Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, NC 28274
704-337-2533
international@queens.edu
E-mail: 
Password: 
Deadlines
Spring: April 1
Academic Year: November 15
Fall: November 15
Program Search
Program Type:
Program Country:
Program Term:
Major:


Ecuador

It’s hot in here: The biological and cultural impacts of biodiversity hotspots

Term To Study: May-Term 2020
Application Deadline: Apr 15, 2019
Program Starts: May 01, 2020
Program Ends: May 30, 2020
Major 1: Science Biological
Subject 1:
Major 2: Science Environmental
Subject 2:
Program Category: One-Country
Program Type: Faculty-led
Program Fee: $0
Program Locations: Coca, Quito
Contact Phone: 704-337-2533
Contact Name: Jeff Thomas
Contact Email: thomasj@queens.edu
What is Included: Round-trip airfare from Charlotte on program arrival/departure dates
Accommodations/lodging
Program itinerary
Most breakfasts and all meals while at the field station
International health insurance
What is not Included: Passport
Lunches & dinners in Quito
Personal expenses
Souvenirs
Estimated Costs: Supplement with JBIP fund: $0
Post-Traditional/Full-pay: $3,400
Deposit: $250
Passport: $145
Meals: $200-250
Program Description

The slope of the Andes in Ecuador is a global biodiversity hotspot, with more species than all of North America. Although in the past decade or so, Ecuador has been at the center of controversial oil drilling which is threatening the diversity of organisms that inhabit these landscapes. In this course, students will consider the ways in which cultural attitudes and government responsibility interact to protect the environment. While in Ecuador, students will have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience collecting data in the rainforest while interacting and talking to locals about their perspectives on the environment. Economic factors will be discussed and how local, national and global approaches to biodiversity, tourism and the use of resources are similar/dissimilar to that of the U.S.A.

The first few days in Ecuador will be spent in the capital, Quito. Students will partake in a walking tour of Quito where popular sites include Independence Square, with the Presidential Palace and Cathedral. Students will also shop at the local markets of Otavalo. From Quito, the group will travel several hours to the Wildsumaco Biological Field Station, where students will spend about one week immersed in a real rainforest research station. The group will be surrounded by jungle habitats, eat food cooked by locals at the field station, and have the opportunity to practice data collection and ethnobotany. Time at the field station will be spent hiking through the rainforest and collecting data for research projects, under the guidance of the faculty leaders and others the field station. Students will present their research at the end of the program.

Students should be aware that the field station is remote and they may have limited access to showers, air conditioning and the conveniences of cities such as cell phone service, internet, and shopping. Due to the physical nature of the activities at WBS, students must be in good health and sound physical condition, capable of hiking in a rugged environment.*

This course is most appropriate for students interested in biology, the environment, sustainability, and those who enjoy being in a natural environment.

The academic course associated with this program is BIO 398 and 399: It’s hot in here: The biological and cultural impacts of biodiversity hotspots. for 4 total credits. It will be taught by Professors Patricia Koplas and Jeffrey Thomas.

SPRING course/MAY travel

This is an OPEN program.
*all itinerary items are tentative and subject to change

Quick Facts

Population: 15223680
Capital: Quito
Per-capita GDP: $ 8600
Size: 283561 km2
Time Zone: (GMT - 05:00 hours) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

US State Department

Travel Warning: YES
See :
Country Specific Info.


Queens University of Charlotte Myrta Pulliam Center for International Education