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Panama 2010/2011 Travel Course: December 27, 2010- Jan 8, 2011
The UW-Green Bay travel course to Panama will provide an opportunity for students to conduct a variety of exciting field research projects in collaboration with the world famous Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. A generous subsidy from The 1923 Fund of Dr. David Cofrin makes this once-in-lifetime experience available at a very modest cost per student. The number of students will be limited to 7 (plus 3 from St. Norbert College), so acceptance for the travel course will be competitive. Students will be selected based on the relevance of this course to their career goals, previous field experience, and academic record.
Cost per student is $1800, with the balance paid by the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity.
To Apply:
Students interested in applying are required to submit the following information:
To apply for the course,
Materials must be submitted to the Office of International Education by May 14, 2010.
To Apply:
The Cofrin Center for Biodiversity and Office of International Education are excited to announce that UW-Green Bay will again offer an international travel course entitled Research Experience in Panama during the 2010-11 academic year. The 3 credit course will include a 13 day trip from December 27 – January 8 to world-class research facilities of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama, where faculty members Dr. Amy Wolf and Dr. Robert Howe will lead projects focusing on marine invertebrates and tropical rain forest birds. Tentative schedule and syllabus for the course are attached. A companion course from St. Norbert College also will be present at STRI during all or part of the December-January trip.
Applications will be accepted until May 14, 2010; accepted participants will be announced the following week (by May 21, 2010). Cost for enrollment, including air fare, lodging, meals, ground travel, and use of STRI facilities in Panama will be $1,800 per student. Actual expenses are considerably greater (approximately $5,000 per student), but the enrollment fees are reduced thanks to a generous gift to the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity.
The number of participants in the UW-Green Bay course will be limited to approximately 5 students, at least some of whom will be undergraduates. Applicants will be selected competitively according to the following criteria:
- Demonstrated interest and experience in field biology, particularly in marine biology or ornithology.
- Ability to conduct ecological research in physically challenging conditions.
- Unselfish attitude and willingness to work effectively with others.
International travel experience is not required, but students must exhibit maturity and interpersonal skills needed for conducting research in remote places and under potentially unpredictable circumstances.
To apply for the course,
- Complete the attached application form.
- Attach a copy of your college academic transcript(s) (unofficial copies are acceptable).
- Write a short (1-2 page) essay describing your career interests and experience in field biology or scientific research.
- Submit materials (1-3 above) to the UWGB Office of International Education (Cofrin Library 207; oie@uwgb.edu) by May 14, 2010.
Contact Dr. Howe (hower@uwgb.edu) or Dr. Wolf (wolfa@uwgb.edu) for more information.
Language Requirements
Program Design
Students in this course will conduct field research in tropical rainforests, cloud forests and marine environments as part of a unique collaboration between UW-Green Bay and St. Norbert College faculty and scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Under faculty guidance, students will work together to collect and analyze data for long term scientific investigations that may include using a research crane high in the rainforest canopy, bird and amphibian surveys in the rainforest, or studies of mangroves by boat or snorkeling. After returning, students may pursue further opportunities related to the trip, including presentations at scientific meetings or evaluating data for scientific publication. The high degree of faculty supervision will make the course available to students from junior level to graduate students.
Boarding the Ferry to Barro Colorado Island
Living
Panama has a warm, wet, tropical climate. Unlike countries in temperate regions, Panama does not experience highly variable seasons marked by changes in temperature. Instead, Panama 's seasons are divided into wet and dry. The course will take place during the beginning of the dry season, which usually begins around mid to late December. Around this time, strong northeasterly winds known as “trade winds” begin to blow and little or no rain may fall for many weeks in a row. Daytime air temperatures increase slightly to around 30-31ºC (86-88ºF), but nighttime temperatures remain around 22-23ºC (72-73ºF). Relative humidity drops throughout the season, reaching average values as low as 70%. Of course temperatures will be lower at high elevation in the cloud forest at Fortuna.
- Comfortable lodging is included for the duration of the program.
- Most meals are provided.
- The research schedule is busy, but there will also be opportunities to take in the sights and to relax.
- Recommended travel vaccinations are available at the Counseling & Health Center
Biodiversity Topics: Introduction . Plants . Animals . Mammals . Birds . Reptiles & Amphibians . Arthropods . Spiders . Insects
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for Biodiversity and the University of Wisconsin Green Bay,
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Last
updated on
April 19, 2010