Neotropical Marine Biology (BIO 305: 4 Credits) is a field-intensive course designed around the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama as a significant geological event that shaped the evolution of countless groups of organisms. Students will be exposed to the tremendous biodiversity harbored in Panamanian waters while studying the evolutionary processes that have shaped Panamanian environments over the past three million years. The course will offer hands-on opportunities to study important concepts of biology in a tropical setting, and will provide meaningful contrast to the environments of the North Atlantic. Sites at which the course will be held include well-equipped laboratories that offer excellent access to the field, as well as excellent support resources such as microscopes, computing facilities, and small boats and remote, local communities proximal to pristine field sites. Students will travel to well known historic sites, such as the Panama Canal in Panama City, as well as less well known sites of scientific interest. Along the way they will experience, first hand, the culture of urban and rural Panama and become exposed to a slice of biodiversity unmatched in New England.
COURSE GOALS-
Neotropical Marine Biology has three underlying goals: (1) To investigate fundamental processes of evolution in a geographic location in which the results of evolution are readily observed and easily recognized by the remarkable differences in environments and organisms between Pacific and Caribbean Panama; (2) To expose students to the diversity of tropical marine and terrestrial environments and their constituent organisms; (3) To understand the capacity for human alteration of natural habitats by observation of the Panama Canal, a monument not only to mankind’s engineering ingenuity, but to his often careless regard for the environmental impacts of human mediated transport of living organisms.
Open to All Majors
Prerequisites:
- Junior Status and/or Permission of Instructor
- At least one Biology course completed at RWU
- Good academic and judicial standing
*A required swim test will be administered in the university pool (a continuous 200 meter swim, and a 10-minute water tread)
Application Deadline: October 1st
BIO 305: Neotropical Marine Biology - (4 credits)
Neotropical Marine Biology is a field-intensive course focused on the emergence of the Central American Isthmus as a significant geological event that shaped the evolution of tropical marine organisms. Students will study the tremendous biodiversity harbored in Panamanian waters while studying the evolutionary processes that have shaped Panamanian environments over the past three million years. The course offers hands-on opportunities to study core concepts of biology in a tropical setting.
This course fulfills:
- a course requirement in the Biology and Marine Biology Core Concentration
- a 4-credit course in the “Evolution & Ecology” category for the BA/BS Biology program.
- a “Supplemental Elective” for the BA/BS Marine Biology program.
Student accommodations will consist of traditional hotels while in Panama City, minimalist hotels without A/C at Caribbean sites, and dorm style buildings while visiting Pacific sites.
Abroad- January 11 - January 21th, 2024
Financial Details
Program Fee: $4,555
Includes-
- Room and Board
- In-country transportation
- Course activities
*International Airfare is not included
*Personal expenses are not included in the program fee. Students should consult with the Spiegel Center for more budgeting information
Non-refundable $500 deposit is due upon acceptance to the program
Financial Aid and Scholarships
RWU students applying to RWU-sponsored short term study abroad programs are not eligible for financial aid, however, they may apply to one or both of the scholarships listed below. Students apply for the scholarship(s) at the same time they submit their application for a short-term program abroad. In order to be considered for the Global Engagement Scholarship, they must submit their application by stated program application deadline.
The Bridging the World Scholarship:
Scholarship awards based on academic merit only
Scholarships awards based on financial need and academic merit
The Global Engagement Scholarship:
Scholarship awards based on financial need only (limited funds available)
FACULTY LEADERS:
Professor Brian Wysor, Professor of Biology
Office: Marine and Natural Sciences Building
Email: bwysor@rwu.edu
Professor David Taylor, Professor of Biology
Office: Marine and Natural Sciences Building
Email: dtaylor@rwu.edu
Health & Safety Abroad
Students should review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for complete information regarding the health concerns and vaccine recommendations specific to Panama. Students should also review the U.S. State Department’s consular information website for complete information on safety and security.
All information subject to change - Roger Williams University reserves the right to cancel any faculty-led program offered during the academic year for insufficient enrollment or for any other reason. These reasons may include safety and security concerns at the program location. Should it prove necessary to do so, the School will promptly notify all registrants.
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