Duke Summer in Costa Rica (Tropical Biology)

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose
• North Western Region: 
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui,  La Selva
• Eastern Lowlands: 
Bribri

Term: Summer 
Dates: Please Contact Us for more information

Description: Field Tropical Biology -- Based at OTS Field Stations, this undergraduate course provides access to a broad array of tropical ecosystems, including lowland wet forest at La Selva, dry forest, and wetlands at Palo Verde, and premontane moist forest at Las Cruces.

Biology 134L Field Tropical Biology offers students the exciting opportunity to study first-hand the evolutionary ecology of important plant and animal taxa in tropical ecosystems. Course design emphasizes intensive field work and visits all three OTS field stations as well as other sites. Students are thus introduced to a great diversity of tropical habitats, each possessing distinctive biotas that in turn demonstrate unique evolutionary histories and ecological dynamics. As part of the course, students work closely with resident professors in the design, implementation, and interpretation of their own independent research project in field ecology. Independent projects allow students to learn science by doing science in a beautiful and challenging tropical setting. Results are presented orally following the protocol of a scientific meeting. Students also submit a formal research report which becomes part of the permanent records of OTS field stations.

We visit all 3 OTS Stations. La Selva Biological Station, located in lowland tropical forest on the Atlantic slope, is an internationally renowned research center and home to thousands of species of flora and fauna. Las Cruces Biological Station, located in cool mid-elevation forest on the Pacific slope, houses Costa Rica's premier botanical garden with the richest plant collection of Central America. Palo Verde Biological Station, located in seasonally dry forest of northwest Costa Rica, provides direct access to extensive wetlands with a host of magnificent waterfowl. The program also visits additional sites that vary between summers. If you would like more information on sites to be visited, please contact us.

Field Ethnobiology

Based at Las Cruces Biological Field Station, this undergraduate course visits several indigenous communities and natural ecosystems throughout Costa Rica.

Biology 136L: Plantains, Iguanas and Shamans: An Introduction to Field Ethnobiology
This course offers the exciting opportunity to study the medicinal, ceremonial, esthetic, and subsistence use of plants and animals by humans in Central America. Topics covered include archeology, bioprospecting, linguistic diversity, and medicinal plants. Course design emphasizes intensive field work and visits all three OTS field stations, as well as other sites. Students are thus introduced to a variety of Central American ethnic goups in the context of a tremendous diversity of tropical habitats. As part of the course, students work closely with resident professors in the design, implementation, and interpretation of their own independent research project. Students thus learn ethnobiological techniques by doing ethnobiology in a beautiful, challenging, and culturally diverse tropical setting. Results are presented orally following the protocol of a professional meeting.

Highlights: Top Reasons to Study Abroad with OTS (Costa Rica)

1. You earn Duke University credit.

2. Experiential learning is at the heart of what we do! You will delve into science and produce your own independent research project. Student projects include forest refragmentation, comparison of habitats, population studies, soil and water acidity, seed dispersal, and migration and behavior habits.

3. OTS students come from universities and colleges all over the United States and study alongside Costa Rican students. Through these student interactions, our program provides you with the opportunity to embrace cultures from all over the world.   

4. OTS owns three biological stations; you will visit these and other biological sites offering you the opportunity to compare five distinct eco systems.

5. You will spend considerable time at the OTS La Selva Biological Station; an intellectual hub for researchers. Every 66 hours, a scientific research paper is published with data gathered here.

6. OTS has over 45 years of collected data that can be used to inform independent research projects. You will have enormous potential to have your work published.

7. You will benefit from renowned facilities and technologically smart infrastructure. OTS is installing wireless sensor towers; we are the first program of our kind to have this amazing capacity to pull a variety of information instantaneously and simultaneously!

8. You will have an amazing opportunity to explore Costa Ricas beauty and learn about the culture. You will stay with a host family and interact with indigenous communities.

9. You will have the opportunity to make incredible connections for graduate school and your career. OTS provides a rich network through its consortium which is comprised of 63 universities and research institutions and visiting faculty and scholars from all over the globe.

10. You can partake in white water rafting, zip lining, and enjoy the beach during break periods. You will learn salsa and other Latin dances, Costa Rican cuisine, and about other elements of the culture.

11. OTS has been the premier leader in education, research, and responsible use of resources in the tropics since 1963.

12. OTS offers semester and summer programs.

13. OTS has generous funding available for under-represented students in the sciences.

Our Enrollment Management Team is well positioned to handle your questions and we are passionately interested in assisting you from first inquiry, your arrival and stay, return, and future involvement with OTS. Each of us has a variety of intercultural and higher education experiences which allow us understand and respond to your concerns. We look forward to embarking on this adventure with you!

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 5,100 USD

Experience Required: yes

OTS requires that students have two semesters of college-level biology before participating in this course.

This Program is open to American and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available. funding is available through the Andrew F. Mellon Foundation for qualified, under-represented students in the biological sciences. Other scholarships are available on the basis of financial need. All applicants are asked to fill out a financial aid form, which is used to determine a student's financial contribution to the program.

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Organization for Tropical Studies / Duke University's Mission Statement: OTS was founded to provide leadership in education, research and the responsible use of natural resources in the tropics. The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) is a non-profit consortium that has grown to include 65 universities and research institutions from the United States, Latin America and Australia. In the early 1960's, scientists from U.S. universities forged working relationships with colleagues at the Universidad de Costa Rica in the interest of strengthening education and research in tropical biology. Intense interest both in the U.S. and Costa Rica led to the founding of OTS in 1963. To address this mission, OTS conducts graduate and undergraduate education, facilitates research, participates in tropical forest conservation, maintains three biological stations in Costa Rica and conducts environmental education programs.

Year Founded: 1963