Byron Bay, Australia – Ocean Conservation

Dates: May 14 – 24, 2027

Course Title: GAPC 398 – Ocean Conservation

Section Number: 001

Course Description: With the groundbreaking UN Global Ocean Treaty aiming to protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, understanding past successes and pitfalls of ocean conservation is vital if the world wants to achieve this ambitious agenda. Home to one of the magnificent natural wonders of the world - the Great Barrier Reef - and with coastlines adjoining three of the world’s five oceans, Australia is an important case study better to understand the trials and tribulations of ocean conservation. Focusing on the Great Barrier Reef and the Tweed-Byron Hope Spot, this course will explore ocean conservation initiatives, citizen science ventures, and community-based marine stewardship projects. This approach allows students to explore a range of marine conservation challenges and solutions across different ecosystems, while gaining practical experience with community-based monitoring and stewardship programs. Spending plenty of time at, on and in the South Pacific Ocean, we will come face to face with corals, turtles, sharks, manta rays, whales and dolphins, and many other important species while learning more about their habitats, the pressures they face and how we can better protect them. The course includes plenty of exciting and active water-based field trips in and around Byron Bay, Australia’s easternmost point and home to an iconic marine park with great species diversity, as well as an extended visit to the Great Barrier Reef.

Instructor: Professors Jessica O'Rourke & Joshua James (Australia/Pacific Center)

Credits: 3 liberal arts credits. All study abroad courses also count as Honors College credits for students in the Honors College. NO SUBSTITUTIONS.

Spring Term Meeting Day/Time: Tuesdays, 7:00–8:50 PM EST (Teams), 3/10/2027–5/4/2027

Travel Dates: May 14–24, 2027

Travel Details: Arrive in Byron Bay before 2 PM on 5/14/2027 (multiple airport options; Brisbane recommended for direct U.S. flights). Program ends in Brisbane at 5 PM on 5/24/2027. Airport transfer is not included.

Accommodation: Double or triple hotel rooms (Hotels TBA).

Fees:

Total Program Fee: $4,220.00 (does not include airfare)

This fee includes:

• All transport to activities and field trips
• Books and course materials
• Hotel accommodation
• Select meals
• Travel insurance

Sample Itinerary

• Day 1: Classroom session, lunch, seabird and turtle rescue visit, dinner.
• Day 2: Flight to the Great Barrier Reef (Lady Elliot Island), lunch, whale watching.
• Day 3: Snorkeling and kayaking on the Great Barrier Reef, lunch, free time.

Guidelines For All Courses

• Open to all undergraduate LIU students not graduating in May 2027.
• P1, P2, and P3 Pharmacy students are also invited to participate.
• Non-LIU undergraduate students are also welcome to enroll, but must pay the additional charge listed under Understanding Extra Fees below.
• These are spring courses with a travel component after the spring semester's coursework concludes.
• Courses meet no more than 5 times during the semester; students should keep Tuesdays from 7:00-8:50 PM on 3/10/2027–5/4/2027 open.
• Courses are typically capped around 22 students, depending on location, with a minimum of 10 students required to run.
• Students with a weekly meeting time conflict should contact Dr. Barton before enrolling. Please do not sign up for the course before speaking with Dr. Barton.
• Students must adhere to the conduct rules outlined in the Student Handbook while on all trips.
• If students do not adhere to these rules, they can be expelled from the trip at their own expense.

Travel Requirements

• All participants must carry a valid passport for the entire duration of travel – should expire at least six months after return.
• Travel insurance is included in the program fee and is mandatory for all participants.
• Students must comply with all LIU codes of conduct while abroad.
• U.S. citizens must obtain an Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601) before departure, applied for through the official Australian ETA mobile app (a small fee applies). The ETA covers short-term study of up to three months, which this program falls within. Non-U.S. citizens should reach out to the Center-specific Director below to discuss travel requirements.

Understanding Extra Fees

• $1,307.00 additional charge per credit over 18 for LIU undergraduate students.
• $1,549.00 additional charge per credit over 18 for LIU students in the professional phase of the Pharmacy program.
• $4,450.00 additional charge for non-LIU undergraduate visiting students.

Deadlines

Students must enroll by December 6, 2026.

Registration

Complete the registration form (https://forms.office.com/r/qudLmHcaKu) by December 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM to reserve your place in the course. Submitting the form confirms your commitment to take the course and your acceptance of liability for all associated travel fees.

A member of the Global College team will follow up to enroll you in the correct section; students cannot self-register for these courses through MyLIU. You must be available for the weekly virtual meeting time during the spring semester, as this is a for-credit class. If you have a time conflict due to a mandatory course, a varsity sport, or an LIU artistic requirement, email Gregory.Barton@liu.edu to discuss participating asynchronously through recordings. Please do not sign up for the course before speaking with Dr. Barton.

If a course is full, you may join the waitlist; if a spot opens, you will be notified directly and given 24 hours to claim it.

Students graduating in May 2027 cannot take these courses. Each course requires a minimum of 10 students to run — please wait for confirmation from the Global College team before booking flights.

Non-LIU students should email Global@liu.edu.

Scholarships

The Study Abroad Fellowship was created to help outstanding students study abroad during their undergraduate careers. The Fellowship is open to all students and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will be evaluated on their application quality, academic merit, extracurricular engagement, and financial need. Please note that the Fellowship is not a complete award and is only meant to supplement the overall cost.

Applications for spring break and May travel courses are due by November 1, 2026.

Students will be informed as soon as possible regarding decisions so they can register before the enrollment deadline.

Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/CkM2T3sYev

More Information

Information sessions:

• Post: Wednesday, September 9th from 12:30-1:45 PM in the Gold Coast Cinema (Hillwood Commons)
• Brooklyn: Tuesday, September 8th from 12:30-1:45 PM in the Honors College Lounge (Pratt 310)
• Virtual: Wednesday, September 9th from 6:00-7:00 PM (https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/215021017723521?p=ZJCg9GtyIHfDfuYMF9)
• The recording will be made available to all students via email!

Questions? Contact the Center Director below: