BIOSC

Biological Sciences

Ecology of the Napo Valley

BIOSC
0825

Special topics, 1-credit,  This spring break program is designed to provide an introduction to tropical rainforests, ecology and Ecuadorian culture.  You will spend a week in the heart of the Ecuadorian rainforest at the Andes and Amazon Field School.  The course utilizes the environment and community surrounding the site to enhance the your  learning experience.  The course will be field based with supporting discussions.  There will be two common readers from which discussions will be based.

 

 

 

Special Topics in Biology: Himalayan Biodiversity

BIOSC
0825

Ranging in altitude from several hundred meters above sea level to over seven thousand, from subtropical forests to high altitude meadows and deserts, and from areas with little or no rainfall to regions that are among the wettest in the world, the Himalayas define a geographical region of enormous geological variation and biodiversity.  The goal of this course is to gain an understanding of this diversity, with a focus on ethology, the study of animal behavior and the interaction of animal species. 

Tropical Forest Ecology

BIOSC
1220

This course provides a solid foundation in tropical forest ecology. It is designed to prepare students to carry out research on the interaction of plant and animal communities and to engage the serious challenges facing Neotropical forests. Students will learn to compare pristine to altered forests identifying key factors in forest decline and regeneration. Students will examine each of the diverse elevational zones that comprise the Amazonian watershed. The highlight will be a visit to Ecuador’s Yasuni National Park, an untouched area of the Amazon with the highest bio-diversity on Earth.