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Study Abroad
ICTE
N-543 SBS Bldg.
SUNY at Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY
11794-4364
631.632.9440
Fax: 631.632.7692
Email Us
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Study Abroad in Madagascar Sample Syllabus
Stony Brook Undergraduate Study Abroad Program in Madagascar
Sample SYLLABUS - Based on Fall 2003
Course
Required books: Available at www.borders.com. Books
for other years have not yet been decided. Do not purchase
books for your course based on this list!!
Required Books (2003 course only!):
- (i) Wilson, D., Cole, R., Nichols, J. (1996). Measuring and
monitoring biological diversity: standard methods for mammals
(biological diversity handbook series). Washington, DC. Smithsonian
Inst. Press. $26.95
- (ii) Strier, K. (2000). Primate behavioral ecology. Allyn
and Bacon. Boston.
- (iii) Cowlishaw, G. and Dunbar, R. (2000). Primate conservation
biology. Chicago. Univ. of Chicago Press. $27
Suggested Books:
- (i) Bradt, H. (2002) Madagascar: The Bradt Travel Guide (7th
Edition). The Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, CT. $19.95
- (ii) Morris, P and Hawkins, F. (1998). Birds of Madagascar:
A pictographic guide. New Haven. Yale University Press. $40
Class Schedule in Madagascar (This is
an example of the 2003 course - other courses will differ, depending
on availability of visiting faculty):
- Sept 6: students arrive in Antananarivo; transport to hotel
short welcome/introductions and orientation
- Sept 7-9: time in Antananarivo - introduction to MICET; in-country
orientation (to Madagascar and Tana); time for email/phone calls;
visit the Rova (Queen's palace); visit Tsimbazaza (botanical
garden and zoo) to view some of Madagascar's wildlife on exhibition;
1-day excursion to the royal palaces of Ambohimanga (World Heritage
Site); purchase supplies
- Sept 10: travel to Ranomafana National Park (RNP); arrival
in evening (Settle into camp)
- Sept 11: welcome and orientation to Ranomafana; short hike
in the rain forest (to Belle Vue), evening welcome reception
with "project staff" (ICTE, MICET, Packard, and WHS)
at ValBio
- Sept 12: visit RNP office/introduction to ANGAP; visit various
aspects of RNP's projects: Ranomafana museum, community education
center, afternoon trip to the waterfall
- Sept 13: visit tree nursery project in Ambatovory with visiting
scientist
- Sept 14: student preparation day: laundry, reading, etc.,
lecture on the lemurs of Ranomafana
- Sept 15-23: Start of formal lectures - Biodiversity Field
Methods Course: lectures and related practical exercises in
small mammal trapping/handling, mist-netting birds, stream ecology/limnology,
entomology survey, botany/forest inventory, lemur density census,
human ecology, night-walk/night census (with focus on chameleons)
- Sept 24: review session; prepare for written exam
- Sept 25: written exam (morning); rest of day off (for laundry,
relaxation, etc…); workshop on how to get started on independent
research projects (Independent Studies)
- Sept 26-Oct 8: Continuation of formal lectures -
- Sept 26-Sept 29: Primate Behavior and Ecology. Part 1. Theory:
lectures in introduction to primatology, primate evolutionary/ecological
theory, topics in primate social systems, topics in primate
ecology Part 2. Methods: lectures and related practical exercises
in animal behavior sampling; Part 3. Primate Studies in Madagascar:
lectures on historical perspective of RNP project, paleontology/lemur
evolution in Madagascar, etc.
Also during this time: workshops and one-on-one meetings with
staff towards Independent Studies Project Topics
- Oct 9: review session; prepare for written exam
- Oct 10: written exam (morning); rest of day off to work on
independent research project proposals and methods, relax, laundry,
etc.
- Oct 11: continue working on independent research project proposals
and methods
- Oct 12: turn in proposal for independent research projects;
comparative ecosystems lecture; prepare for departure for Malagasy
Ecosystems trip
- Oct 13-Nov 14: field data collection for independent research
projects
- Oct 13-21: Optional: Malagasy Ecosystems course
- Oct 23-26: hike to primary forest, workshop on preparing the
final written report of independent research projects; workshop
on oral presentation of independent research projects; guest
lecture: "ecology, conservation and human resource needs".
- Nov 15-16: Data entry and analysis (with workshops, as needed),
prepare for departure, good-bye party on 15th
- Nov 17: drive back to Antananarivo
- Nov 18: prepare for presentation of independent research projects
- Nov 19: final presentation of independent research projects;
awards; reception
- Nov 20-21: overnight-excursion to Andasibe-Mantadia National
Park; hike in forest to see indris and other lemurs
- Nov 22: back in Antananarivo; prepare for departure; final
shopping etc.; night departure for U.S.
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