Program Overview
The program combines field analyses of tropical biodiversity with discussions of the most controversial issues in conservation biology, using the Costa Rican national park system as a model for tropical conservation. You'll study the ecological and evolutionary causes of the extraordinarily high levels of biodiversity in Costa Rica, the ways in which such diversity benefits humans, and the history and politics of conservation, preservation, and restoration projects in Costa Rica.
Traditional lecture and discussion format is supplemented with many hikes (some of which are physically demanding!) and hands-on projects in places such as the tropical dry forests and coastal mangroves of Guanacaste National Park, the montane cloud forests of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Pacific rainforests of Corcovado National Park, and the Caribbean rainforests of the La Selva Biological Research Station. (The itinerary varies from year to year but includes most of Costa Rica’s representative ecosystems.)
You'll live and eat at the research facilities used by some of the world's leading tropical biologists and should see an unimaginable diversity of insects and birds; squirrel, howler, spider, and white-faced capuchin monkeys; and numerous endangered species, including American crocodiles, tapirs, and quetzals. You will snorkel over the Pacific reefs of Cano Island Biological Reserve, and you may witness sea turtles laying their eggs on the beach and/or hatching baby turtles scurrying to the ocean.
With the exception of food purchased in the airport, the program fee includes all meals. Courses Honors credit may be available. Check with the faculty director and the Honors program for prior approval (before departure).
Requirements
Applicants should have a G.P.A. of at least 2.0 (on a 4.00 scale).
Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance, which is based on academic quality and demonstrated ability to contribute to the objectives of the program. Early application is encouraged as acceptances may be made on a rolling basis and the program may fill before the application deadline.
For all participants, a formal application is necessary, including a deposit, one transcript (non-University of Delaware students only), and one recommendation. An interview may be conducted in person or by telephone.
Study abroad at the University of Delaware is highly competitive. See here for an overview of the acceptance process. If you are not selected for your first choice program, we recommend moving your application and deposit to another program (by emailing your request to studyabroad@udel.edu).
UD students pay all program fee deposits by direct bank transfer via this website: http://www.udel.edu/studyabroadpayments. Non-UD students should send a check, payable to the University of Delaware, to CFIS, Elliott Hall, 26 East Main Street, Newark, DE 19716. Credit card payments are not accepted.
