EPSC 331 Barbados 2005, April Handout, p. 1

Field Course Modern and Ancient Carbonate Environments (EPSC 331)

INFORMATION - April 2005

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Contact:

Prof. Mairi Best

F.D. Adams 335

Tel: (514) 398-4895 (preferred)

Location:McGillUniversity’s Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados (

Dates: TuesdayDecember 27th, 2005 to Friday January 6, 2006.

Format: The format of the course is field exercises in both modern and fossil carbonate environments, using the natural lab of the island of Barbados. While in Barbados students are expected to devote all waking hours to course activities. In addition, there will be four monthly meetings during the Fall term of 2005, which will include logistics, required snorkel training, and a session of presentations by students.

Evaluation: Students must complete a set of preliminary readings that will be available as a Course Pack and on reserve in the Library in September. This material will be the subject of a take-home examination that will be made available in October and must be completed by the beginning of December. In addition, students will make short presentations on different aspects of Barbados. Detailed field notebooks are expected to be handed in at the end of the trip, and will be graded.

take-home exam (20%), presentations in November (15%), participation during the field exercises (45%), and the field notebook (20%).

Precautions:

Students who need only this course to fulfill their graduation requirements should notify Prof. Best ahead of time.

The course will involve considerable physical demands but will not be beyond the capabilities of anyone in good health. Students who have not had a recent physical examination should have one before departure.

Students must be able to swim because the course will involve wading, snorkeling and possibly the use of boats. It will not involve SCUBA diving. Everyone will need their own mask, fins and snorkel. There will be a compulsory snorkel training pool session in October, so you need to have snorkel equipment by this time. If you have little or no experience of snorkeling you should take the equipment to a pool and practice using it beyond the required snorkel session.

Due to limited cooking facilities, it is not possible to make arrangements for special dietary needs in general. However, a vegetarian alternative meal is available for those who request it at the time of registration.

Those with any doubts concerning the advisability of taking the course should consult Prof. Best before signing up. It is important that Prof. Best be informed of any issues of physical or mental health that might affect your safety or that of other students. Students will be required to sign a waiver form that confirms that they recognize their responsibilities in taking a field course outside Canada and that they have informed the course coordinator of any relevant health or other issues.

There will be a required meeting of all participants to plan and discuss the course. This will take place on September 9th, 2005 at 17:30 in F.D. Adams 348/349. (The time or date may change if the schedule conflicts with other courses for any participants.) Before this meeting, arrangements will be confirmed and a new form will be provided requesting information on emergency contacts, confirmation of health insurance, flight plans and other essential details. This must be handed in at the October meeting.

Course Costs:

The course is partly subsidized by the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department but some of the costs are paid by students as a special fee. The fee is expected to be around $1300. The fee covers room and board at Bellairs and all other expenses during the course. It does not cover tuition, course pack, airfare, travel insurance, airport taxes, surface travel between the airport and Bellairs, meals in transit, or the cost of supplementary health insurance.

Students must make their own travel arrangements and are advised to watch for discounts and seat sales. Given that it is during the holiday season, flights are booking up fast. The course will start at 17:00 on Tuesday December 27th, so all participants must be present by this time. Recently, tickets have ranged from about $800 to $1,200. Cancellation insurance depends on the duration and condition of the ticket, but tends to be about 80$ for a two-three week stay. There is an airport tax of $15 in Montreal and about $18 in Barbados. A taxi between the airport and Bellairs is variable but runs in the $40 range and can be shared by several people. (If a large number of people are arriving together, we may arrange transport for the group if the cost per person is lower.) Supplementary health insurance costs vary considerably depending on what sort of health coverage you have already. For Canadians less than 25 years of age, who already have provincial health coverage, it is around $32. All participants are required to have adequate health coverage. The above prices are, of course, subject to change and should be checked out individually.

Requirements:

A course in sedimentary geology (EPSC455 or 425 or equivalent) and/or paleontology (EPSC 334) and permission of Prof Best are prerequisites. Space is limited to 12 students. Interested students must submit an application form (available on the web site) by April 18th, 2005. If there are more applications than places available, participants will be selected on the basis of their preparation and academic need for the course. Students who will complete their program requirements before January 2006 will be given preference over students who will have the chance to take the course in future years. Selection of students will be made by April 22nd, 2005, and a list of accepted students and a waiting list will be posted on the web site.

Once you have been accepted into the course, you must submit an initial deposit of $100 on or before April 29th, 2005. If a cheque is not received by that date, the place will be given to the next person on the waiting list. The balance of the fee must be paid on or before October 30th. Because some of the fees relate to shared costs, the course fee will only be fully refundable if there is another student on the waiting list who still wants to take the course.

After being accepted and paying their initial deposit, students must register during the September drop/add period for the winter term.

Each individual is responsible for ensuring that she or he has the appropriate documents to enter Barbados (or other countries en route if not taking a direct flight). Citizens of Canada or the U.S.A. now require a valid passport and return ticket to enter Barbados. It would be advisable to apply soon if you do not already have a passport. Citizens of most other countries will require visas, which require an application to the Barbados High Commission in Ottawa (allow at least two months). Individuals who have been in a yellow fever zone will require proof of immunization.

Further information: Check out the Barbados website: (It is useful to have some background information on where you are going.)

Important Dates:

April 13, 2005Information Meeting, 12:30, FD Adams 348/349

April 18, 2005Application forms must be received by Prof. Best.

April 22, 2005List of participants and waiting list posted on web site.

April 29, 2005Initial deposit ($100) due. Book flights ASAP

(Students on waiting list will be notified as soon as places are available).

September 9, 2005Compulsory planning meeting for all participants in FD Adams 348/349, 17:30 (Meeting may be rescheduled if it conflicts with other courses.)

September 18, 2005End of drop/add period.

September, 2005Course packs available.

October 30, 2005Balance of fee due.

October, 2005Take-home exam available.

December 1, 2005Take-home exam due (penalty for late submission)

December 27, 2005Course starts at 17:00 in Barbados.

January 6, 2006Course ends.

Some of the logistical information provided here is borrowed from Prof. Kramer of Biology, many thanks!