Program Information
P-SP=[0], P-TAP=[0], P-PC=[0], St-SP=[0], TA-TAP=[0], DDipl-DDA=[0], Pcl-PC=[0], Sess-PC=[0], Sess-SP=[0], Sess-TAP=[0], Sess-P=[70]
Winter 2014: Cayman Islands MAST
January 03, 2014 - February 06, 2014
This program is closed. Please contact the faculty director for more information.

Photo provided by faculty director Mark Moline.
Meetings
Interest Meetings:
02/19/2013 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM206 Robinson Hall
02/26/2013 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM206 Robinson Hall
03/06/2013 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM105 Robinson Hall
09/03/2013 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM206 Robinson Hall
09/03/2013 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM202 Cannon Hall (Lewes Campus)
09/11/2013 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM206 Robinson Hall
09/11/2013 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM202 Cannon Hall (Lewes Campus)
Orientation Meetings - attend ALL of the following:
10/19/2013 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM206 Robinson Hall
11/07/2013 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM206 Robinson Hall
11/11/2013 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM130 General Services Building (222 S. Chapel Street)
11/20/2013 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM130 General Services Building (222 S. Chapel Street)
12/04/2013 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM206 Robinson Hall
12/05/2013 9:00 AM - 11:00 AMUniversity Pool
Health Meetings - attend one of the following:
10/22/2013 3:30 PM - 4:30 PMStudent Health Services Conference Room
10/24/2013 10:00 AM - 11:00 AMStudent Health Services Conference Room
Program Notes
This program accepts students on a rolling basis. We recommend that you apply early if you would like to be considered for acceptance.
Program Description
Study of the geology, ecology, evolution of coral reef environments are addressed in a natural field setting on the island of Little Cayman, Cayman Islands.  This isolated island is located in the center of the Caribbean and host to a large diversity of organisms and habitat types.  Students will have a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the environment of study and enjoy this island community.

Based at the Little Cayman Research Center (Central Caribbean Marine Institute), you’ll interact with UD faculty local faculty and staff experts as you study coral reef environments.  In addition, you’ll learn about the biological diversity and physiology through excursions to unique areas on Little Cayman, visits to various island locations.  While traveling to almost every location on this small island over the course of the winter session program, there will be specific day-long excursions that will highlight lagoon environments, coral reefs in high/low energy systems, seagrass habitats, mangrove communities, and reef walls. Scientific diving will be a part of this this program, adding to the ability to understanding these systems at the same time as developing a new skill set.

Students reside in bunk-style rooms and bungalows at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute, with all meals provided. 
Whether you’re interested in coral reef systems, island biogeography, or marine conservation issues, the Winter Session provides a unique opportunity to understand the environment first hand and experience island living.

Please note:  Please note: All students are required to purchase their own mask, fins, snorkel, camera and, if desired--wetsuit. Students must also purchase Diver Alert Network (DAN) insurance at a cost of roughly $30 per person www.diversalertnetwork.org. 

Also note:  Medical certification for diving and Open Water Scuba certification are required for participation. Students who are not currently certified may enroll in a special section of BHAN132: SCUBA in the fall semester (if space is available).
Program Courses
Students must enroll in all credit-bearing courses for a grade. Only the UNIV (zero credit) course may be taken pass/fail. Audit registration is not permitted on UD Travel Study. Please refer to the University Catalog to verify requirements and prerequisites
All students must enroll in at least 7 credits, as well as the 0-credit UNIV course.
MAST 410: Scientific Diving (3 credits)
The course will introduce students to scientific SCUBA diving techniques. Completion of will certify the student as an American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) Scientific Diver and allow eligibility to participate in UD diving projects with reciprocity with other universities and government agencies. Course will be taught by the UD Dive Safety Officer.
MAST 443: Field Studies of Coral Reef Environments (3 credits)
The geology, ecology, evolution of coral reef environments are addressed in a field setting. An integrated approach of classroom instruction and theory will complement hands on observation, sampling, and experimentation in the field. Larger issues of climate change and human pressures will also be examined.
MAST 467: AAUS Certification (1 credit)
Course work, swimming performance, underwater performance, and full participation within the Cayman Island program will be measured as requirements to obtain AAUS certification.
UNIV 370-021: Study Abroad - Cayman Islands (0 credits) pass/fail
Students are asked to reflect upon changes in their knowledge, skills, and attitudes that occur due to their study abroad experience.
Satisfies the following requirements:
Discovery Learning
Requirements
For all participants, a formal application is necessary, including a deposit and at least one recommendation. An interview may be conducted in person or by Zoom.

A transcript is required from Non-UD applicants only. Non-UD students, please email a copy of your official transcript to the Program Coordinator.

Study abroad at the University of Delaware is highly competitive. Please review the study abroad acceptance process. If you are not selected for your first choice program, we encourage you to apply to another program.
Costs
How much does it cost?.
  • University of Delaware Tuition/Fees for one Winter Session
  • Travel Study Program Fee
    • Usually covers: housing, all program-related excursions and some meals (check with the program's faculty director for details).
    • Does NOT cover: airfare to/from the program site and ground transportation to/from the U.S. departure airport. For planning purposes only, we estimate roundtrip airfare to be approximately $(TBD).
  • Plan ahead for how to pay for travel study, and make sure you understand the costs associated with your program.
When and how do I pay?
If you are offered acceptance to the program, you will have 3 days to withdraw without financial penalty. After the 3 days have passed, you will be officially accepted to the program, and CGPS will post the full Program Fee and Tuition/Fees to your UD student account.
  • An initial payment of $300.00 will be due in mid-October.
  • The balance of the Program Fee and Tuition/Fees will be due in early January.
  • Payments are submitted through My Finances in UDSIS.
  • All charges, once posted to your account, are considered non-refundable.
Other important things to note:
  • Program Fees are subject to change until the group's departure date. Final Program Fees may increase due to unforeseen local cost increases, fluctuations in exchange rates, or changes in the group size.
  • CGPS reserves the right to cancel a program at any time due to under-enrollment, safety/health/security issues, staffing issues, or any other relevant reason. If your program is cancelled, you will receive a full refund of all Program Fees paid.
Delaware ResidentNon-Delaware Resident
Final Tuition based on current year$1,985.00$5,324.00
Final Program Fee$6,825.00$6,825.00
UD Registration & Activities Fee$30.00$30.00
Total to be charged to UD account (final)$8,840.00$12,179.00
Plus Airfare Estimate (purchased separately)$(TBD)$(TBD)
The rates above may not apply to you if you are a UD graduate student during the time you are studying abroad. Please refer to http://www1.udel.edu/finaid/rates.html for the appropriate rates.
Scholarships
Need- and merit-based scholarships are available to UD undergraduates on a competitive basis. To be considered, students must have a current FAFSA on-file with Student Financial Services. For more details, please see our scholarships page.
Deadlines
All payments and application materials are due by 5:00pm on the dates listed below:
Submit Program ApplicationSeptember 25, 2013
$300.00 DepositSeptember 25, 2013
$2,500.00 DepositOctober 15, 2013
Final Program Fee BalanceNovember 05, 2013
Tuition and FeesDecember 01, 2013
Please note that the this program accepts students on a rolling basis. We recommend that you apply early if you would like to be considered for acceptance.
Contacts
Adam Marsh
Faculty Director
Marine Studies
114 Smith Lab (Otis H) Mariculture - Lewes Campus
302-645-4367
amarsh@udel.edu
Mark Moline
Faculty Director
Marine Studies
204A Cannon Marine Studies Lab - Lewes Campus
302-645-4263
mmoline@udel.edu
Mark Warner
Faculty Director
Marine Studies
104 Smith Lab (Otis H) Mariculture - Lewes Campus
302-645-4365
mwarner@udel.edu
File Downloads
2014 Cayman MAST - flyer
Program information is subject to change at any time. Please check this web site periodically for updates.