Marine Science Summer in Belize

Earn credit towards your Marine Science degree and explore Belize with JU professors this summer!

This program provides students with a general overview of coral reef ecology, using the animals, plants, culture and history of Belize. During the month of June, students and faculty will travel to Tobacco Caye and learn first-hand about coral reef ecology in Belize through extensive field study. 

In addition to course readings and lectures, students will participate in daily field studies, including snorkeling of the breathtaking coral reefs while on site. Students will be housed at the Windward Lodge. Due to the physical demands of this program, students should meet with faculty prior to applying. Students are required to be registered in both courses for this program.

Program Dates

May 10 - 24, 2021*

*Dates subject to change

How to Apply

• Create your Traveler Account
  • Search for Belize Marine Science 
• Submit $350 non-refundable deposit (payable online or at Student Accounts)
  • Need help? Download payment instructions.

Apply Here

Prerequisites

• Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
• Course Pre-Requisites: MSC 111, MSC 112, MSC 113, MSC 114
• Swimming skills

Courses

Undergraduate students are required to take both courses.

• MSC422: Coral Reef Ecology (4 credit hours)
• MSC430: Caribbean Marine Geology (3 credit hours)

Graduate students will take:

• MSC690: Special Topics Belize Field Study (3 credit hours)

Faculty Instructors

Dr. Jeremy Stalker

Dr. Jeremy Stalker is an Associate Professor of Marine Science.  He received his B.S. at Michigan State University; his M.S. at the University of Montana; and his Ph.D. at Florida International University. His research interest and areas of specialization include: Hydrology, Stable Isotope, Ionic and Nutrient Geochemistry, Coastal Oceanography, Geophysics, and Forensics. Dr. Stalker is also a passionate advocate of education abroad and the valuable experience it provides for students and faculty. He spent his youth traveling abroad with his parents and continues to honor the family legacy of international education by leading programs abroad with JU students.

• jstalke@ju.edu 

Dr. Melinda Simmons

Melinda Simmons is an assistant professor in the Biology and Marine Science Department at Jacksonville University. While much of Dr. Simmons’ prior research focused on plankton, her lab in the Marine Science Research Institute includes graduate and undergraduate students with far reaching interests including larger organisms, such as shrimp and marine plants, and hydrological studies.

Melinda earned a BS in Aquatic Biology from the University of California Santa Barbara, a MS in Oceanography from the University of California San Diego, and a PhD in Ocean Sciences from the University of California Santa Cruz. While in graduate school, Dr. Simmons held research positions at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. During this time she also served as a teaching assistant and spent a total of 131 days conducting research at sea. Dr. Simmons' research has been published in high-ranking journals including “Science” and “Molecular Biology and Evolution.”

When not involved in academics and scientific research, Dr. Simmons has worked and volunteered in the non-profit sector, including  the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens and local public and private schools in Duval County.

• msimmon9@ju.edu 

Program Cost

$3,200*

*This range is determined based on enrollment. The final program price will be determined after the application and deposit deadline has passed.

Included in cost

• Shared Accommodations at Windward Lodge
• Airport Pick-Up/Drop-Off via private coach
• Private boat to Tobacco Caye
• 24/7 On-Site Support
• All meals at Windward Lodge
• JU International Medical & Accident Insurance
• JU Course Credit

Excluded from cost

• Roundtrip Airfare
• Covid-19 Testing (required for entry into Belize and re-entry to US)
• Incidentals

Scholarships

Learn about the JU Experiential Learning scholarship.