Program Overview

Program Overview

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology offers a Semester in the Field Program, which began in Panama as a partnership with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. This program allows students to immerse themselves in field studies, removed from the distractions of campus life, to gain a deeper understanding of the tropics and the impact of humans on biodiversity.

Program Details

The program is designed for juniors interested in the ecology, evolutionary biology, anthropology, and conservation biology of the tropics. It entails students taking four intensive three-week courses in sequence, beginning with an introduction to key concepts in tropical ecology and conservation.

Courses

• Tropical Biology: This course offers an intensive, three-week field experience at various sites in Panama, examining the origins, maintenance, and major interactions among elements of the tropical-terrestrial biota.
• Ecology and Epidemiology of Parasites and Infections Disease: This course explores the dynamics and abundance of parasites in a variety of host species in the Panama Canal zone.
• Biology of Coral Reefs: This course focuses on the ecology and behavior of coral reef organisms and includes extensive daily work in the water.
• Pre-Columbian Peoples of Tropical America and Their Environments: This course allows students to fulfill the Princeton's 'Social Analysis' (SA) distribution requirement and includes a novel reading and exam period.

Research Opportunities

Students interested in learning about or undertaking research in the tropics have exciting options, including:

• The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
• The School for Field Studies (e.g., at the University of Cape Town in South Africa)
• James Cook University in Australia
• Other independent field opportunities sponsored by independent universities and institutions.

Program Location

The program is based in Panama, which offers a diverse range of habitats and is home to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). STRI provides field stations, dormitories, classrooms, and scientists to enrich the program.