Description
The Ecuador Tropical Ecology Program offers biology and environmental science majors the opportunity to spend a semester studying the vast and diverse ecosystems of tropical Ecuador through intensive hands-on experiences. The program consists of four ecology courses based on field research in the montane, tropical rainforest, and coastal regions, as well as an intensive Spanish language course.

All science courses are taught in English. Graduate credit may be awarded to full-time graduate students for the ecology courses by conducting additional independent research.

During the first nine weeks of the program students complete three upper-level ecology courses on the various ecosystems of Ecuador, which combine lectures at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito with studies lasting from several days to four weeks in different environments in Ecuador. Students also enroll in a required, 2-credit, intensive Spanish course during the first three weeks of the program. The highlights of the field experience include an eight-day guided scientific excursion to the Galapagos Islands, a two-week coastal project at Los Piqueros (near Machalilla National Park on the Pacific coast), and a four-week stay in the Amazon rainforest at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station.

Cost in US$
Inquire for more information.

Experience Required
yes
* Minimum GPA: 3.0 (in major and overall) * Students must have completed one full year of introductory biology, once course in ecology (BI 303 or BI 306 for BU students; non-BU students should contact International Programs to determine their prerequisites) * One year of college-level Spanish language or the equivalent, with grades of B or better * Students admitted to the program must be able to engage in intensive fieldwork for significant periods of time

Boston University International Programs's Mission Statement
Boston University International Programs is the study abroad division of Boston University. We offer an unmatched variety of academic and internship programs in more than 30 cities on six continents. Every year, students from Boston University and over 150 other colleges and universities nationwide enjoy the opportunity to study language, liberal arts, fine arts, science, business, engineering, or pursue an internship. Our job is to help students realize their dreams to study and intern abroad.