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The School for Field Studies (SFS) Panama - Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies (Semester) (Outgoing Program)

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  • Locations: Bocas Del Toro, Panama
  • Program Terms: Fall, Spring
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: The School for Field Studies (SFS) 
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Area of Study: Anthropology, Biology, Earth and Environmental Science, Economics, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, Latin American Studies Experience / Activity Type: Classes, Field Study
Credit type: Apply for transfer credit Class Eligibility: 2.5 Sophomore 2nd semester, Junior, Senior
Housing Option: Dorm/Student Residence Host: External Program: Provider Organization
AACSB accredited: No Global Exchange Lehigh (GEL): No
Click here for a definition of this term Global Engineering Consortium: No
Program Description:

SFS PANAMA: TROPICAL ISLAND BIODIVERSITY STUDIES (SEMESTER)

sfs 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

Spend a semester in the dynamic community of Bocas del Toro, where you will study the complexities of this rich biodiverse region from rainforests to underwater ecosystems to mangrove islands. Study the impacts of tourism and development on the island system’s unique habitats, evaluate local environmental policies, and apply the principles of resource management and conservation to your research project. 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Enjoy the Caribbean Sea as your backyard – work, study, snorkel, and live at our island campus. 
  • Visit the Caribbean Coral Restoration Center to learn the methods used in creating artificial reefs; snorkel nearby artificial reefs and coral nurseries to observe restoration work firsthand. 
  • Sample medicinal plants and hand-ground cacao on visits to various chocolate farms as part of a semester-long exploration of the intricacies of contemporary and Indigenous tourism. 
  • Travel extensively around the islands of Bocas del Toro - above and below the water -encountering mangroves, rainforests, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and agroforestry fincas. 
  • Conduct a comprehensive field research project: Develop a research question, collect and analyze data, write a collaborative paper, and present your findings.
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SFS students live and study at the Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies, once a beachfront hotel that sits among the slender palms and warm sands of Isla Colón lies the Center. You’ll take your classes over the waves of the Caribbean and among the surrounding rainforests and reefs. The laidback tourist hub of Bocas Town is a short taxi ride away, with access to shops, restaurants, and a vibrant culture that is as unique as the mix of people who live here.

RESEARCH THEMES

  • Climate change impacts
  • Marine protected areas
  • Rainforest biodiversity
  • Tourism impacts
  • Ecosystem health
  • Community livelihoods and perceptions
 

CORE SKILLS

  • Species identification
  • Underwater transects and quadrats
  • Tourism impact assessment
  • Scientific writing and communication
  • Basic Spanish language
  • Research design and implementation
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Research presentation
 

LEARN MORE

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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
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