Field Course

Every summer, I teach field courses in Costa Rica. Students can apply for enrollment through Santa Clara's study abroad program here. Each student receives ten units (2 courses) of undergraduate upper-division credit. The courses are:

ANTH 197: Field Course: Primate Behavior
In this course we emphasize on-site field research with practical experience in the basic techniques of observation and field data analysis. Lectures emphasize core theoretical concepts in primatology, animal behavior, and community ecology with examples from field studies of New World primates. Each student conducts independent data collection to produce a completed scientific paper where they are the sole author. SCU: meets Science, Technology, and Society, STS pathway, and Biological Emphasis in Anthropology requirements.

ENVS 141/BIOL 157 : Environmental Biology in the Tropics. This summer course examines tropical biology and ecology and their relationship to issues of sustainable development. The course includes 1.5 weeks of instruction at SCU and 3.5 weeks of field study in Costa Rica. Particular emphasis on tropical ecology, community ecology, reforestation and restoration ecology, sustainable agriculture and fair trade, and ecotourism. Taught in conjunction with ANTH 197. Enrollment by application via International Programs. Also listed as BIOL 157. Prerequisite: BIOL 23 (if enrolled in BIOL 157), ENVS 21, ANTH 1, or permission from the instructor. SCU: Meets Natural Science, Sustainability pathway, Biology, ENVS requirements.

Each summer, the course takes place during SCU's second summer session (~July 29-September 1). The first week is lectures and preparation on the Santa Clara campus. We then travel to La Suerte Biological Field Station in Costa Rica on August 4, returning September 1. Each student proposes and completes an independent research project on any aspect of rain forest ecology.