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ITME
& Its Mission |
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The
Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology (ITME) is a not-for-profit organization
providing tertiary education and research training in marine
biology and environmental studies at its field station in Dominica,
Lesser Antilles.
ITME further serves a resource center (environmental data,
training, consultancies) for Dominica's general public, as well as
for national and international organizations. The Institute's year-round
field station is an ideal base of operations for visiting researchers
and university groups, and unique meeting point in the Eastern
Caribbean.
As institutional member of the Association of Marine Laboratories
of the Caribbean (ALMC), ITME is a collaborating partner
of various Caribbean-wide projects and initiatives. |
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The
principal academic mission of ITME is to raise scientific environmental
awareness by engaging university students in the advancement of
marine sciences. Currently this mission is carried out in Dominica
in an effort to generate the resource assessments necessary for
conservation initiatives, and to introduce this island/region to
marine scientists and nature enthusiasts.
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Continuous
urbanization of society has led to a decrease in public understanding
of fundamental processes in nature. At the same time, concern
for conservation of natural resources has increased. There is
growing recognition that this discrepancy needs to be addressed
in an educational forum. Given current population growth, and
the increasing demand for depletable natural resources, pure and
applied sciences must be drawn together. ITME's rigorous interdisciplinary
and experiential academic approach, engages the aspiring scientist
in stringent field-based marine research. Where appropriate, ITME
programs link socio-economic findings with environmental data,
while remaining firmly anchored in biological disciplines.
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Education
/ University Programs |
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The
Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology is Dominica's first and
so far only institution offering internationally recognized
and accredited tertiary education in marine biology and research
training.
Semester
Program / Research Program (12 weeks)
•
ITME AC 302 - Principles of Tropical Marine Ecology -
4 credits
• ITME AC 301 - Nat. Hist. and ID of Marine Organisms
- 4 credits
• ITME AC 303 - Marine Research Methodology -
4 credits
• ITME AC 304 - Marine Resource Conservation
- 4 credits
Summer
Program (4 weeks)
•
ITME AC 305 - Tropical Marine Ecology & Conservation
- 4 credits
• ITME AC 306 - Caribbean Issues of Marine Resource Use
- 1 credit
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Research |
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Defining Marine Resources:
One of the Institute's main objectives is to assist in defining
the benthic marine resources. Prior to the establishment of ITME
no permanent independent marine research base had existed on the
island. Environmental data was scarce and not easily accessible.
The Institute is now building a data base and distributing environmental
data to governmental as well as non-governmental agencies.
Reef
Health: The status of corals reefs is being monitored via
the assessment of live cover of corals and other sessile invertebrates,
as well as algae, coral diseases and the density of vagile organism
groups (i.e. Diadema antillarum).
Special
Topics: The institute also engages in series of other topics
(e.g. aereobiology - fungi and heavy metals in Sahara Dust Particles)
in collaboration with visiting scientists.
Reports
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Community
Outreach |
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Peer Teaching: Students
and faculty regularly visit school and colleges in Dominica to
give lectures and workshops on marine issues. The aim is to raise
public awareness about the island's marine resources and the threats
currently
affecting coastal ecosystems. Thes sessions complement the
ITME Public Lecture Series held regularily in Collaboration
with UWI, Roseau.
Media:
The Institute frequently accesses printed media as well as radio
and TV companies to disseminate new findings. In many instances
students thus first publicize their research reports and presentations.
Collaborations
with the Government of Dominica: The main objective is to
provide the government with environmental data and technical background
on the status of marine environments around the island. ITME has
also been assisting the Government of Dominica in its National
Policy for the Adaptation to Climate Change, as well as the Biodiversity
Act and numerous other environment projects.
Outreach
Projects
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