- Various, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse wild lands left on the planet. All of this biodiversity depends upon preservation practices in the face of economic growth, energy demands, and land development. Costa Rica is unique in both its biome diversity and exemplary in the amount of land set aside to safeguard this diversity, as more than 25% of the country is protected in parks and reserves. Revenues from ecotourism help sustain these areas; however, there are questions about how effective this model is for an emerging economy and society. In this course we examine the ecological, social and economic pressures affecting land use and consider a variety of perspectives. Our experiences in Costa Rica will range from field studies in a remote Pacific rain forest, to mountain cloud forests, to the lowlands on both dry and wet sides of the central mountain ranges.
Sponsored by College of Liberal Arts
Course(s)
-
T C 358
/
BIO 337
- Costa Rica: Land Use Issues in Rainforest Conservation
and
L A 119 - International Learning Seminar
Academic Information
Students earn 3 hours of in-residence credit upon successful completion. Maymester Abroad courses are part of UT spring registration, they occur immediately following the spring semester. Course must be taken for a grade and factored into the official UT GPA. This course carries the Global Cultures flag.
Faculty
Courses taught by Dr. Ruth Buskirk and Debra Hansen of the UT School of Biological Sciences. Dr. Buskirk teaches Plan II Biology, Intro Biology, and Honors Genetics, and has extensive teaching and research experience in Costa Rica. Dr. Hansen is an evolutionary botanist.
Language(s) of Instruction
English
Eligibility
- Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance
- Minimum 2.5 GPA. Good academic standing.
- Completion of BIO 301E, BIO 311D, or 325H, prior to May 2023.
- UT enrollment during the spring semester preceding the program.
Service Learning/Internship
- Service Learning - No
- Internship - No
Housing
Students stay in field station dormitories or in hostels while on the program.
Open To
Students from all colleges and schools
Program Cost
2023 program fee TBD; 2019 Program Fee: $4,625. Includes $500 non-refundable deposit, program activities, housing, most meals, and local transportation. Airfare not included.
Dates:
- Program: May 4, 2023 to May 30, 2023
- Instructional: May 4, 2023 to May 30, 2023
- Final Deadline: November 1, 2022
Application Code
355047
Program Coordinator
Alex Schnurpel
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Next Step
Learn how to apply at the Texas Global website!