ECUADOR
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

THIS PROGRAM IS CLOSED.  NO NEW APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCETPED AT THIS TIME.

May 24 - June 21, 2012 

Total Program Fee: $5,500

Academics and Courses    Application, Cost, and Important Details

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is possible that not all TnCIS programs or all TnCIS courses are available at your institution. A complete listing of courses offered at each member institution is available at www.tncis.org/members. Please contact your TnCIS campus representative for instructions on registering and paying fees.

  

Program Location:

The Galápagos Islands is one of the world's most beautiful and biologically diverse places in the world. The crystalline waters of the Galápagos sustain schools of fish with brilliant colors, playful sea lions and dolphins, and ancient sea turtles. But the beauty of the Galápagos extends beyond the wildlife of the ocean. On land, the fauna of these islands is equally as diverse. Lava lizards, land iguanas, pelicans, flamingos, giant tortoises, swallow-tailed gulls, and blue-footed boobies are just some of the animals that make their home here. It is the biological diversity of the Galápagos that helped inspire Charles Darwin and his theories long ago.
 

Program Description:

This program brings students to one of the world's most biologically-diverse island locations to study topics in genetics and biology. Participating students will be studying at the location where Charles Darwin sailed to in 1831 to do exactly that. During this four week program, students will experience the biodiversity of the Islands. At the same time, students in the genetics course will study basic concepts of genetics, specifically population genetics and evolution leading to speciation. Biology students will be able to observe the flow of energy, chemistry of life, cellular respiration and photosynthesis in the wide diversity of animal and plant species in this area. Simultaneously, the students who study abroad in Ecuador will have the additional opportunity of being immersed in local culture and the Spanish language.

Please note: Prospective students should be aware that study abroad programs require a great deal of walking. You should be prepared to walk at least 2 to 3 miles per day.  You may also walk over uneven, possibly slippery or rocky terrain, even in cities.  There will be significant time spent outdoors during the program.  Students will need to take appropriate precautions with sun exposure and drink plenty of water.

Excursions: There will be multiple excursions in the Port Ayora Island and other Islands of the Galapagos.   Excursions will include visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station, Darwin Island and other locations that will be planned by individual instructors.

Classes: Classes will be held for three hours per day, five days a week.

Accommodations: Students will share rooms with other same-gender students in clean, comfortable hotels. Students will be provided 3 meals daily. Given the structure of the program and the resources available in some locations, the program may not be able to accommodate students with specific dietary preferences. If you have dietary concerns, please contact TnCIS.

Academics:

All TnCIS programs are academic in nature and course work that takes advantage of the program location will be the central focus. TnCIS program courses are for credit only. In Ecuador, students will enroll in ONE of the following courses for 4 credit hours:

BIOLOGY: General Genetics with lab (Prerequisites: BIO 1010 and 1020 or two years of high school biology; and
CHM 1010 and 1020 or consent of instructor.)
Mendelian genetics, chromosomal inheritance, chromosome mapping, linkage, gene and chromosomal mutations, recombination, gene expression, population genetics, and quantitative genetics will be discussed. Students will use classical Mendelian genetics and the theories and methods associated with population genetics principals, learned in this introductory genetics class, to explore and analyze the biodiversity, evolution and the extant speciation of the island through field trips to natural locations and visits to museums of natural history.  Students will receive 4 credit hours for this course and lab.  See course syllabus

BIOLOGY: General Biology I with lab (No prerequisites)
This is the first of a two semester course sequence for biological science majors. The following concepts are included: chemistry of life, cell structure and function, metabolism, cell reproduction, genetics, evolution, the chemical basis of heredity and protein synthesis. Through lectures, demonstration, and laboratory activities, the course will foster an understanding and appreciation of the fundamentals of biology and scientific process. This Galapagos Islands will provide students with a living laboratory, an underwater classroom, and diverse endemic species to study.  Students will receive 4 credit hours for this course and lab.  See course syllabus

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