- Tropical Rainforests

Institution:

The Evergreen State College

Subject:

Description:

Faculty: John T. Longino (biology), Paul Butler (geology) Major areas of study include ecology and evolution of tropical ecosystems, statistics for field biology, landscapes processes, weather and climate of tropical regions and introductory Spanish. Upper-division science credit will be awarded in all science areas. Class Standing: Juniors or seniors; transfer students welcome. Prerequisites: Introduction to Environmental Studies or one year of college-level science. Spanish is highly recommended. Faculty signature is required (see below). Faculty Signature: Students must submit an application. Assessment will be based primarily on writing skills and background knowledge in the sciences. Application forms are available from John T. Longino, (360) 867-6511, longinoj@evergreen. edu. Applications received by the Academic Fair, November 28, 2007, will be given priority. Qualified students will be accepted until the program fills. The tropics are the cradle of the world's biodiversity. This program will focus on Costa Rica, emphasizing biological richness, field ecology, the physical environment, statistical analysis of field data, conservation biology and Latin American culture. The first seven weeks of the program will be held on the Evergreen campus, followed by a three-week field trip to Costa Rica. The on-campus portion will include lectures and labs on global patterns of biological diversity, quantification and analysis of ecological diversity, an overview of major taxa of Neotropical plants and insects, and discussions of the physical environment of tropical regions. This material will be integrated with classes in introductory statistics and conversational Spanish. During the Costa Rica field trip, we will visit four major field sites, including coastal habitats, tropical dry forest, cloud forest and lowland rainforest. Students will learn about common plants and animals in each area, dominant landforms and ecological processes, conservation issues and current biological research activities. Students will also learn techniques of field research by participating in quantitative field labs, both faculty and student led. In the evenings there will be a series of guest lectures by research scientists. The field trip will require rigorous hiking and backpacking in remote locations. Total: 16 credits. Enrollment: 24 Special Expenses: Approximately $2,200 for a three-week field trip to Costa Rica. Program is preparatory for careers and future studies in environmental studies, ecology, conservation biology, evolutionary biology, geology, physical geography and Latin American studies. This program is also listed under Environmental Studies. A similar program is expected to be offered in 2009-10.

Credits:

16.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.evergreen.edu

Phone Number:

(360) 867-6170

Regional Accreditation:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Calendar System:

Quarter

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