Tropical Ecology Program in Costa Rica

Professor Chris Picone takes you on an unforgettable adventure in Costa Rica.
Monkey in tree in Costa Rica

BIOL 2006: Tropical Ecology

CRN 63588

3 credits

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This course will survey the ecology of terrestrial ecosystems in Costa Rica, including rainforest, cloud forest, dry forest, and agricultural systems. Recurring themes will be similarities and connections between native ecosystems and agricultural systems. Students will take the course that will meet weekly throughout the spring semester. 

Students will take the course that will meet weekly throughout the spring semester (Mondays 2 - 3:15 p.m.), and then travel in May for ten full days in Costa Rica.

Estimated Price: $3,450

PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Pending financial aid does not cover study abroad payments. Please call Student Accounts for more details at 978.665.4126.

Students will hear back about the Global Ambassador Scholarship in the first week of November.

View this presentation to learn more about the program

Sample Itinerary

May 19 Flight arrival at Juan Santa María Airport - mid-afternoon (MVI coordinator meets group at airport exit), Airport transfer and Hotel Aranjuez check-in
Dinner at restaurant, program and country orientation, health and safety orientation
May 20 Morning breakfast at hotel
Drive to Bijagual Ecological Reserve
Stop along the way to buy rubber boots and raincoats (approx. 3.5 hrs. + time to stop)
Orientation to field station
Students explore local trails in groups or with professor
Dinner at station
Lodging Bijagual Ecological Reserve
May 21 Early morning breakfast at station
Natural history hike - with tour guide(s) 
Afternoon depart for Pocosol (2 hrs. 10 min drive)
Tour of a large-scale, industrial farm
Arrive at Pocosol field station
Orientation to Pocosol with MVI Coordinator and Professor
May 22 Early morning natural history hike - with local guide (First half of the class)
Breakfast and lunch at station
Afternoon service learning at the station (Second half of the class)
Dinner at station
Night tour hike (2 small groups, one after the other)
May 23 Early morning natural history hike - with local guide (Second half of the class)
Breakfast and lunch at station
Afternoon service learning at the station (First half of the class)
Dinner at station
May 24

Morning breakfast at Lodge
Travel to Monteverde (approx. 3.5 hrs.)
Afternoon presentation/discussion: The Monteverde Institute and Sustainability Issues
Informational tour of the Monteverde Institute, including sustainable initiatives and systems
Free time in Santa Elena downtown
Dinner on your own
Lodging Hotel El Atardecer

May 25 Breakfast at hotel
Natural history hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve on Wilford Guindon trail to go by the hanging bridge. Hummingbird gallery visit.
Presentation and Discussion: Land Use Change in Monteverde 
Free time in Monteverde – Monteverde Coffee Center, CASEM artisans cooperative, bakeries, Caburé
chocolatier, Bat Jungle and cheese factory
Pizza dinner at MVI
Bat mist-netting after dinner (With Vino De Backer, bat biologist) at Crandell Reserve
May 26 Breakfast at hotel
Morning visit LIFE Monteverde coffee farm 
Discussion time with Guillermo about reforestation and community development
Afternoon service-learning projects at Finca LIFE (e.g., make compost tea)
Free time in Monteverde 
Dinner on your own
May 27 Breakfast at hotel
Morning presentation: Ocotea Monteverdensis: The story of the conservation of a critically endangered species in Costa Rica (with MVI reforestation program coordinator- Daniela Quesada)
Reforestation service work (could include nursery work, collecting data for long-term research, and possibly planting depending on rains) 
Afternoon tour El Cafetal to learn all about coffee production 
May 28 Morning breakfast at hotel
Transfer to Carara National Park, transition zone into the tropical dry forests of the northwest
Afternoon boat tour of Tárcoles river estuary: avian and mangrove ecology and crocodiles (with local guide)
Evening dinner at Villas Lapas
Lodging Villas Lapas Hotel 
May 29 Morning Breakfast at hotel
Spend time at Playa Blanca (optional snorkeling, kayak or swim)
Debrief with MVI Staff (virtual session after the program)
Evening farewell dinner at hotel
May 30 Early morning breakfast at hotel or snack to go
Transfer to airport for departure flight (approx. 3 hrs. drive)

Questions? Get in Touch!