TROPICAL FIELD ECOLOGY IN BRAZIL
Faculty Leaders: Dr. Angélica González (angelica.gonzalez@rutgers.edu), Dr. Amy Savage (as2481@scarletmail.rutgers.edu), Dr. John Dighton (dighton@camden.rutgers.edu), Department of Biology
Travel Dates: May 2017 (Approximately May 13-27, 2017)
Class Meeting Times: TBD (Spring semester 2017)
Course Number: 50:120:450, cross-listed with 56:120:551
Program Cost: Approximately $4,100*
To apply to the Brazil Biology program, click here: ►
This course will offer biology students the unique opportunity of hands-on experience on ecological processes and natural resource management challenges in a tropical area in Brazil (i.e., Macae). This area is not only scientifically interesting, but also culturally rich and illustrative of conservation challenges faced by developing countries. This field course on tropical ecology will focus on concepts, study design and field techniques in ecological research studying both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The course aims to provide students with hands-on experience in: (1) field methods for population, community and ecosystem ecology studies; (2) design and execution independent research; (3) hands-on experience using statistics to evaluate data from their own experiments; (4) experience the tropical rainforest; and (5) cultural experience by interacting with Brazilian researchers and students. The course will combine field ecology labs with an independent project that students will develop in the field, focusing on ecological questions at the population, community and ecosystem level. Readings, short lectures, and class discussions will provide the background for students to design their research projects, and the instructors will help students to carry out their research.
In the coursework leading up to the time spent in Brazil, the students will be exposed to ecological concepts, habitats, and the techniques they will use in the field using the NJ Pine Barrens (Rutgers Pinelands Field Station). This local skill building will not only allow students to learn techniques, but also allow students to make comparisons between temperate and tropical ecosystems. Knowing the field techniques prior to starting work in Brazil will make the students more confident and more productive. This course will be taught in collaboration with the Institute of Biology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. This course will be held at the Center for Ecological Studies in Macae (http://www.peld.biologia.ufrj.br/estacao_ing.htm), field station that contains diverse facilities including laboratories, classrooms, library, and computer rooms.
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PROGRAM COST INCLUDES |
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Airfare |
Housing |
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Some meals |
HTH Health Insurance |
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PROGRAM COST DOES NOT INCLUDE |
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Visa (required for all travelers!) |
Vaccinations |
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Passport Fee (for those without a valid passport) |
Airport Exit Fees (if applicable) |
*Program cost is approximate and subject to change. Program cost is in addition to tuition.