Students in this course will learn about the organisms, structure/function, and biogeochemistry of Philippine Coral Reefs. Additionally, students will experience and come to understand the culture and history of the Philippines. To study the coral reef environments they should become SCUBA certified. If the class does not fill with those who will be SCUBA certified by January 2025 then students wishing to snorkel can enroll. 

At the beginning of Jan Term we will fly to Manila to start our study of the fascinating history and culture of the Philippines. We'll be there for four days of tours, museums, and cultural experts giving us presentations at La Salle University in Manila. Next we fly to Bicol to visit the stunning Mayan Volcano National Park and snorkel with whale sharks (completely herbivorous) in Donsol, Philippines. On January 12 we will travel by airplane/bus/ferry to a PADI five-star dive center at the Puerto Galera UNESCO Marine Reserve on Northern Mindoro Island. For the next six days students will study and examine this biodiverse and amazing coral reef environment. We will also have a one-day trip inland to experience the small village culture and rain forests found on Northern Mindoro Island. On January 19 we take ferry/bus and airplane to El Nido on Palawan island. In El Nido we will kayak to a wildlife preserve on Cadlao island and through the complex mangrove ecosystem near there to learn about and better understand the connections between the mangrove and tropical forest habitats. We will also visit one beach voted one of the top five most beautiful in the world and zipline at sunset to a neighboring island. Lastly, we take a ferry to Coron, Palawan, to dive on some incredible coral gardens and reef-covered wrecks from World War II. We will also experience the stunningly beautiful Kanyangan Lake with its karst limestone mountains and visit with its indigenous, local inhabitants. 

Students will return to campus January 26, 2025, with a robust understanding of amazing coral reefs and the history and culture of the Philippines.

Reading List:

• Chemistry of Marine Environments, Hester and Harrison

• Coral Reefs, Sales and Johnson

• Coral Reefs in the Phillippines, Nogales

• History of the Phillippines: from Indios Bravos to Filipinos, Francia

Basis for Final Grade:

• Two midterm exams: 75 points each

• Final exam: 100 points

• Writing 5 word images: 10 points each.

• Class Participation: 25 points

Special Requirements

Students need to either be scuba certified or agree to prepare for scuba certification before the course begins if they want preferential registration. If spots remain, snorklers will be allowed to register.

By the end of this course, the students will:

1. Understand the environmental conditions, origins and composition of Philippine coral reefs.

2. Understand what adaptations organisms have for various coral reef habitats, how they are shaped by those environments through evolution, and how evolution increases fitness of organisms to survive in this environment.

3. Understand the chemistry of marine environments and how they are affected by rise in carbon dioxide.

4. Have developed the skills required to be a certified scuba diver.

5. Have applied the scuba diving skills they develop to observing and understanding California marine environments.

6. Be cognizant of the threats impacting the world’s coral reef environments.

7. Understand Philippine culture and history.