BI 06 EXPLORING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: WILDLIFE, ECOLOGY AND
CONSERVATION
SYLLABUS AND COURSE SCHEDULE
Instructors: Dr. Megan Gibbons, 236 SSC, x4874, home phone (205) 252-7467 (Emergencies only)
Dr. Barbara Domcekova, 203 HC, x4975, cell phone (205) 317-7722 (Emergencies only)
Project Meeting Times Overview:
Campus Component
Wed. Jan. 4 - Thurs. Jan. 12 in (HC 112) from 9 AM – 2:30 PM
Travel Component
Jan 13, 2005
American Airlines flight 1289 dpts. Atlanta at 11:15 AM and arvs. Miami at 1:06 PM
American Airlines flight 967 dpts. Miami at 4:45 PM and arvs. Quito at 8:45 PM
Jan 23, 2005
American Airlines flight 952 dpts. Quayaquil at 10:45 AM and arvs. Miami at 2:56 PM
American Airlines flight 1204 dpts. Miami at 6:05 PM and arvs. Atlanta at 8:10 PM
Required Text:
Jackson, M. 1993. Galapagos: A Natural History. Calgary Press, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Available in Bookstore
Course Description: This project will focus on the study of the ecology, wildlife, and conservation of
the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. We will spend the first 10 days on campus studying the history and
ecology of the islands, including introducing students to numerous species of the Galapagos that exist
nowhere else in the world. On-campus activities will include lectures, movies, guest speakers, and
discussion sessions. We will then fly to Ecuador, where we will spend the next 10 days on a private
yacht touring the Galapagos Islands. Learn why Darwin and others have been so intrigued by this
unique area. Because there are no natural predators on these islands, wild animals are found in open
areas, and are unafraid of humans. Expect to see amazing birds, sea lions, iguanas, tortoises, and more!
Spanish proficiency is helpful, but not required. Classes will generally meet from 9-12 each day, and the
rest of the afternoon should be spent preparing for the next day’s meeting or on senior projects
Senior Projects: This interim will be amenable to senior projects in Biology, and will be able to
accommodate the Environmental Studies minor. Students registered for BI 499 will work closely with
Dr. Gibbons to determine focus of projects and length of resulting papers. All students may help collect
data for senior projects. Students conducting projects will be asked to submit abstracts of their research
for presentation at Honors Day, the Latin American Studies Symposium, and/or Senior Conference.
Objectives: By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
Describe how the geology of the Galapagos Islands has influenced their unique biology.
Identify many Galapagos organisms.
Understand the importance of biodiversity and the role that islands play in global diversity.
Describe the important ecological interactions that occur the Galapagos Islands.
Explain the factors that are detrimental to the Galapagos and relate them to human activities.
Identify the reasons that organisms in the Galapagos are in danger of becoming extinct
Grading: This course will be graded with S/U (except BI 499 senior projects).
All students will be required to turn in worksheets for each chapter that we cover in the book.
These worksheets will be graded for completeness.
There will be one exam given during this project on Jan. 12 at 10 AM. It will be made up of
questions about the topics that we’ve discussed in class, from movies, and from your book (esp.
from the worksheets). Students conducting senior projects will not have to take this exam.
All students will be required to keep a detailed daily journal of their activities and organisms that
they encounter in the Galapagos Islands. This journal will be turned in at the end of the travel
portion of the interim, and it will be graded. It will then be returned to the student, as a
permanent record of your experience
All non-senior students must maintain a Natural History Journal (Creature Feature) that they
maintain while in the Galapagos, and it must be turned to Dr. Gibbons BEFORE WE LEAVE the
islands. The Natural History Journal will consist of detailed observations of Galapagos
organisms. Each student will chose 10 organisms to observe at length. The journal will consist
of an anatomically accurate color drawing of each organism and a detailed description of each of
the following ecological characteristics: 1) common name. 2) scientific name. 3) microhabitat.
4) food source, including method of prey capture. 5) potential predators and anti-predator
defenses. 6) competitors. 7) modes of reproduction. 8) other observed behaviors such as social
interactions, grooming behavior or mating. There will be several field guides available to help.
Students who are completing a senior project must turn in a written (10-15 page) report of their
research project and be prepared to present their results at an appropriate venue such as Honors
Day, the Latin American Studies Symposium, and/or Senior Conference. The format of the
written report will be the standard used in the Biology Department with Abstract, Introduction,
Methods, Results, Discussion and Literature Cited sections. Please consult with Dr. Gibbons as
you are preparing your written report. Before we leave for the Galapagos, students completing
a BIOLOGY SENIOR PROJECT must have turned in a complete introduction, literature
cited, and (proposed) materials and methods (this may be revised later). While we are in the
Galapagos, the seniors are expected to compile their data into usable forms to facilitate analysis
soon after we arrive back on campus.
Course Requirements:
1. A positive attitude. This project will include a lot of work, some of it mental and some of it
physical activity. It will also include opportunities for recreational activities. It is important to realize
that the work comes first, and that hard work must be a prelude to hard play.
2. Flexibility. It is important to remember that our schedule is not completely in our control. It is at
the mercy of airlines, boat captains, tides, wind, rain and people who expect to take care of all
problems mañana. We must be flexible and keep our objectives rather than our schedule in mind.
3. Punctuality is essential, particularly during our travel.
LECTURE SCHEDULE ON BSC CAMPUS
Tues. Jan. 3
11 AM
12-1 PM
1-2
2
Introduction, Orientation
Seniors only - discuss Senior Research Projects
Lunch
Library Research time for senior research projects, completing homework
Wed. Jan 4
9-10:30 AM
10:30-12 PM
12-1
1-2:30
2:30
Read Chapters 1 and 2 before class, complete worksheets
Ecuador - General introduction (lecture and video: Dr. Domcekova)
Lecture: Plate tectonics and geology of the Galapagos (Dr. Dan Holliman)
Lunch
Movie: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Library time for senior research projects, completing homework
Thurs. Jan. 5
9 AM-12 PM
12-1
1-2
2
Read Chapter 3 before class, complete worksheet
Discussion: Introduction to Ecology and Evolution on Islands (Dr. Gibbons)
Lunch
Video: “Ecology of the Galapagos”
Library time for senior research projects, completing homework
Friday. Jan. 6
Read Chapters 5 and 9, complete worksheets
9-12 PM
Discussion: Reptiles and Mammals (Dr. Gibbons)
12– 1:30
Lunch
1:30
Library Research time for senior research projects, completing homework
Mon. Jan. 9
9-12 PM
12– 1:30
1:30
Read Chapters 6-8, complete worksheets
Discussion: Birds (Dr. Gibbons)
Lunch
Library Research time for senior research projects, completing homework
Tues. Jan. 10
9-12 PM
12– 1:30
1:30
2:30
Read Chapters 10 and 11, complete worksheets
Discussion: Terrestrial Invertebrates and Marine life (Dr. Gibbons)
Lunch
Video: “Galapagos: Beyond Darwin”
Library Research time for senior research projects, completing homework
Wed. Jan. 11
Read Chapter 12, complete worksheet
9-10:30 AM Discussion: Conservation of the Galapagos (Dr. Gibbons)
10:30-12 PM Otavalo - History, culture, traditions of the Indigenous population in the area (Dr.
Domcekova)
12– 1:30
Lunch
1:30
Library Research time for senior research projects, study for exam
Thurs. Jan 12
10 -11 AM
Exam/Seniors turn in senior project introductions and materials and methods
11 AM
Pack, REST
Fri. Jan 13
DEPART SSC PARKING LOT AT 5:30 AM TO DRIVE TO ATLANTA
BRIEF ITINERARY IN GALAPAGOS
Day 01
Fri. January 13
USA/QUITO, ECUADOR
Evening arrival in Quito.
Overnight at Hotel Mercure Alameda.
D
Day 02
Sat. January 14
QUITO/OTAVALO MARKET/QUITO
Breakfast at the hotel followed up by a bus trip to Otavalo and Mitad del Mundo.
We return to Quito for dinner and a folkloric floor show at Rincon la Ronda
Overnight at the Hotel Mercure Alameda.
B,L,D
Day 03
Sun. January 15
QUITO / SAN CRISTOBAL
Breakfast, Early morning transfer to the airport and board the 8:20 AM Aerogal
flight to the Galapagos Islands. Transfer to the boat, travel to beach at Cerro
Brujo, cruise past Kicker Rock.
B,L,D
Day 04
Mon. January 16
TOWER ISLAND
In the morning, we wake up anchored in Darwin Bay. Hikes, panga rides and
snorkeling!
B,L,D
Day 05
Tues. January 17
SANTA CRUZ / RABIDA
In the morning, we explore Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) which is located on the
north end of Santa Cruz. In the afternoon, we visit Rabida Island, which is
considered the geographic center of the Galapagos Islands. Later, snorkeling!
B,L,D
Day 06
Wed. January 18
ISABELA / PUNTA ESPINOSA, FERNANDINA
In the morning, we visit Togus Cove and a saltwater lake. We then go on a panga
ride in search of Galapagos Penguins and other marine animals. In the afternoon,
we visit Punta Espinosa on Fernandina, (a.k.a “Iguana City”, Dr. Domcekova’s
favorite!)
B,L,D
Day 07
Thurs. January 19
FERNANDINA ISLAND / PUERTO EGAS, SANTIAGO ISLAND /
BARTOLOME ISLAND
After breakfast we search for marine life in tide pools along Puerto Egas,
Santiago, and find the fur seal grottos. In the afternoon we hike on Bartolome,
which has perhaps the most distinct landscapes of any of the islands.
B,L,D
Day 08
Fri. January 20
PUERTO AYORA, SANTA CRUZ
In the morning, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz. In
the afternoon we board a bus and ride to the uplands, where we will see one of the
few “wild” populations of Galapagos Giant Tortoise. There may also be time to
buy souveneirs in Puerto Ayora.
B,L,D
Day 09
Sat. January 21
GARDNER BAY / PUNTA SUAREZ, ESPANOLA ISLAND
We begin the morning at Gardner Bay, a long sandy beach (snorkeling), and later
travel to Punta Suarez, also teeming with sea lions and the site of nesting Waved
Albatross. Lots of opportunity to snorkel today!
B,L,D
Day 10
Sun. January 22
SAN CRISTOBAL / GUAYAQUIL
We begin at at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal and visit the Interpretation
Center. Then, we board our 10:40 AM Aerogal flight to Guayaquil. We transfer to
the Hotel Oro Verde, visit the South market, Integration Plaza, artisans market, and
Civic Plaza where we see the Moorish Tower, City Hall and the Rotonda
Monument. Farewell dinner at the Hotel Oro Verde.
B,L,D
Day 11
Mon. January 23
GUAYAQUIL / ATLANTA
Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the airport for our flight home.
B,L
TBA
GET TOGETHER AND REFLECTION OF OUR TRIP (i.e., pizza party).