Neo-Tropical Ecology and Service-Learning
 Costa Rica
3 credits in Biology
May 27 – June 7, 2008
Professor Edward Crawford
$1,710 + airfare + VCU tuition
Registration deadline: March 15, 2008
Program description and application [PDF]
The Office of International Education and the Department of Biology are offering an opportunity to study neo-tropical ecology and participate in service learning in Costa Rica. The program takes place at the Campanario Biological Station on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, where students will engage in activities such as hiking through a cloud forest, studying mangrove ecology, snorkeling on a coral reef and learning about nocturnal organisms through night hikes. Students will have several overnight excursions to complement the experience.
Course and credit options: BIOL 491: Neo-Tropical Ecology and Service-Learning
3 credits
Course description: Students will learn about the eco-regions, geography, climate and culture of Costa Rica. They will be actively engaged in lectures regarding the ecology of tropical cloud forests, rain forests, mangrove forests, lotic and marine ecosystems (including coral reef and tide pool). Students will conduct field investigations within each of these ecosystems and participate in ongoing research and data collection activities (data collection from tree platforms within rainforest canopy and within bat caves etc.). Students will learn to identify tropical marine and terrestrial flora and fauna. They will conduct service-learning activities within Campanario Biological Station or within nearby Corcovado National Park. Students will investigate the critical role of private and public conservation practices in Costa Rica and visit several community conservation projects. Students will help establish and contribute to long-term ecological monitoring programs at Campanario Biological Station.
2008 estimated program budget
Program cost: $1,710 + airfare + applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $1,710 and includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Meals
- Study visits and tours
- Ground transportation
- On-site program director support
- Application fee and deposit
- Pre-departure orientation
- VCU administrative fees
- International student identification card
The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- Airfare
- VCU tuition and fees
- Passport application fee
- Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $50)
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Airfare: Airfare is not included. The professor will advise students of travel arrangements between the United States and Costa Rica. Students should plan to arrive in San Jose on May 27.
Eligibility: Students must have a 2.0 GPA in order to participate in the VCU summer study abroad program. All applicants must have completed BIOL 317 or have permission of director.
Registration deadline: March 1, 2008. Applications will be accepted until the deadline or until participant space is full.
Activities and excursions: Day hike to Corcovado National Park, hiking in a cloud forest (search for Quetzal) and highland bog, kayaking in the Sierpe-Terraba Mangrove Forest Reserve (A RAMSAR wetlands protected area), hikes in coastal tropical rain forests, working in a bat cave, examining canopy life (climbing to elevated tree platforms), morning and night hikes in coastal rain forest, snorkeling on a coral reef, exploring tide pools and seining freshwater streams, trip to a water fall/swimming hole, visit to Diquis Indians burial grounds, visit community conservation projects, visit to a plantation, , local craft shopping and farewell dinner. Overnight excursions include Talamancas, Sierpe and Campanario.
Accommodations and meals: The students will be housed in on-campus dorms at Campanario Biological Station. All meals will be included.
Program director: The program will be led by Professor Edward Crawford of the Department of Biology. Crawford has led many VCU overnight field trips and has led a group of students to Costa Rica with the VCU Outdoor Adventure Program. Crawford is Wilderness First Aid certified and has extensive experience managing students in remote areas.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs.
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