Students must be vaccinated by university policy, provider policy and international travel entrance requirements.
BIOL 2006: Tropical Ecology
CRN 63588
3 credits
This course will survey the ecology of terrestrial ecosystems in Costa Rica, including rainforest, cloud forest, dry forest, and agricultural systems. Recurring themes will be similarities and connections between native ecosystems and agricultural systems. Students will take the course that will meet weekly throughout the spring semester.
Students will take the course that will meet weekly throughout the spring semester (Mondays 2 - 3:15 p.m.), and then travel in May for ten full days in Costa Rica.
Estimated Price: $3,450
PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
Students will hear back about the Global Ambassador Scholarship in the first week of November.
View this presentation to learn more about the program
Sample Itinerary
| May 19 | Flight arrival at Juan Santa María Airport - mid-afternoon (MVI coordinator meets group at airport exit), Airport transfer and Hotel Aranjuez check-in Dinner at restaurant, program and country orientation, health and safety orientation |
| May 20 | Morning breakfast at hotel Drive to Bijagual Ecological Reserve Stop along the way to buy rubber boots and raincoats (approx. 3.5 hrs. + time to stop) Orientation to field station Students explore local trails in groups or with professor Dinner at station Lodging Bijagual Ecological Reserve |
| May 21 | Early morning breakfast at station Natural history hike - with tour guide(s) Afternoon depart for Pocosol (2 hrs. 10 min drive) Tour of a large-scale, industrial farm Arrive at Pocosol field station Orientation to Pocosol with MVI Coordinator and Professor |
| May 22 | Early morning natural history hike - with local guide (First half of the class) Breakfast and lunch at station Afternoon service learning at the station (Second half of the class) Dinner at station Night tour hike (2 small groups, one after the other) |
| May 23 | Early morning natural history hike - with local guide (Second half of the class) Breakfast and lunch at station Afternoon service learning at the station (First half of the class) Dinner at station |
| May 24 |
Morning breakfast at Lodge |
| May 25 | Breakfast at hotel Natural history hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve on Wilford Guindon trail to go by the hanging bridge. Hummingbird gallery visit. Presentation and Discussion: Land Use Change in Monteverde Free time in Monteverde – Monteverde Coffee Center, CASEM artisans cooperative, bakeries, Caburé chocolatier, Bat Jungle and cheese factory Pizza dinner at MVI Bat mist-netting after dinner (With Vino De Backer, bat biologist) at Crandell Reserve |
| May 26 | Breakfast at hotel Morning visit LIFE Monteverde coffee farm Discussion time with Guillermo about reforestation and community development Afternoon service-learning projects at Finca LIFE (e.g., make compost tea) Free time in Monteverde Dinner on your own |
| May 27 | Breakfast at hotel Morning presentation: Ocotea Monteverdensis: The story of the conservation of a critically endangered species in Costa Rica (with MVI reforestation program coordinator- Daniela Quesada) Reforestation service work (could include nursery work, collecting data for long-term research, and possibly planting depending on rains) Afternoon tour El Cafetal to learn all about coffee production |
| May 28 | Morning breakfast at hotel Transfer to Carara National Park, transition zone into the tropical dry forests of the northwest Afternoon boat tour of Tárcoles river estuary: avian and mangrove ecology and crocodiles (with local guide) Evening dinner at Villas Lapas Lodging Villas Lapas Hotel |
| May 29 | Morning Breakfast at hotel Spend time at Playa Blanca (optional snorkeling, kayak or swim) Debrief with MVI Staff (virtual session after the program) Evening farewell dinner at hotel |
| May 30 | Early morning breakfast at hotel or snack to go Transfer to airport for departure flight (approx. 3 hrs. drive) |