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

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  • Locations: Bocas del Toro, Panama
  • Program Terms: Fall, Semester, Semester I, Semester II, Spring
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: The School for Field Studies (SFS) 
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English Click here for a definition of this term Class Status: 1-first year, 2-sophomore, 3-junior, 4-senior, 5-grad student, 6-other
Housing Options: Dormitory Click here for a definition of this term Areas of Study: Anthropology, Biology, Botany, Caribbean Studies, Earth Science, Ecology, Economics, Environmental Studies, Foresty, Geography, International Studies, Latin American Studies, Marine Science, Sciences, Tourism, Zoology
Program Type: field study, study abroad Minimum GPA: 2.7
Program Description:

SFS PANAMA: TROPICAL ISLAND
BIODIVERSITY STUDIES
(SEMESTER)

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.

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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 to create 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 Bocas del Toro islands, both above and below the water, and encounter 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.


LOCATION

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
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LEARN MORE

REQUEST INFORMATION

APPLY NOW

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CONNECT WITH SFS

• Visit our website: fieldstudies.org

• Email: admissions@fieldstudies.org

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