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NEW COURSE: Tropical Marine Ecology – from Fieldwork to Conservation

Join the expert scientists and educators at CCMI on Little Cayman for an intensive, field-based marine ecology course at a remote marine research station, designed for university students seeking practical field experience. Participants will build core competencies in tropical reef and mangrove ecosystem studies, including fish and coral identification, underwater surveying, and stakeholder engagement in marine resource management. The curriculum also integrates coral restoration science, covering both nursery propagation and transplantation techniques, to provide a comprehensive understanding of contemporary reef conservation strategies. Gain applied skills and field knowledge to advance your academic and professional trajectory while contributing to the study of one of the world’s most critical ecosystems.

Course requirements and important information:

· Due to limited spaces, submitting the registration form does not guarantee final enrollment.
· This course is an in-person field programme on Little Cayman. Hybrid or online options are not available.
· We require a minimum of 12 participants for the course to run, with a maximum capacity of 17. If the minimum is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the course. In that case, any payments made will be fully refunded.
· You may withdraw after receiving your enrollment confirmation, but please note that no refunds will be granted for cancellations within 40 days of the course start date.
· We don´t have any scholarships or financial aid available at this stage.
· All participants must have valid travel and health insurance covering medical care and emergency evacuation for the duration of the course. Proof of insurance will be required prior to arrival.
· If you have specific conditions or requirements, your enrollment may remain pending until all details are reviewed and confirmed.
· Your contact information will be shared internally with course instructors and the administration team as part of the enrollment process. · As an international applicant, please check the Cayman Islands visa requirements in advance and consider potential travel and visa costs.

Ocean Decade Endorsed Activity

We are proud to share that the course Tropical Marine Ecology: From Fieldwork to Conservation has been officially endorsed as an Ocean Decade Activity by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). This recognition highlights our course’s contribution to advancing ocean knowledge and supporting science-based solutions for a healthier, more sustainable ocean.

Download the Course Flyer

Registration site

COURSE DETAILS

Dates

12 – 21 December 2025

Lecturer

Stephen (Chip) Glaholt, Indiana University

Eligibility

The course is designed to provide university students with foundational knowledge and practical skills in tropical marine ecology, including participants who wish to expand their snorkel-based fieldwork experience or gain a deeper understanding of conservation science.

Course fee

US $3,000 -including room (shared accommodation), board, and transportation on Little Cayman.

Not included: international and inter-island flights, travel and health insurance.

Visiting Universities

CCMI has been creating bespoke study abroad programming with colleges and universities from the Cayman Islands, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom since 2008. Our education team has a diverse set of skills that we use to produce lectures, workshops, and laboratory activities appropriate for students at both the undergraduate and graduate level. We are always looking to foster new professional relationships with colleges and universities around the world; contact us through the button on the right.

We are thankful to have worked with the following institutions and hope to continue these prestigious relationships for many years to come.

Cayman Islands Further Education Centre
Cedar Crest College
College of Charleston
Dartmouth College
Delaware Technical Community College
Florida Atlantic University
Indiana University
International College of the Cayman Islands
Kean University
Lawrence University
Louisianna State University

Roane State Community College
Rutgers University
Saginaw Valley State University
Simpson College
Wellesley College
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
University College of the Cayman Islands
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of North Carolina – Greensboro
University of Southern California
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse

contact ccmi for details

university programme flyer

what people say

Visiting CCMI was the best experience of my college career. The hands-on learning and research opportunities they provided allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. The staff and surrounding community on the island welcomed us as one of their own and were eager to teach us about their beloved oceans.

My time spent at CCMI helped me grow as a researcher and as a responsible steward of the earth. I learned so much about marine research and the importance of reefs. I was inspired by the work CCMI is doing and the way that CCMI staff values and integrates sustainability in their daily practices. I also simply fell in love with the reefs around Little Cayman, it was so exciting to see new and unique things every time I went in the water!

Going to CCMI was a once in a lifetime experience that will stay with me forever. In just one week I was able to explore an entire island, meet incredible people, learn more about coral reefs and the research that is being done to protect and restore them, and gain an even greater appreciation for our environment that I will take with me into my career in environmental policy.

This trip was mind-blowing! Educational, eye-opening, and well-structured. I learned so much and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Indiana University

2022 Alumni