***PLEASE NOTE***
All biology majors seeking credit for their major from courses completed in study abroad programs through the School for Field Studies (SFS) are strongly encouraged to also meet with Dr. Kevin Smith (kesmith@davidson.edu) in the biology department.

CONNECT WITH SFS

• Visit the SFS website
• Call the Admissions Hotline at (800) 989-4418
• Email admissions@fieldstudies.org
• Read updates from the field on the SFS Blog
• Follow SFS on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Watch student videos on YouTube

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TROPICAL ISLAND BIODIVERSITY STUDIES,
PANAMA

PROGRAM DETAILS

• Terms: Fall, Spring
• Credits: 18 semester-hour credits
• Prerequisites: One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science; 18 years of age
• Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. Early applications encouraged
• Financial Aid: All accepted students can apply for need-based scholarships, grants, and loans

OVERVIEW

The curriculum of the program focuses on defining key island systems, both natural and human, and how they interface. Our research in Bocas del Toro has already revealed patterns and processes at the nexus of biodiversity, conservation, and human welfare that merit ongoing study. Through field observations and research, students identify and understand the pressures, both direct and indirect, on the environment and social systems.

Students gain an understanding of the interdependence of the livelihood strategies of island residents, population structure of key species, and habitat arrangements and conditions. Equipped with foundational knowledge, students then apply sustainability principles to define potential management strategies.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore lowland evergreen rainforests, and experience the diversity of plants and animals, such as insects, birds, monkeys, sloths, plants, and several species of poison dart frogs, including the emblematic strawberry poison dart frog
• Snorkeling to identify species such as sea stars, corals, jellyfish, coral reef fish, stingrays, and sea turtles, as well as to research human impacts on coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and other marine habitats
• Visit indigenous communities and learn about livelihood strategies as well as the challenges of adapting to a rapidly changing economic environment
• Interview and interact with local stakeholders including government agencies, nonprofits, and educational and business leaders to understand the complex implications of management on ecosystems

DIRECTED RESEARCH

Through Directed Research (DR)—as opposed to basic, applied, or independent research—students conduct research on a specific topic that is part of the SFS Center’s long-term strategic research plan, which has been developed in partnership with local community stakeholders and clients.

The course, taught by resident SFS faculty, provides students with the opportunity to apply the scientific process in a mentored field research project that addresses a local environmental issue. Through the DR project, students contribute to a growing body of scientific research that informs local conservation and resource management decisions.

LEARN MORE

REQUEST INFORMATION

APPLY NOW

*PLEASE NOTE*
Davidson College is an affiliate school of the School for Field Studies. This relationship with SFS allows Davidson students to:

• Have priority acceptance to the various SFS semester and summer programs.
• Receive four Davidson biology course credits (BIO 184 and BIO 381-383) as pass/fail for attending a semester program and one Davidson biology course credit (BIO 385) as pass/fail for attending a summer program. Three of the SFS semester courses (BIO 381-383) and the SFS summer course (BIO 385) may count toward a major in Biology. SFS courses do not fulfill the Davidson core requirement for laboratory science. Note that seven of the courses required for the Biology major must be Davidson courses taught by Davidson College faculty. SFS courses do not count towards those seven courses.
• BIO 184 fulfills the cultural diversity credit

Premedical Students Applying To Medical School:
When entering your School for Field Studies courses on the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) document, be certain that you list the courses as Davidson courses with a grade of pass/fail. You should discuss the implications of how this may affect your AMCAS application with the Pre-Medical Director, Dr. Naila M. Mamoon.

**Start and end dates are tentative. Please verify them through the provider.**