Ecology and Evolution
Join Dr. Andrew Dolby and Brad Lamphere for Spring Break among the fascinating flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. Learn why this unique archipelago remains one of the world’s foremost living biological laboratories and models of conservation biology. Students will study the evolutionary concepts that lead to the unique ecology found on isolated island environments while examining the social and environmental sustainability issues involved in the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. This trip requires strenuous levels of activity, including hiking and snorkeling.
Program Full for Spring Break 2026
Spring Break 2026
February 28 – March 8, 2026
Program Fee: $4,109
Registration and $500 non-refundable deposit due: November 1, 2025
Final Balance ($3,609) due: December 15, 2025
Use the Make a Standard Payment button below to pay your deposit and regular program balance payment. Use the Make a Flexible Payment option to pay an alternate amount (such as additional insurance or payment in a different amount as a result of a scholarship award).
Online payees have the choice of either credit card or eCheck (ACH) payment. ACH transactions will be charged a flat fee of $0.50 per transaction. All credit card payments will incur a 2.95% service fee. For credit card payments, a minimum convenience fee of $3.00 will be applied to transactions over $20.00 and under $102.00.
Students can avoid fees by paying in-person at the UMW Cashier’s office by cash or check (made out to “UMW”). The Cashier’s office is located on the 2nd floor of Lee Hall.
In addition to the program travel during Spring Break, students will enroll in the Spring 2026 course BIOL 423: Ecology and Evolution in the Galapagos for 4 credits.
These courses satisfies the Beyond the Classroom OR Diverse and Global Perspectives general education requirement by contract with the Faculty Director only.
Students will be housed at local hotels and hostels.
Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (BIOL 210) is a prerequisite for this course. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in order to participate. This program is open to all UMW students regardless of major or year of study; priority will be given to seniors and juniors. The program is also open to non-UMW students but enrollment in BIOL 423 for the Spring 2026 semester is required.
Included in the program fee:
- International airfare
- Accommodations
- Some meals
- In-country transportation per itinerary to include airport transfers
- Group excursions and entrance fees per itinerary
- UMW Education Abroad Fee
- International medical insurance
Excluded in the program fee:
- UMW Tuition (may be included into your spring term course load)
- Passport and/or visa fees
- Souvenirs and other personal expenses
- Personal health costs (ex. vaccination fees, COVID-19 testing, etc.)
- Supplemental meals and snacks
This program requires a strenuous level of activity, including significant walking and hiking on uneven terrain and deep-water snorkeling in the open ocean.
International travel may require immunizations or preventative medicines. Please refer to the US Center for Disease Control’s Traveler’s Health Information Page for recommendations. The UMW Health Center provides free travel consultations by appointment, as well as travel information for UMW students. The Center for International Education recommends that each student have a personalized medical consultation prior to international travel.
Visit CIE’s Scholarships & Funding webpage to learn more about financial options as it relates to education abroad including Financial Aid, 529 Plans, etc.