Tropical Ecology
Spend your spring break in Costa Rica, guided by Dr. Andrew Dolby and Dr. Abbie Tomba.
This study abroad program is part of BIOL 424, Tropical Ecology, which will meet one evening per week throughout the spring semester. As a part of this course, students will learn about:
- Diversity of tropical ecosystems (both terrestrial and aquatic) and the evolutionary and geophysical forces that have shaped them,
- Relationships of tropical organisms with each other and with their physical environments,
- Anatomical, physiological, and behavioral adaptions specific to tropical environments,
- Specifics of Costa Rica’s natural history and ecological systems
Some of the itinerary highlights include:
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Braulio Carrillo National Park
March 1-9, 2025
Program Fee: $3,532
Registration and $500 non-refundable deposit due: November 1, 2024
Final Balance ($3,032) due: December 15, 2024
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.
This study abroad program is part of BIOL 424, Tropical Ecology, which will meet one evening a week throughout the spring 2025 semester. Students will earn 4 course credits. As a part of this course, students will:
- Diversity of tropical ecosystems (both terrestrial and aquatic) and the evolutionary and geophysical forces that have shaped them,
- Relationships of tropical organisms with each other and with their physical environments,
- Anatomical, physiological, and behavioral adaptions specific to tropical environments,
- Specifics of Costa Rica’s natural history and ecological systems
This course satisfies the Beyond the Classroom general education requirement.
Students will stay in local hotels in Costa Rica. Examples of potential hotels include: Tirimbina Lodge, Hotel Los Lagos, Hotel Montaña.
Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (BIOL 210) is a prerequisite course for Tropical Ecology (BIOL 424). Students must earn a C- or better in BIOL 210 to participate. Students must also maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in order to participate. This program is open to all UMW students who have completed the prerequisite course, regardless of major or year of study.
.
Included in the program fee:
- International airfare
- Accommodations
- Most meals
- In-country transportation per itinerary to include airport transfers
- Group excursions 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 includes moderate hiking through uneven terrain and travel by boat.
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.