Students study marine ecosystems in summer research

Sandy beaches, crystal waters, snorkeling.  It sounds like a vacation until you add in seventy-plus hours of field experience, nightly lab discussions, research group projects, and then writing and presenting the findings – all in less than two weeks’ time.

This summer 14 students had the opportunity to participate in a field experience lab in the Bahamas to wind up their spring semester class Tropical Marine Biology. The course was created six years ago by Gettysburg College Biology Prof. Istvan Urcuyo and is offered every other spring.

Most of the courses in the biology department have both a lecture and lab.  In the case of Tropical Marine Biology, the required lab takes place after the semester ends.

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