MARCH 14, 2007

THE CADRE ¢ 4

CAMPUS

UPEI offers credit for course in Bahamas

Stacey Murray Advertising Manager

Fifteen students will have the opportu- nity to study marine organisms in the Bahamas this summer, the University of Prince Edward Island announced Feb. 15.

During two weeks of study in July, students will collect samples of sponges and chorals and examine their microbes and identify any natural products that could be used for further research, said Syndor Withers, one of the professors of the course.

“The real goal is to expose students to what real field work is.”

Christian Lacroix, the dean of science at UPEL, said there are many benefits for those taking the course.

“Tt will definitely benefit [students] in terms of getting a feel for what they'll find in the sea.”

The course is being taught by Russel Kerr, a Canada Research Chair in Marine Natural Products, as well as Withers, a postdoctoral fellow.

Lacroix said the idea was the brainchild of Kerr and they have been planning and preparing for the course since his

arrival at UPEI last September.

UPEI students can explore local aquatic life with the new Bahamas Exchange Program

The university was given the oppor- tunity largely due to Jerry Roberts, who founded Three Beaches Marine Labora- tory on Great Abaco Island.

UPEI will equip the space in exchange for use of the facilities. Withers wasn’t sute of the university’s cost for the project at this point.

Along with the location of the course, there are also some other notable differ-

ences between this course and a regular

one, Withers said.

Whereas in a normal classroom setting teachers know the pre-determined an- swers, this trip will be about researching without having the answers, he said.

While most of the students’ time will be taken up by the fieldwork, they will have a chance to take in some Caribbean culture, but it won’t be what people gen- erally see when they visit the Bahamas’

numerous resorts.

In reality, the Bahamas is a very poor country and students will be exposed to that, Withers said.

“Tt’s usually a very eye-opening experi- CACC:

The course will cost $3,500, which

includes all expenses once they arrive.

_ Flight arrangements will cost extra and

ate the responsibility of the student. On the Air Canada website, flights during July start at roughly $400 each way.

The course is being offered to UPEI students as well as students from other universities, said Withers, It is also being offered to undergraduate and graduate students with the hope they will get a good mixture of students from all back- grounds.

They definitely want UPEI students to be represented, he said.

“Tt’s a very specialty-type course so opening it up to all students will ensure we get the number we’re looking for,” . said Lacroix.

There is no deadline for application as of yet, and no students have been cho- sen for the course, but more information can be found at wwwupei.ca/~science/ html/sea.html or by emailing Kerr and

Withers at seamedicines@upei.ca

UPEI students see new culture through exchange program

Christy Marsters Marsters is a journalism stu-

dent at Holland College

Some students looking to combine a love of travel and a desire for educa- tion within the next few years attended a student exchange information session at UPEI on Jan. 24.

Yanet Roncal, a UPEI psychology stu- dent, is thinking about going to Sweden next year though a cooperative exchange program offered by UPEI.

Being an exchange student would be good because multi-cultural things are enjoyable, she said.

“When I was little, my parents were go- ing to move [to Sweden] but they didn’t. Now I really want to go.”

UPEI has collaborated with other post-

secondary institutions from Sweden, Australia, the United States and most recently, Egypt, to give students an op- portunity to study in a different country while still paying UPEI tuition rates.

For student who can do a good job of representing UPEI academically and per- sonally, it’s an excellent chance to explore different cultures, said Ryan Woolftey, who conducted the information session.

“Tt allows for students to get out there.”

Kathleen McNeill, a UPEI psychology

student, said the chance to meet people

from other countries would be worth the

cost and she would apply for an ex- change program in Australia twice if the first attempt failed.

“It would be a really great experience

for anyone to do it.”

UPEI counsellor James Reddin agreed with McNeill.

Every student returning to UPEI from the exchange program comes back hav- ing a totally different experience, he said.

“They represent the best the school has to offer.”

Those who want to participate in the exchange program next year must com- plete five courses in the semester prior to the exchange with a minimum aver- age of 70 per cent, have recommended extracurricular and volunteer experience, be financially prepared, write an essay, have two references and fill out an ap- plication by Feb. 9.

These students will then be inter-

viewed and considered for next year.

anet Nonca

, a first-year psycology student at UPEI, is reading up on the student exchanges information booklet at an information session on Jan. 25. She is thinking about studying in Sweden through the UPEI student exchange

program next year.