Puerto Maldonado & Cusco, Peru

 

Dates:         July 30 - August 16, 2009

 

Professors: Dr. Tiffany Doan, Professor, Biology

                    doantim@ccsu.edu or (860) 832-2676

 

                    Dr. Richard Benfield, Professor, Geography                   

                    benfieldr@ccsu.edu or (860) 832-2879

                     

Courses:      Biology 170: Introductory Field Studies in Biology, 3 credits

                    Biology 470: Field Studies in Biology: Peru, 3 credits

                    Biology 571: Advanced Field Studies in Biology, 3 credits

                    Geography 459:  Field Studies in Regional Geography, 3 credits

                    Geography 559:  Advanced Field Studies in Regional Geography, 3 credits

                    International Studies 490: Field Studies Abroad, 3 credits

                    International Studies 590: Graduate Field Studies Abroad, 3 credits

 

Prereq:        Permission of Instructor

 

Travel Program Registration Deadline:      April 24, 2009

Scholarship Application Deadline:              April 24, 2009

 

Scholarships:   Students participating in any course abroad program may apply to the Center

                         for International Education for scholarship assistance.  Matriculated status at

                         CCSU and a minimum GPA of 2.50 are required and scholarships will not

                         normally exceed $500.

 

Travel Cost:     The cost of the program, exclusive of tuition and registration fees, is $2,295.00 per

                         person.  The cost includes round-trip economy class airfare, double or triple

                         occupancy accommodations, most meals, airport transfers in the U.S. and abroad,

                         and taxes.

 

Note:  Students must separately register and pay for the academic course(s) associated with

           this Course Abroad Program.  All Summer course registration is handled 

           by the Enrollment Center in Willard Hall.

 

 

Tropical Geography and Ecology in Peru

This course is a chance for students to gain an in-depth, hands-on experience in conducting biological research in the Peruvian rainforest.  In association with the Natural History Museum of Cusco, Peru and the nonprofit organization Oicos Habitare, the program was developed for introductory students and biology majors and other students who have a background in biology and wish to increase their knowledge of field biology and ecology.    The aim of the program is for students to learn about, practice, and conduct original biological research in one of the most species diverse areas of the world.  Participants will learn the ecology of plants, mammals, insects, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. 

On a typical day, students will begin with lectures and discussions about rainforest organisms, ecology, and methodology.  Students will then practice the methods in the field and conduct small group projects.  As a final project, students will design an original research project, conduct observations and experimentation, analyze the data, and present their findings to the class in written and oral form.  The program will take place at a research station near the town of Puerto Maldonado, southeastern Peru.  This world-renown region has recorded the highest species diversity in the world for beetles, butterflies, dragonflies, birds, and reptiles and amphibians.  The program is intended for those who enjoy hiking and being outdoors every day.  Accommodations will be rustic and participants should be prepared for rainy and muddy conditions while visiting this pristine rainforest. 

The final four days of the program will be spent traveling to the city of Cusco, in the Peruvian Andes, the former capital of the Incan Empire.  We will tour the Incan/Spanish city and visit the ruins of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incans. 

A pre-trip orientation will be held on the CCSU campus during the last week of classes of the spring semester (May 2009).