International Field Biology
Why Take International Field Biology?
This course allows you to learn first-hand about global biodiversity and sustainability. By traveling abroad to visit ecosystems unique to different parts of the world, you gain an appreciation for the diversity of life on this planet and the need for conserving it. You also develop a deeper understanding of how you personally can affect the protection of ecosystems everywhere: at home and worldwide. You will be able to gain new perspectives regarding local and global conservation of natural habitats, taking into account the different facets of sustainability: environmental as well as socio-economic.
Learn more
This course also offers a unique opportunity for you to get out of your comfort zone, so you can learn about things you take for granted that are not necessarily the reality everywhere else, or how others may have found solutions to issues that we are still dealing with here. It exposes you to different cultures and the importance to be respectful of the host country’s customs. In addition, it may help those considering longer international programs by providing an initial short-term exposure to traveling abroad (10-12 days).
This annual spring semester course includes a few meetings on Tuesday evenings during the semester and a field trip abroad, usually during Spring Break. Every year we study ecosystems of a different country, and for this reason students can take this class for credit more than once. Students can take this course for 1, 2, 3 or 4 units; academic requirements will vary accordingly. This course has no pre-requisites. It counts toward the fulfillment of degree requirements for the biology major, the ecology and environmental sciences minor and the sustainability studies minor. Alternatively, it can be taken as an elective course as part of the 124 units needed for any Dominican undergraduate student to graduate. In addition, this class is cross-listed as a graduate course with stronger academic requirements, allowing graduate students to take it for credit as well. Tuition costs for Dominican students are included in the semester tuition provided that the student does not go over the maximum number of units for the semester.
Finally, space permitting, auditors are also allowed to take this course with authorization from the instructor and the Registrar's office. Dominican alumni, as well as some faculty and staff can audit this course free of tuition charges. Other community members may need to pay tuition fees if they would like to audit it. Other charges may apply. For more information on auditing a class please visit this link.
All participants are expected to pay for the costs of the field trip. Field trip cost is variable from year to year.
For more information: please e-mail vania.coelho@dominican.edu .
