Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments Study Abroad in Madagascar
Educational Organization:
Stony Brook University/Centre ValBio Research Station
Date Posted:
2008-05-21
Program Description:
Since 1995, Stony Brook's Semester in Madagascar has provided students with the opportunity to study the biodiversity and culture of this exotic tropical island. Students spend part of the semester living and studying in the rainforest at Ranomafana National Park, sharing the Centre ValBio research station with scientists conducting cutting edge biodiversity research. Shorter stays in other parts of the country will introduce students to the wide variety of cultures, environments, and biodiversity that is Madagascar.
The Stony Brook Semester in Madagascar provides an unparalleled experience for students wishing to explore parts of the world virtually unknown to most North Americans. Courses are taught in English by Ph.D. research scientists and will prepare students for the final part of the course - an independent research project, designed and executed by each student. Field-based courses prepare students to tackle the tough questions posed by the complexity of tropical ecosystems. Hands-on fieldwork teaches the methods of tropical field biology. Students who complete this program should be well prepared for advanced studies in tropical biology.
Students earn 15 upper-level college credits, in courses encompassing the following four topics:
1) Biodiversity Science Field Methods: Biodiversity of Madagascar and field methods in the study of lemurs, reptiles, mammals, birds, insects, and plants. Skills taught include mist-netting, radio tracking, pit-fall trapping, point-count census, limnological sampling, systematics, and behavioral observation methodology. The course includes information on how to write and research paper and individualized instruction in project design and data analysis. Lectures are given in the morning and field labs in the afternoon. (3 credits)
2) Primate Behavior and Ecology: An overview of the taxonomy of Malagasy primates, and the ecology and behavior of lemurs, field capture methods, and behavioral observation methods. Students have direct experience studying habituated groups of lemurs: sifakas (Propithecus edwardsi) and bamboo lemurs (Hapalemur species) (3 credits)
3) Madagascar Ecosystems: Students compare and contrast rainforests with other ecosystems during excursions to spiny desert, coral reef, and dry gallery forest. Students discuss and evaluate varying threats to and management needs of Malagasy ecosystems. (3 credits).
4) Independent Research: Students will choose, design, execute, and present the results of an independent research project. Instruction in this course will be individualized for each student. Students will be closely supervised and assisted in all parts of their independent research by project staff. Students will be required to write a research paper on their project. (6 credits)
The Stony Brook Semester in Madagascar is organized through Stony Brook University's Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments, whose mission is research, training, and conservation in tropical ecosystems, with a special focus on Madagascar.
Enterance Qualifications:
Students must be from an accredited US college or university to apply for the Stony Brook Study Abroad Semester in Madagascar. The program is open to seniors and juniors who have taken coursework in biology or anthropology and are in good/excellent academic standing. Students should consider their health and physical condition since many of the footpaths in Ranomafana National Park are steep and sometimes muddy and due to the remote location of the field site.
Tuition / Fees:
University and Federal financial aid packages may apply!
Support (scholarships, travel):
Program fee covers all in-country meals, lodging, and transportation.
Start + End Dates:
Annually, from early September to late-November (dependent on flight availability)
Application Deadline:
April 30
Contact Information:
Cornelia Seiffert
Stony Brook University, Dept. of Anthropology, SBS Building, 5th Floor
Stony Brook, NY 11794-4364
USA
Telephone Number:
(631) 632-9440
Fax Number:
(631) 632-7692
Website:
http://http://icte.bio.sunysb.edu/pages/study_abroad_details.htm
E-Mail Address:
cornelia.seiffert@stonybrook.edu
Questions and Comments
Questions about a specific job listing should be directed to the
contact person listed for that job. Questions and comments about using
the Primate-Jobs web site can be directed to Ray Hamel, Special
Collections/Reference Librarian, at
hamel@primate.wisc.edu or (608) 263-3512.
