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BIOLOGY
98C
Welcome to
the Homepage for the VVC Malaysia adventure!
To obtain some general information, please view our promotional
presentation.
General Information
This 18-day, 3-unit
course, coordinated by Dr. Hinrich Kaiser, will be held during the 2005
Winter
Intersession (16 Jan–2 Feb). The course
is designed to (1) let students experience the tropical environment of
islands on the Sunda Shelf in Southeast Asia from a fieldwork and research
perspective, and (2) to combine this with a cultural perspective on East
and West Malaysia, the Sultanate of Brunei, and the cosmopolitan melting
pots of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The rainforest of Borneo and Peninsular
Malaysia are among the oldest and most diverse in the world and they are
also among the most vulnerable. We will experience much of this diversity
on excursions into pristine areas along the lower Kinabatangan River, the
montane diversity surrounding 13,000-foot-high Mount Kinabalu, in the Temburong
District of Brunei, on Pulau Pinang off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia,
and on Pulau Tioman in the South China Sea. We will also be able to see
tropical reefs surrounding some of the smaller continental shelf islands.
An emphasis will be placed on amphibians and reptiles and their adaptations
to life in the tropical forest, as an example for the high diversity of
animals in these forests.
Instructors
Dr. Hinrich Kaiser
Dr. Kaiser has been teaching General Biology at VVC since 2002. His research
experience in the tropics includes 15 years in the Caribbean and northern
South America and five years in the forests of the Sunda Shelf. His over
50 peer-reviewed publications and his editorship of an international
journal form a body of work that was recently recognized by his election
to the prestigious Linnean Society of London, England. For information
about this course, please contact Dr. Kaiser at kaiserh@vvc.edu or at
760-245-4271 x2772.
Pamela MacKay
Pamela MacKay has taught numerous courses in her long tenure at VVC,
and she recently served as Biology Department chair. She is an
expert botanist who has taken several student trips from VVC to
the tropics. Her most recent academic contribution has been the
acclaimed book Mojave Desert Wildflowers.
Course Itinerary
Before departure
in early January, students will attend 15 hours of mandatory evening
classes
(5.30–8.30 pm on January 3, 4,
5, 6, and 7). During these classes we will introduce the Southeast
Asian terrestrial and marine biotopes, the biogeography of the region,
the basics of reptile and amphibian anatomy and natural history,
the fundamentals of fieldwork, the preparation of a travel notebook,
and the culture of Sunda Shelf countries. Upon completion of the
class work, students will be examined on these topics (exam on January
10 at 5.30 pm). Following is a draft of the proposed schedule (minor
adjustments are possible depending on weather conditions and local
schedule changes).
| 16
Jan |
We
will meet at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Tom Bradley
International Terminal, Malaysia Airlines check-in counter
at 8 pm. Malaysia Airlines flight 095 departs LAX at 11.35
pm for Taipei and we will continue on to Kota Kinabalu and
Sandakan. We miss 17 Jan completely because we cross the international
dateline. |
| 18 Jan |
Arrival
in Sandakan is in the mid-afternoon. We will transfer by bus
to Sepilok Jungle Resort. After a short relaxing break we will
start into our jungle adventures at the Sepilok Nature Reserve.
We will head into the reserve to experience the jungle by night!
Flashlights are essential. After dinner everyone will be happy
to fall into bed. |
| 19 Jan |
After an
early breakfast, we visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation
Center, where we will observe the daily orangutan feeding and
visit the Sumatran rhino breeding enclosure. Dr. Petra Kretzschmar
will give a lecture in view of the rhino on their ecology and
conservation. After lunch we will depart by bus to the Kinabatangan
River for a boat ride through small river channels in search
of birds and proboscis monkeys. Make sure to have your camera
available for some incredible wildlife viewing. We return to
the resort for a late dinner. |
| 20 Jan |
In the morning
we transfer by bus and boat to Turtle Island National Park.
In the afternoon we will be able to walk the beach of Turtle
Island to look for turtle eggshells, sea snakes, rare lizards,
or sea birds. A refreshing late-afternoon snorkel is optional.
After dinner, the reserve warden will inform us when a turtle
is ready for us to take a look. After the egg-laying, we will
assist in releasing baby turtles from the hatchery. |
| 21 Jan |
In the early
morning we depart from Turtle Island and head to Poring Hot
Springs where a canopy walk and warm baths await. After lunch,
we will visit the Sabah Orchid Conservation Center. In the
late afternoon we transfer to Mt. Kinabalu National Park headquarters
and will visit their museum. In the evening we will be able
to walk through the small botanical garden in search of Rafflesia,
the world’s largest flower. |
| 22 Jan |
After an
optional sunrise walk in Mt. Kinabalu National Park, we transfer
to Kota Kinabalu airport to depart for Bandar Seri Begawan,
Brunei. We arrive in the early afternoon and immediately transfer
to Ulu Temburong National Park via water taxi and longboats.
