Location

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Program Description

This immersive field-based course explores elements of the exemplary geology and the rich marine and terrestrial ecology of the Caribbean, with a primary focus on the archipelago of Puerto Rico. Students will investigate the region’s unique karst landscapes, vibrant coral reef ecosystems, and diverse forest biomes.

More than 50% of the Caribbean is underlain by karst terrain formed on carbonate rocks dating from the Holocene to the Jurassic, and in Puerto Rico, Oligocene and Miocene limestones offer a window into the geological evolution of the region, revealing insights into tectonic activity, sea level changes, and the development of karst features such as sinkholes, caves, and underground rivers.

This program offers geology and biology students an unforgettable opportunity to explore Puerto Rico’s dynamic natural systems through immersive, hands-on fieldwork. First, students will study world-class karst landscapes, coral reefs, and tropical forests alongside local scientists and experts. Second, they’ll live in beachside accommodations in Arecibo, gaining direct exposure to Puerto Rican culture and ecosystems.

In the weeks leading up to the trip, students will meet once a week to explore foundational concepts and prepare for fieldwork. These sessions will introduce key topics such as karst geology, coral reef ecology, tropical forest ecosystems, and the cultural and archaeological history of Puerto Rico. Students will also gain familiarity with field methods, research tools, and the broader environmental and societal context of the sites they will visit. The highlight of the course is a week-long field experience in Puerto Rico during spring break, where students will apply their classroom learning in real-world settings. Through daily excursions to ecologically and geologically significant locations, students will observe and analyze natural systems firsthand.

Location Description

This course is based in the ecologically and culturally rich archipelago of Puerto Rico. Locations serve as dynamic outdoor classrooms where students can explore the island’s diverse natural and cultural landscapes. In some sites, students will engage with local experts—including geologists, ecologists, archaeologists, and cultural historians—to explore the archaeological significance, contemporary cultural relevance, and geological or geographical uniqueness of the area.

Ecologically, Puerto Rico is a biodiversity hotspot, home to El Yunque National Forest—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System—which supports a wide range of endemic species and plays a vital role in regional hydrology and climate regulation. Additionally, the course includes the examination of coral reef ecosystems—among the most biologically diverse marine habitats in the Caribbean—which provide essential services such as shoreline protection, fisheries support, and carbon cycling.

Director

Angel Garcia Jr. | garci4aa@jmu.edu | Geology and Environmental Science

Kelsey Reider | reiderke@jmu.edu | Biology

Accommodations

Students will be housed in furnished, apartment-style accommodations known locally as Paradores, located in the beachside town of Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Each apartment includes multiple bedrooms, with two students sharing a room that features a private bathroom. The units are equipped with air conditioning, internet access, and a full kitchen, offering a comfortable and convenient living space during the field portion of the course. While laundry facilities are not available on-site, students will have access to nearby services in town. These Paradores will serve as the central base for all field excursions throughout the program.

During the week, breakfast will be catered to the Paradores each morning. For lunch, students will be provided with supplies to pack their own meals, such as sandwiches, fruits, protein bars, juice, and water—ideal for taking along on daily expeditions. Dinners will be enjoyed at local cafeterias in town, giving students the opportunity to experience Puerto Rican cuisine and community life. On resting days, students will be responsible for preparing their own meals using program-provided allowances, with access to the full kitchen in each apartment.

Additional Items to Consider

Students should be prepared to engage in outdoor fieldwork that may involve getting wet, muddy, and navigating through confined spaces. Light to moderate physical activity—such as hiking over uneven terrain—will be required to access some field sites.

Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, U.S. citizens do not need a passport or travel visa to participate in this program.

A valid REAL ID-compliant form of identification is required. The official currency is the U.S. dollar (USD), and U.S. cellphone plans work in Puerto Rico without roaming charges.

Puerto Rico’s official languages are Spanish and English. While English is widely spoken, basic Spanish skills are encouraged to enhance communication and cultural immersion, buy not needed. The program director is Puerto Rican and will help guide students through both the scientific and cultural aspects of the experience.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0.

Open to Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate Students (Biology and Geology majors)

Prerequisities: GEOL 110, GEOL 211, or a 200-level GEOL or BIO course; at least four hours of additional lab science, at least sophomore status, and permission of the instructor.

This course meets Wednesdays, 5:00 – 7:30 PM before Spring Break (trip to Puerto Rico)