Travel to the Galapagos Islands and mainland Ecuador to experience tropical ecosystems

This course will introduce you to the major ecological processes, the principal flora and fauna and their evolutionary adaptations, and diverse ecosystems that constitute major tropical regions of the world. Additionally, the complex issues surrounding the conservation of biodiversity in these areas will be examined and discussed.

The course is divided into three parts. The first part (Fall) includes on-campus and on-line lectures, discussions, videos, and analysis of peer-reviewed research papers to introduce students to the major ecosystems, conservation issues, and biodiversity in tropical regions. The second part of the course involves travel and study to the Ecuador/Galapagos through guided hikes, lectures, tours, discussions, journal writings, and research projects to understand the ecology and study the biodiversity of the region. We will follow-up with discussions, reflections, and presentations of our experiences together in the spring semester.

Course Title: 3 credits in Biology 486: Tropical Ecology-Galapagos

Course Information: This is a year-long course. Students will take a 2-credit BIOL course in Tropical Ecology in Fall 2021, travel for 11 days during winter break, then take a follow-up 1-credit BIOL course in Spring 2022.

Pre-requisites:  Acceptance to the Galapagos 2022 study abroad program.

Tentative Travel Dates: January 5-15, 2022

Travel Highlights: Quito and the Equatorial Line, Bellavista Cloud Forest, Isabella Island, Floreana Island, Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz Island, Rancho Manzanillo Tortoise Preserve, San Cristobal Island, Antisana Ecological Reserve

Program Leader: Ted Wilson

Estimated Cost: $5,300-5,700 per student**
*Based on an estimate of 12 participants. Fees may change based on final enrollment and/or exchange rate fluctuation.
*Costs include international airfare, accommodations, in-country transportation, cultural activities and excursions, international health insurance, trip/travel insurance, and most meals.
*Cost does not include passport fees, vaccination fees, optional excursions, personal spending money, some meals, or travel to/from Chicago ORD airport.

**Financial aid may be able to be applied. Please contact the Study Abroad Office to learn more about how the program costs are applied.

Housing: Shared triple/quad rooms with students

Apply

The following application materials are due to Brianna Rice, Coordinator of Study Abroad, in Murphy Center 377 by April 30, 2021 in order to have a complete application.

Application Requirements

• Application Form 

• Application Recommendation Form

• $200 Application Deposit (ONLY accepted in check or money order form, payable to Viterbo University.)

• A one-page, single-spaced, typed personal statement addressing the following:

  • What motivates you to seek this particular experience?

  • What do you believe makes you a good fit for this particular program? Consider here not only how the program might influence you, but also how your strengths might enhance the experience for your peers, those you meet along the way, etc.