L.BIO 281 - Environmental Issues in Costa Rica-ES

Credits: 3

The Central American country of Costa Rica has been a world leader in conservation of natural resources and, at the same time, provides basic economic needs for its citizens. This country has one of the most extensive land preservation systems in the world and fosters understanding of basic ecological concepts to keep the natural habitat intact for future generations. During this J-term travel field course to Costa Rica, students will visit three different sites each with unique ecosystems: tropical wet forest, tropical dry forest, and high elevation tropical cloud forest. Students will use the scientific method of inquiry to generate questions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct field projects. Basic ecological concepts will be compared between sites. Each student will learn basic flora and fauna at each of the three sites. Environmental issues including rainforest logging, agricultural land use, coffee production, pineapple and house plant production, invasive plant and animal control, climate change, ecotourism, maintenance of biodiversity will be examined through various lenses (environmental, economic and ethical). Students will have opportunities to interact directly with and learn from experts.
Prerequisite: None
Co-requisite: None
General Education Classification: Scientific Inquiry and Innovation-ES