- Shark Natural History
- Shark Biology
- Shark Behavior and Their Ecological Importance
- Shark Research / Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Sharks and Fijian Culture (guest lecturer)
- Shark Threat: Natural and Man-made
- Sustainable Ecotourism (guest lecturer)
- Shark Conservation
- Underwater Naturalist
- Fish Identification
- Coral Reef Conservation
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Field Studies and exercises
- PADI Scuba certifications
- Shark Dives
- Shark Monitoring
- Fish and Coral Identification
- Species specific research project
- Community Service
- Data Collection Methods
- Data Entry into database
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