A thrilling trip, through narrow river channels and upstream
into pristine rainforest. We will arrive at the National Park
Lodge near sunset and can explore the river by night to find
interesting frogs and snakes. It is possible to sleep outside
here safely, and this may be worth a try. |
| 23 Jan |
We rise
early to make it to the canopy walk in time for sunrise. After
breakfast we take our longboats even further upstream to the
Apan River mouth, where we will go on a supreme rainforest
walk to a swimmable waterfall. For the downriver journey we
will be able to continue on the longboats or switch to inflatable
rafts and paddle ourselves. At the Freme Rainforest Lodge we
will have a barbecue and may be able to visit a traditional
Iban longhouse. |
| 24 Jan |
We depart
Freme Rainforst Lodge in the early morning for Bandar Seri
Begawan to do a short city tour. In the early afternoon we
fly to Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. The afternoon
will be free to relax, sleep, shop, and recharge. The hotel
has a pool and excellent food can be had just outside at some
of the famous street markets. |
| 25 Jan |
In the morning
we visit famous Batu Caves and then the National Zoo. Again,
we will leave the afternoon to your own choices so that nobody
burns out. |
| 26 Jan |
At the crack
of dawn we transfer to the airport for a day trip to famed
Penang Island. Planned visits include the Kek Lok Si Temple,
the Butterfly Farm, the Reclining Buddha, the Burmese Temple,
the Snake Temple, the Tropical Spice Garden, and Penang Hill.
We return to Kuala Lumpur around 10 pm. |
| 27 Jan |
In the morning
we head for a different airport to fly to Tioman Island. After
lunch we take boats to Coral Island to look for giant geckos
and to do some snorkeling. On the return trip we stop at Salang
village for drinks, ice cream, and to see the giant water monitor
lizards. |
| 28 Jan |
Most of
this day will be spent in the incredible lowland dipterocarp
forest along the trail to Juara village. After this 5-hour
walk across the spine of this mountainous island, we have lunch
and return to our resort by boat. To show the difference between
day and night, we will return to the forest after dinner to
spend a couple of hours looking for animals, such as slow loris,
tree shrews, mouse deer, and nocturnal amphibians and reptiles. |
| 29 Jan |
In the morning
we plan a rainforest walk from Monkey Bay to Salang. After
lunch we visit the Berjaya waterfall. It is also possible to
rent Scuba diving equipment and go diving. Those who are so
inclined can return to the forest once more in the evening. |
| 30 Jan |
The morning
includes a boat trip to some incredible small islands off the
coast, where access is only by jumping off the boat into the
water. In the afternoon we visit a mangrove habitat. |
| 31 Jan |
After packing
up we fly to Singapore and check into our hotel. In the afternoon
we leave for the Singapore Zoo, the #1 zoo in the world and
its Night Safari. |
| 01 Feb |
After a
morning visit to Jurong Bird and Reptile Park, everyone can
enjoy a free afternoon in this great city. At 4 pm, we will
meet poolside at the hotel for the final written exam. Notebooks
will be due at this time. The evening will be spend at a celebratory
banquet in an Indonesian Restaurant along the Singapore River. |
| 02 Feb |
We return
to LAX via Kuala Lumpur and Taipei. We are scheduled to arrive
at 4.50 pm on the same day. |
Grading
There are four main components to the grading scheme for this course,
the pre-departure written exam (25%), a travel notebook (25%), a
final written exam (25%), and a participation component (25%).
The pre-departure written exam will cover the material of the lectures.
This is a serious exam to test rigorously your preparedness for this
course. You need to know the basic information before we go since
we will not have time to explain everything all over when standing
on a jungle trail. Ensure that you are prepared for this exam by
studying diligently!
The travel notebook will take the form of a lab notebook. In it
students will write a diary of their travels, to include in particular
aspects of the natural history we observed. I will lecture on the
details on how this should be done. Notebook writing will begin upon
departure at LAX and end on the day before the final written exam.
The final written exam will examine topics studied on the trip.
These could include aspects of animal or plant natural history, names
of places visited and animals seen, or even local customs observed.
We will go over the scope of questions periodically as the opportunity
arises. Because you will have lived through these topics, these questions
will be easily answered, as long as you pay attention when explanations
are given, and generally stay observant.
The participation component partly is an assurance that you remember
that this is a course and not a vacation. It is a very subjective
judgment, and it can balance out some academic performances. For
example, someone might be excellent in all of the academic components,
but if they are unenthusiastic, disturb the group, or are engaging
in behaviors that detract from the positive experience of others,
they may lose up to 25% of their grade! Conversely, if someone scores
poorly on some of the exam portions, their participation may allow
them to compensate.
Cost
The cost of this trip is US$ 2900. This price includes roundtrip
airfare from Los Angeles, transportation, lodging (in shared double
rooms), meals, tours, and entry fees. It is possible to add two days
in Singapore or two days in Kuala Lumpur for $150 (lodging and breakfast
only). The trip price does not include tuition, transfers to/from
LAX, prescriptions, personal effects, or travel insurance.
DEADLINES
Participants must make a $500 deposit by 15
Oct.
You must present us with a photocopy of a valid passport by 15 Nov,
on which date the initial deposit becomes nonrefundable.
The remaining $2400 is due by 1 Dec. Checks are payable to Time4Travel.
Options
Single Supplement
The supplement for single room occupancy is $250.
Add-on Days
It is possible to add two days in Singapore or two days in Kuala
Lumpur for $150 (lodging and breakfast only).
Last Modified: 2006-05-01.
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