JMU in Costa Rica: Tropical Biology

Summer 2008: May 18- June 3

Academic Program

The course emphasizes the ecology and organisms of the Tropical Ecosystems. Students will learn to identify tropical species, and will study the life history, ecology, and behavior of these organisms.  We will visit the tropical rain forest, the dry forest and the pre-montane forest.  For the tropical rain forest we will visit La Selva Biological Station. This location is characterized by different species of mammals as peccaries, agoutis, sloth, howler and spider monkeys, pumas etc.   The pre-montane forest will be studied at Las Cruces and the Wilson Botanical Garden.  This area has 25 acres of gardens that include palms and other tropical trees as bananas and bamboos, cycads and ferns.  It also has a spectacular bird and butterfly fauna, also we can see a rich collection of mammals such as armadillos, porcupines, kinkajous etc.  The Tropical Dry Forest will be studied at Palo Verde Biological Station.  This station is house for many waterfowl, and a great diversity of mammals.  We also visit waterfalls, the Pacific Ocean and volcanoes.

Instructional methods include lectures, guided tours, field work, journal assignments and/or papers.

Tentative course offerings:
BIO TBA Tropical Biology, 3 credits

Accommodations

Students will reside in hotels and field stations in Costa Rica. Group meals will be provided.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

Applicants must have taken Biology 114.

For More Information

For additional information about the JMU in Costa Rica: Tropical Biology program, please contact the program director:

Dr. Maria Carolina Yaber
Instructor
Biology Department
Tel: 540-568-2663
E-mail: yabermc@jmu.edu