Download THE SCHOOL FOR FIELD STUDIES SFS Program Copy for Website Listings

THE SCHOOL FOR FIELD STUDIES
800.989.4418 • [email protected] • www.fieldstudies.org
SFS Program Copy for Website Listings
We hope the information provided in this document will aid in the process of updating SFS
listings on your school’s study abroad program offering descriptions. Should you run into any
questions, or need web quality program photos, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
PARTICULAR PROGRAM CHANGES TO NOTE:
SEMESTER:
Kenya/Tanzania: This semester program has transitioned to operating in Tanzania only.
Bhutan: This semester program was added in Fall 2015. Program field station location has been updated
and semester course titles have been added.
Cambodia: This semester program was added in Fall 2014.
Peru: This semester program was added in Fall 2014.
SUMMER:
Kenya Public Health: This has been removed from our offerings.
Panama: NEW Summer 1 program for 2016 – Tourism and Island Systems: Assessment of Sustainable Practices
Turks and Caicos Islands: The Summer 1 and 2 sessions can be taken back to back as of Summer 2015.
PROGRAM PREREQUISITES
• Applicants to semester programs must have completed at least one college-level ecology, biology, or
environmental studies/science course (or related coursework, as assessed by SFS)
• There are no course prerequisites for summer programs.
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Table of Contents
Australia: SFS Center for Rainforest Studies ................................................................................................ 3
Bhutan: SFS Program on Himalayan Studies ................................................................................................ 6
Cambodia: SFS Center for Mekong Studies .................................................................................................. 8
Costa Rica: SFS Center for Sustainable Development Studies ................................................................... 10
Panama: SFS Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies...................................................................... 12
Peru: SFS Center for Andes-Amazon Studies .............................................................................................. 14
Tanzania: SFS Center for Wildlife Management ......................................................................................... 16
Turks and Caicos Islands: SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies ........................................................... 18
For web quality program photos, please email [email protected].
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Australia: SFS Center for Rainforest Studies
TERMS
Semester Fall, Spring: Rainforest Studies
Summer Session I: New Zealand & Australia (4 weeks)
Session II: Australia only (4 weeks)
Summer Combined: Sessions I + II (8 weeks)
CREDITS
Semester 16 credits in environmental studies
Summer 4 credits (per session) in environmental studies
COURSES
Semester Rainforest Ecology
Principles of Forest Management
Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values
Directed Research
Summer Session I: Rainforest Management Studies
Session II: Techniques for Rainforest Research
PREREQUISITES
One semester of college-level ecology, biology or environmental science/studies
(semester only)
18 years of age
No prerequisites for summer programs
LOCATION
Semester Yungaburra, Queensland, Australia
Summer Session I: Northern New Zealand & Yungaburra, Queensland, Australia
Session II: Yungaburra, Queensland, Australia
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION English
APPLICATION DEADLINE None; rolling admissions
WEBSITE www.fieldstudies.org/australia
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION – General (For both semester & Summer)
Long Description:
Rainforest ecosystems are a “hot spot” for biodiversity, and provide humans with clean air, water, food, and medicines.
Still, thousands of acres disappear each day. Large areas of northeastern Queensland, Australia, were once covered in
spectacular rainforests, preserving millions of years of evolutionary history. Timber extraction, farming, and
development have destroyed and disrupted rainforest ecosystems and habitats in both countries. Many of Australia’s
tropical forests and species are now protected under World Heritage legislation; however, they are faced with threats
due to climate change and invasive species. Similar to Australia, in northern New Zealand, only fragments of the
country’s ancient forests remain to house the endemic fauna and flora.
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Students learn field research techniques as they collect data on:
• Potential responses to global climate change
• Habitat use and animal behaviors
• Resilience to disturbance
• Local resident involvement in restoration projects
• Cost-effective and ecologically beneficial methods of restoration
The field station is located in the heart of the traditional land of the Yidinjji people in a protected World Heritage forest.
Students share cabins nestled within the rainforest. Giant strangler figs, abundant vines and epiphytes, large pythons,
colorful parrots, giant cassowaries, bandicoots and tree kangaroos fill the Wet Tropics’ forests with color, sound, and
complexity.
Short Description:
Join SFS in northeastern Queensland and northern New Zealand’s ancient rainforests which have been greatly affected
by habitat loss, fragmentation and climate change. Student research aims to further the understanding of the dynamics
of rainforest ecosystems, including the potential impact of global climate change. The Rainforest Studies program gives
students a unique opportunity to travel to the tropical rainforest to both study and do hands-on field work on rainforest
management and restoration.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION – Semester ONLY
Long Description:
Rainforest ecosystems are a “hot spot” for biodiversity, and provide humans with clean air, water, food, and medicines.
Still, thousands of acres disappear each day. Large areas of northeastern Queensland, Australia, were once covered in
spectacular rainforests, preserving millions of years of evolutionary history. Timber extraction, farming, and
development have destroyed and disrupted these rainforest ecosystems and habitats. Many of Australia’s tropical
forests and species are now protected under World Heritage legislation; however, they face threats due to climate
change and invasive species.
The Rainforest Studies program builds understanding of the dynamics of rainforest ecosystems, including the potential
impact of global climate change. The goal of the program is to develop rainforest restoration and management
strategies that benefit both ecosystems and human communities, and that can serve as a model for conserving other
rainforests.
Student research contributes toward broader studies on global climate change, ecological integrity of rainforest
fragments, and developing restoration practices to maximize rates of plant growth and colonization by fauna.
Students learn field research techniques as they collect data on:
• Potential responses to global climate change
• Habitat use and animal behaviors
• Resilience to disturbance
• Local resident involvement in restoration projects
• Cost-effective and ecologically beneficial methods of restoration
The field station is located in the heart of the traditional land of the Yidinjji people in a protected World Heritage forest.
Students share cabins nestled within the rainforest. Giant strangler figs, abundant vines and epiphytes, large pythons,
colorful parrots, giant cassowaries, bandicoots and tree kangaroos fill the Wet Tropics’ forests with color, sound, and
complexity.
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Short Description:
Join SFS in Queensland, Australia to study and conduct research in rainforest management and restoration in the
country’s tropical rainforest. The region’s ancient rainforests have been greatly affected by habitat loss, fragmentation,
and climate change. Student research aims to further the understanding of the dynamics of rainforest ecosystems,
including the potential impact of global climate change. The Rainforest Studies program gives students a unique
opportunity to travel to the tropical rainforest to both study and do hands-on field work on rainforest management and
restoration.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION – Summer ONLY
Long Description:
Australia and New Zealand’s rainforests are faced with continual threats due to development, climate change, and
invasive species, leaving fragile fragments that are often too small or isolated to sustain some species. The Rainforest
Management Studies and Research Summer program provides a thorough introduction to biodiversity conservation, the
socioeconomic factors influencing land and resource management in two unique areas, and field research techniques.
Students attending Session I spend two weeks in northern New Zealand and two weeks in northeastern Queensland,
Australia. In New Zealand, students discover the critically endangered flora and fauna and the impacts that have led to
their decline. In Australia, students take their New Zealand experiences and examine similarities and differences in
political structure, co-management arrangements, land-use patterns, and biogeography.
During Session II, students explore Australia’s tropical rainforests, examine the effects of fragmentation in highly
endangered rainforest systems, and develop effective field research skills in multiple disciplines while learning about
rainforest restoration and conservation. The Rainforest Studies summer program gives students a unique opportunity to
travel to the tropical rainforest to both study and do hands-on field work on rainforest management and restoration.
Short Description:
Join SFS in Australia and New Zealand to study and conduct research in rainforest management and restoration in the
country’s tropical rainforest. The region’s ancient rainforests have been greatly affected by habitat loss, fragmentation,
and climate change. Student research aims to further the understanding of the dynamics of rainforest ecosystems,
including the potential impact of global climate change. The Rainforest Management Studies and Research Summer
program provides a thorough introduction to biodiversity conservation, the socioeconomic factors influencing land and
resource management in two unique areas, and field research techniques.
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Bhutan: SFS Program on Himalayan Studies
TERMS
Semester Fall ONLY: Himalayan Environment and Society in Transition
Summer
CREDITS
Semester
Summer
COURSES
Semester
6 week program
16 credits in environmental studies; additional 2 credits in language/culture
6 credits in environmental studies
Political and Socioeconomic Dimensions of Environment
Mountain Ecology
Land Use, Natural Resources, and Conservation
Directed Research
Religion and Culture of Bhutan (2 credits)
Summer Eastern Himalayan Forests and Rural Livelihoods
PREREQUISITES
One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental science/studies
(semester only)
18 years of age
No prerequisites for summer program
LOCATION
Semester Bumthang District, Bhutan
Summer Bumthang District, Bhutan
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION English instruction with 2-credit Bhutanese language and culture course (semester only)
APPLICATION DEADLINE Rolling admissions, however Summer 1 Session applications will not be accepted after
April 15th and Fall Term applications will not be accepted after July 15th of the program
year.
WEBSITE www.fieldstudies.org/bhutan
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Long Description:
Join SFS in Bhutan, a Himalayan country characterized by towering mountains, lush forests, and a unique cultural
heritage, where progress and development is also evaluated on the basis of cultural preservation and environmental
conservation rather than purely economic achievements. Bhutan has also been identified as one of the top-10
biodiversity hot spots in the world. As species do not keep to political boundaries, and since Bhutan is modernizing
rapidly, we are considering how Bhutan can secure its rich culture and biodiversity in the face of change.
Traveling across Bhutan, and focusing their studies in the central districts, students learn about Bhutanese culture,
environment, and rural development in a country in transition. SFS has a partnership with the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute
for Conservation and Environment (UWICE), an international research and training facility in Bhutan. Students contribute to
the advancement of the Institute’s research agenda in several priority areas, including sustainable forestry, conservation
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biology, water resources, and socioeconomic policy.
The field station is located at the UWICE campus, set in the pastoral Chokhor Valley in the central district of Bumthang.
The facility is the former palace of Bhutan’s first king, built in traditional Bhutanese architecture with colorful
decorations both inside and out.
Short Description:
Join SFS in Bhutan, a Himalayan country characterized by towering mountains, lush forests, and a unique cultural
heritage, where progress and development is also evaluated on the basis of cultural preservation and environmental
conservation rather than purely economic achievements. Research focuses on sustainable forestry, conservation biology,
water resources, and socioeconomic policy.
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Cambodia: SFS Center for Mekong Studies
TERMS
Semester Fall, Spring: River Ecosystems and Environmental Ethics
CREDITS
Semester 16 credits in environmental studies; additional 2 credits in language/culture
COURSES
Semester Environmental Ethics and Development
Conservation Science and Practice
Ecosystems and Livelihoods Along the Mekong
Directed Research
Language and Culture of Cambodia and Vietnam (2 credits)
PREREQUISITES
One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental science/studies
18 years of age
LOCATION Siem Reap, Cambodia
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION English instruction with 2-credit Khmer language and Southeast Asian culture course
APPLICATION DEADLINE None; rolling admissions
WEBSITE www.fieldstudies.org/mekong
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Long Description:
Join SFS in Cambodia where students learn about the mighty Mekong River and its importance to the region’s
ecosystems and people. From its headwaters in the Tibetan plateau to its end in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, the river
provides habitats to threatened species and sustains millions of people. The Mekong basin is home to the Irrawaddy
dolphin, Cantor’s giant softshell turtle, and other endangered species, and hosts diverse terrestrial eco-regions including
tropical forests, flooded forests, and estuarine mangroves.
Emerging from conflict, Cambodia and Vietnam are engaged in rapid economic development, which will have profound
effects on the natural and cultural landscapes of the region and the livelihoods of their residents. While there are high
levels of biodiversity in the lower Mekong, conservation efforts are only just beginning. Students identify the drivers of
environmental change, and seek ways to mitigate the damage to natural systems while maintaining human livelihoods.
Student research plays a critical role in local capacity-building: through education, benchmarking environmental
conditions, and monitoring the rapid changes to natural systems within this vibrant region.
The primary field station is located near the famed Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site. Angkor serves as a backdrop for
understanding Buddhist cosmology and the deep historical and spiritual connectedness that humans feel with nature.
Students follow the Mekong River during a month-long expedition across urban and rural Cambodia and the Mekong
Delta. While on the road, students visit key conservation sites, gain appreciation for the region’s recent history and have
the opportunity to experience the contrasting political, social and economic systems in the two countries. The month of
travel includes visits to rural Kratie, the capital Phnom Penh, Kampot on the Cambodian coast, and Can Tho University in
Vietnam.
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Short Description:
Join SFS in Cambodia where students learn about the mighty Mekong River and its importance to the region’s
ecosystems and people. The Mekong basin is home to the Irrawaddy dolphin, Cantor’s giant softshell turtle, and other
endangered species, and hosts diverse terrestrial eco-regions including tropical forests, flooded forests, and estuarine
mangroves. The primary field station is located near the famed Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Costa Rica: SFS Center for Sustainable Development Studies
TERMS
Semester Fall, Spring: Sustainable Development Studies
Summer Session I: 4 weeks
Session II: 4 weeks
Summer Combined: Sessions I + II (8 weeks)
CREDITS
Semester 16 credits in environmental studies; additional 2 credits in language/culture
Summer 4 credits (per session) in environmental studies
COURSES
Semester Tropical Ecology and Sustainable Development
Economic and Ethical Issues in Sustainable Development
Principles of Resource Management
Directed Research
Language, Culture and Society of Costa Rica (2 credits)
Summer Session I: Sustaining Tropical Ecosystems: Biodiversity, Conservation & Development
Session II: Applied Research Techniques and Strategies Toward Sustainability
PREREQUISITES
One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental science/studies
(semester only)
18 years of age
No prerequisites for summer programs
LOCATION Atenas, Costa Rica
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION English with 2-credit Spanish language and culture course (semester only)
APPLICATION DEADLINE None; rolling admissions
WEBSITE www.fieldstudies.org/costarica
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Long Description:
Join SFS in Costa Rica, known worldwide for its conservation efforts which have attracted millions of tourists to the
country’s parks and reserves. It is home to beautiful cloud forests, dry forests, volcanoes, lowland rainforests, and
plantations and supports more than five percent of the world’s biodiversity. However, the ongoing transition from an
agriculture-based to a service economy, climate change, and accelerated infrastructural development threaten Costa
Rica’s biodiversity and society. As rural areas give way to urban development, already scarce resources, including fresh
water and energy sources, are stretched to their limit. The Sustainable Development Studies program provides the
opportunity for students to examine the effects of globalization on classic development issues such as agriculture,
biodiversity protection, economic development, urban sprawl, population growth, waste management, and water
resources.
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Students learn field research techniques as they:
• Examine resource management schemes
• Identify the benefits of protected areas
• Determine which systems offer the best option for economic development, the maintenance of cultural norms,
and the preservation of biodiversity
The field station is near the friendly town of Atenas and is integrated with a Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM mango and
orange farm overlooking the fertile Central Valley.
Short Description:
Join SFS in Costa Rica, a country that is resource-rich, wonderfully biodiverse and, while rapidly developing, is
increasingly recognized for its efforts to ensure conservation and the protection of natural resources. The Sustainable
Development Studies program focuses on evaluating the actual success of Costa Rica’s world-renowned conservation
systems and developing alternative strategies for economic development and biodiversity conservation.
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Panama: SFS Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies
TERMS
Semester Fall, Spring: Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies
Summer Session I: 4 weeks
Summer Combined: Sessions I in Panama + II in Costa Rica (8 weeks)
CREDITS
Semester 16 credits in environmental studies; additional 2 credits in language/culture
Summer 4 credits (per session) in environmental studies
COURSES
Semester Tropical Coastal Ecology
Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values
Principles of Resource Management
Directed Research
Language, Culture and Society of Panama (2 credits)
Summer Session I (Panama): Tourism and Island Systems: Assessment of Sustainable Practices
Session II (Costa Rica): Applied Research Techniques and Strategies Toward
Sustainability
PREREQUISITES
One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental science/studies
18 years of age
LOCATION Bocas del Toro, Panama
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION English with 2-credit Spanish language and culture course
APPLICATION DEADLINE None; rolling admissions
WEBSITE www.fieldstudies.org/panama
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Long Description:
The Bocas del Toro archipelago, located on the Caribbean coast, is a complex and biologically diverse area composed of
islands, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows. The archipelago hosts more marine and terrestrial
species than almost anywhere else on Earth. The biodiversity of these island systems, however, is under threat from a
variety of human and natural pressures, including climate change, logging, and expanding farming and ranching, all of
which put delicate coral reefs and rainforests at risk. Combining scientific research with local and indigenous knowledge
is crucial for the conservation and management of this wild and magnificent area.
This program provides students with an exciting opportunity to conduct research and explore the rural Caribbean and
the isthmus of Panama. The goal of this program is to:
• Assess the state of the archipelago’s fragile natural habitats
• Define the main environmental issues
• Understand the community goals in natural resource management.
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Through coursework and research, students gain an understanding of the interdependence of livelihood strategies of
island residents, population structure of key species, and habitat arrangements and conditions, and then apply
sustainability principles to define potential management strategies.
The field station is located on a quiet waterfront on Isla Colon, the most populous island in the Bocas del Toro
archipelago. The sounds of frogs, birds, and monkeys along with clear, Caribbean waters are the backyard of the Center.
Due to the Center’s central location, the coral reefs, jungles and beaches of Bocas are only short distances away.
Short Description:
Join SFS in Panama’s Bocas del Toro archipelago where students study the state of the island system’s fragile natural
habitats, defining the main environmental issues and understanding the community’s goals in natural resource
management. The archipelago hosts more marine and terrestrial species than almost anywhere else on Earth.
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Peru: SFS Center for Andes-Amazon Studies
TERMS
Semester Fall, Spring: Biodiversity and Development in the Andes-Amazon
CREDITS
Semester 16 credits in environmental studies; additional 2 credits in language/culture
COURSES
Semester Tropical Ecology of the Andes-Amazon
Political Ecology of Developing Landscapes
Conservation Science and Practice
Directed Research
Language, Culture and Society of Peru (2 credits)
PREREQUISITES
One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental science/studies
18 years of age
LOCATION Pillcopata, Peru
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION English with 2-credit Spanish language and culture course
APPLICATION DEADLINE None; rolling admissions
WEBSITE www.fieldstudies.org/peru
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Long Description:
Join SFS in Peru, a leading destination for biodiversity enthusiasts, anthropologists, scientists, educators, and students
from around the world. With extensive humid tropical rainforest, highland forests that make up the upper reach of the
Amazon watershed, and the dramatic elevation gradient upward to the continental towers of the Andes Mountains, Peru
easily earns itself a place among the five most mega-diverse countries in the world. The complex topography and array
of habitats support diverse flora and fauna and are also home to many indigenous groups.
Southeastern Peru is a region rich in natural resources, yet the ecosystems, habitats, and species that comprise the
biodiversity and provide services to local residents are threatened by rapid and unplanned urban and peri-urban
development, expansion of road systems, unregulated logging and mining, and high-input agriculture. Students work
with local communities to examine how their social fabric is threatened by environmental degradation associated with
these industries and inequities in rural development.
Students take multi-day excursions to both the pristine lowland Amazon rainforest of Manu National Park and to the
Sacred Valley of the Incas in the Andes, including the opportunity to visit the famous Machu-Picchu UNESCO WorldHeritage Site.
The field station is located deep in the Peruvian Amazon surrounded by a wide variety of habitats including intact but
disturbed rainforest, secondary forests, streams, rivers, waterfalls, and a diverse range of flora and fauna.
Short Description:
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In southern Peru, this hands-on program explores the forests, fields, communities and rivers along the elevational
gradient from the Andes Mountains to the lowland Amazon rainforest. The field station is located deep in the Peruvian
Amazon surrounded by a wide variety of habitats.
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Tanzania: SFS Center for Wildlife Management
NOTE: SFS has suspended Kenya operations for the Wildlife Management Studies program. While this program was
previously run as a two country program, it will now operate in Tanzania only.
TERMS
Semester Fall, Spring: Wildlife Management Studies
Summer Session I: Tanzania only (4 weeks)
Session II: Tanzania (4 weeks)
Summer Combined: Sessions I + II (8 weeks)
CREDITS
Semester 16 credits in environmental studies; additional 2 credits in language/culture
Summer 4 credits (per session) in environmental studies
COURSES
Semester Techniques in Wildlife Management
Wildlife Ecology
Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values
Directed Research
Intro to Swahili Language and East African Tribal Communities (2 credits)
Summer Session I: Wildlife Management and Conservation
Session II: Techniques in Wildlife Field Research
PREREQUISITES
One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental science/studies
(semester only)
18 years of age
No prerequisites for summer programs
LOCATION
Semester Rhotia, Manyara area, Tanzania
Summer Session I: Rhotia, Manyara area, Tanzania
Session II: Rhotia, Manyara area, Tanzania
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION English with 2-credit Swahili language and culture course (semester only)
APPLICATION DEADLINE None; rolling admissions
WEBSITE www.fieldstudies.org/eastafrica
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Long Description:
Northern Tanzania offers a tightly packed hub for wildlife tourism. The area is home to world-famous national parks,
such as Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This extremely scenic
area, which is the center of tourism in East Africa, has been the home of the Maasai, Iraqw, and other groups for
centuries.
The Wildlife Management Studies semester program allows students to examine how land-use practices within Maasai
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group ranches can be sustainably managed to promote both local economic livelihoods and wildlife conservation.
Students gain a general overview of cultural perceptions, conservation issues, wildlife dispersal areas, and biodiversity
conservation in Tanzania while meeting and interviewing wildlife managers and members of the Maasai community.
The summer program exposes students to a rich array of issues related to wildlife management and conservation, and in
methods and practices in wildlife field research.
The Center for Wildlife Management Studies field station, Moyo Hill Camp, is located in northern Tanzania in the
Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem between Lake Manyara National Park and the famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Short Description:
The Wildlife Management Studies program allows students to examine how land-use practices within Maasai group
ranches can be sustainably managed to promote both local economic livelihoods and wildlife conservation. Students gain
a general overview of cultural perceptions, conservation issues, and human/wildlife interaction in Tanzania while
meeting and interviewing wildlife managers and members of the Maasai community.
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Turks and Caicos Islands: SFS Center for Marine
Resource Studies
TERMS
Semester Fall, Spring: Marine Resource Studies
Summer Session I: 4 weeks
Session II: 4 weeks
Summer Combined: Sessions I + II (8 weeks)
CREDITS
Semester 16 credits in environmental studies
Summer 4 credits (per session) in environmental studies
COURSES
Semester Tropical Marine Ecology
Principles of Resource Management
Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values
Directed Research
Summer Session I: Tropical Marine Ecosystems: Monitoring and Management
Session II: Applied Marine Research Techniques
PREREQUISITES
One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental science/studies
(semester only)
18 years of age
No prerequisites for summer programs
LOCATION South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION English
APPLICATION DEADLINE None; rolling admissions
WEBSITE www.fieldstudies.org/tci
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Long Description:
The clear waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) are considered among the world’s top 10 diving destinations,
where vibrant coral reefs, a dramatic sea wall, and a deep ocean trench harbor a stunning diversity of sea life, from
corals to whales. The charismatic fauna include more than 300 species of fish and the colorful and cryptic biota is easily
spotted in the warm waters just steps from our field station. Nearby seagrass beds, mangroves, sandy shoals, and reefs
lend a patchwork appearance to the miles of shallow blue waters that surround the Islands. But beneath the turquoise
waters, a delicate ecosystem is under assault.
A relatively healthy ecosystem supports much of the community on South Caicos Island, with fisheries providing the
primary source of livelihood. However, pollution and increased extraction of precious marine resources, coupled with
large-scale, unsustainable tourism and industrial development, is very likely to inflict irreparable damage to this delicate
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ecosystem. Depletion of key resources would have a dramatic impact on employment and social structure on South
Caicos Island. Developing sustainable fisheries is essential if this resource-dependent community is to survive. SFS is
working with the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) and the National
Park Service to develop management strategies to help conserve marine biodiversity and provide economic
opportunities for island residents.
Snorkeling and SCUBA diving in the waters surrounding South Caicos, students learn field research and monitoring
techniques to identify and assess the health of a wide range of marine organisms and habitats. Students learn to identify
and observe the behavior of marine species, assess coastal and marine habitats, and quantify fisheries resources through
hours of training, observation, and study in the water. In the community, students grapple with the challenges of
assessing the rights and needs of local stakeholders and reconciling those with conservation goals.
The field station is just steps from the ocean with coral reefs, barrier islands, mangroves, and seagrass beds within a
three-mile radius.
Short Description:
The turquoise waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands offer students the perfect laboratory for Marine Resource Studies.
Snorkeling and SCUBA diving in the waters surrounding South Caicos, students learn field research and monitoring
techniques to identify and assess the health of a wide range of marine organisms and habitats. Students learn to identify
and observe the behavior of marine species, assess coastal and marine habitats, and quantify fisheries resources through
hours of training, observation, and study in the water.
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