May 17 - 28, 2026
BIOL 2006: Tropical Ecology, 3 credits CRN 63588
Fulfills the following General Ed Requirements: AIA, IHIP, PL, SI
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.
This course will meet during Spring semester 2026 (in Science Building) with Professor Picone and then the group will travel in May for ten exciting days to apply what was learned in the classroom!
Estimated Cost: $4,300 (subject to change)
Students should apply to the Global Ambassador Scholarship in September 2025. The scholarship will close on October 15. You will find out if you received the scholarship BEFORE the first payment deadline in November.
First Payment: Due Nov 15, 2025
Second Payment: Due Dec. 15, 2025
Third Payment: due Jan. 15, 2026
PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. Pending financial aid does not cover study abroad payments. Please call Student Accounts for more details at 978.665.4126.
View this presentation to learn more about the program
Itinerary (subject to change)
| Day | Event |
|---|---|
| May 17 | Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica. |
| May 18 | Drive to Bijagual Ecological Reserve for a tour of the reserve, a swim (weather permitting) and dinner. In the evening, take a Night Walk. |
| May 19 | Enjoy an early morning Bird Walk before departing for Finca Integral Didactica el Paraiso to tour a sustainable farm and learn about agroforestry. In the afternoon, depart for Pocosol Field Station. |
| May 20 | Take a Natural History Hike with a local guide before Service Learning in the afternoon. Take a Night Hike. |
| May 21 | Continue your Natural History Hikes and Service Learning. |
| May 22 |
Travel to the Monteverde Institute through the Arenal Lake. At the Monteverde Institute, listen to a presentation on the Sustainability and the Monteverde area. In the evening, enjoy free time in Santa Elena’s downtown. |
| May 23 | Hike the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and visit the Hummingbird Gallery. In the evening, meet with bat biologists for bat mist-netting at the Crandell Reserve. |
| May 24 | Visit LIFE Coffee Farm and engage in service-learning opportunities. |
| May 25 | Work on a reforestation activity with MVI. Tour El Cafetal and learn about coffee production. Enjoy a farm-to-table cooking class during a workshop on Food Security and Sustainable Food Production. |
| May 26 | Travel to Costa de Pajaros through Guacimal and learn about the diverse ecosystems while in route. Take a boat tour of the mangroves and learn about sustainable fisheries. Stop at the island for time at the beach. Travel to Manzanillo. |
| May 27 | Take part in Mangrove restoration. In the afternoon, stop at Playa Caldera on the way back to San Jose. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner. |
| May 28 | Depart Costa Rica. |