Geology and Ecology in Bermuda”

SYLLABUS

“Tropical Geology and Ecology In Bermuda”

1. Course Title and number: Py 299 Bda – Geology and Ecology in Bermuda. 2. Dr. Joel Block, SC 115, [email protected], Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM).Teaching Assistant Matthew Laudacina. 3. Texts and Required Reading: a. Rowe, Mark P. “An Explanation of the Geology of Bermuda,” 1998; b. Thomas, Martin L.H. “Coral Reefs of Bermuda,” 2005: c. Vacher, H.L., Rowe, Mark P., Garrett, P., “The Geological Map of Bermuda,”1989. d. Robinson, Arthur and Robinson, Noah, “Global Warming Is 300-Year-Old News,” The Wall Street Journal, 18 January 2000. e. Gunter, Lorne, “Breaking: Warming On Jupiter, Mars, Pluto, Neptune’s Moon & Earth Linked to Increased Solar Activity, Scientists Say,” Canada Free Press, 13 March 2007. f. National Geographic News,” Mars Melt Hints at Solar, Not Human, Cause for Warming,” 2007. g. MIT News Office, “Pluto Is Undergoing Global Warming, Researchers find,” 9 October 2002. h. Phillips, Dr. Tony, “Deep Solar Minimum,” Science @ NASA, 1 April 2009. 4. Reference Material at The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences: a. BZS Volunteers, “The Rocky Coast,” 1993. b. BZS Volunteers, “The Sandy Shore,” 1994. c. BZS Volunteers, “The Bermuda Forests,” 2002. d. Thomas, Martin L.H. “Bermuda’s Wetlands,” 2005. e. Thomas, Martin L.H. “Oceanic Island Ecology of Bermuda,” 2005. f. Thomas, Martin L.H. “The Open Ocean Around Bermuda,” 2005. 5. No prerequisites are required. 6. Description: This program involves an intensive field study of the island of Bermuda.The focus will be on the analysis of various biological and geological sites with a concentration on the evidence for global warming and cooling. The basic concepts in island biogeography, coral reef formation and ecology, the flora and fauna of Bermuda, the geological processes involved in the creating and sustaining of Bermuda including beach and dune formation, cave development with its associated phenomena, and the present environmental concerns of Bermudians today are discussed with field evidence found on the island.

7. All participants will attend two (2) required, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, class days at Sacred Heart University for background information. The participants will attend all of the field sessions in Bermuda. 8. Make up exams will be conducted upon return to the SHU campus. 9. Final grade: Final written exam (25%), Geology field problems (25%), Biology field Problems (25%) and map project (25%). 10. Grading scale: 100-95 (A), 95-90 (A-), 89-87 (B+), 86-84 (B), 83-80 (B-),79-77 (C+),76-74(C),73-70(C-),69-67(D+), 66-64 (D), 63-60 (D-), below 60(F). 11. Subject Material to be covered: Day 1: SHU – GEO Day: Science and the Scientific Method, origin of the solar system, plate tectonics, formation of Bermuda, weathering and erosion, radiometric dating, dune formation, karst topography, global warming and cooling (Milankrovic Hypothesis), global warming and cooling identification on Bermuda, future of earth, the sun spot cycle and Maunder Minimums: Day 2 SHU – BIO Day: Ocean chemistry, biological environmental conditions of Bermuda, reef types, species present in Bermuda and their ecological role, producers, herbivores, predation, north vs. south of Bermuda, field lab discussion: Day 3 - Bermuda Institute of Ocean Studies (tour of the facilities and an introduction to the problems currently under investigation at the station), Whalebone Bay (Karst and dune geology, snorkeling, environmental problems): Day 4= Crystal Cave (karst phenomena, global cooling evidence), Black Bay (sea grass environment), Church Bay (karst phenomena, global warming evidence, boiler reefs), Grape Bay (ancient dune formation, global cooling evidence): Day 6 =Volcanic caldera at Castle Harbor (volcanism), Blue Hole Caves (karst topography), Fantasy Cave (karst topography, global warming and cooling evidence), Tobacco Bay (platform flora and fauna, ancient dunes, arches, stacks): Day 7= Horseshoe Bay (contrast modern and ancient onshore/offshore geological formations, pollution), Shelley Bay (platform grassland biology). Day 8= Grape Bay (free day), Day 9 = Admiralty House Park (platform, reef, sea cave fauna). Day 10= Prospero Cave and Spittal Pond (Geology field test day), Day 11= Project Initiation (biological and geological question and answer period, papers to hand in involving data collection, analysis of the data, hypothesizing the formation/present conditions/future development of the various sites investigated, preparation of the map indicating the location and explanation of the studied sites: Day 12= A Final Exam/ leave for USA. 12. The University Academic Honesty Policy will be enforce during the entire program.