Wildlife Conservation in Costa Rica
Multi-City, Costa Rica
Program Facts
Program Type: UA Faculty-led
Credit Type: UA Direct Credit
Level of Study: Undergraduate
GPA: 2.5
Class Eligibility: Graduate , Junior , Senior , Sophomore
Language of Instruction: English
Program Open To: UA and Non-UA Students
Coordinator: David Wray
Explore Wildlife Conservation in Costa Rica
Spend an entire semester studying wildlife biology and conservation in one of the most biodiverse places on the planet while immersing yourself in Costa Rica’s ‘pura vida’ culture. During the 12-week program, you will gain hands-on experience with field techniques used to study birds, mammals, reptiles, marine life, invertebrates, and plants through partnerships with local wildlife conservation organizations. Six weeks of the program will be spent living and learning at different biology field stations supporting thriving wildlife conservation projects. The remaining six weeks will be spent in Puerto Jimenez, the main gateway to Corcovado National Park. With the guidance of your faculty lead, you will explore various habitats and communities of the unique Osa Peninsula, described by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on the planet.”
Students will learn through a combination of hands-on experience, classroom instruction, and directed research. They will earn the following credit.
WFSC 444*: Wildlife Conservation and Management (4 credits)
RNR 495F: Conservation Biology: Field Studies in Developing Countries (3 credits)
RNR 492: Directed Research (5 credits)
And a choice of:
RNR 240: Principles of Ecotourism (3 credits online) or RNR 384: Natural Resource Management Practices (3 credits online)
The faculty lead for this program is Dr. Ryan Jones, Assistant Professor of Practice in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment
*Prerequisites can be waived
Six weeks of the program will take place at Biological Field Stations across Costa Rica, most notably in Santa Elena and the Osa Peninsula. Students will will also have the opportunity to experience the local culture while living in Homestays in Puerto Jimenez. The group will take various excursions to San Jose, Dominical, Cañaza, Playa Rio Oro, Rancho Quemado, and Drake Bay. Additionally, students may travel independently on days where no class or experiential learning tasks are scheduled.
Good To Know
LGBTQ+ Equality Index rating: Costa Rica rates 71/100 (with 100 being the most equal) on Equaldex’s LGBTQ+ Equality Index.
Global Peace Index rating: Costa Rica ranks 39/163 in the Global Peace Index. The lower the score, the more peaceful the country.
Languages Spoken: Spanish
Students will be housed in homestays with local families for six weeks and live at more primitive biological field stations for six weeks.
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