Following in the footsteps (and reading selected writings) of Charles Darwin, the renowned 19^th century British naturalist and father of evolutionary ecology, we will travel to several locations in mainland Ecuador, then cruise through the islands of the famed Galapagos archipelago, surveying diverse animals, plants, and other organisms in numerous varied habitats: terrestrial and aquatic, mainland and island, lush and barren, forest and grassland, alpine and riverine, and so on.

 Ecuador is considered the capital of global biodiversity. Follow giant butterflies and stick insects, monkeys and macaws. Swim with sea lions, sea turtles, and marine iguanas. See giant tortoises and countless birds (including red- and blue-footed boobies and beautiful frigate birds, flamingos and penguins, toucans and owls, tiny hummingbirds and immense condors and albatrosses) near such habitats as volcanoes, waterfalls, mangroves, sandy beaches, and dense jungle. You will see many invertebrates and vertebrates, from armies of leaf-cutter ants and poison dart frogs to giant tarantulas, vipers, and perhaps even piranhas and anacondas.

 Prof. Werth holds graduate degrees in organismic and evolutionary biology from Harvard University, has traveled extensively, and has taught for 16 years at H-SC. At virtually all locations we will also travel with one or more trained native guides.

 COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Non-majors welcome with Biology 110/151 (Principles of Biology with laboratory) prerequisite and approval of instructor; another 200-level biology course is recommended. For biology majors, Biology 360 (Evolutionary Theory), to be taught by Prof. Werth in spring 2008, is an ideal lead-in to this May Term experience. Note: SPACE IS LIMITED.

 On-site coursework will involve a variety of laboratory exercises, discussions, mini-lectures, field trips, and activities (much hiking and snorkeling). Grades will be based on writing projects (including final report and field journal with summaries of course-related activities, exercises, and discussions, and cultural and natural observations made during the trip) as well as preparation and participation.

 COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1)      Gain firsthand knowledge of the biodiversity of tropical ecosystems, especially rainforests and oceanic islands.

2)      Learn the principal evolutionary and ecological mechanisms leading to this biodiversity, and the causal relationships between evolution and ecology.

3)      Study the life of Charles Darwin and the impact of his work on modern biological science.

4)      Gain firsthand knowledge of Ecuadorian culture and geography.

ITINERARY:

Following a week of campus classroom instruction, we depart for Quito, where we spend our first night abroad. Then we travel by bus over the Andes Mountains (stopping at various habitats) via Papallacta, spending a night in Baeza before descending into the upper Amazon basin, where we spend a night in Puerto Francisco de Orellana (Coca) before transferring by dugout canoe up the Rio Napo, the largest river in Ecuadorian Amazonia, to Sacha Lodge, a beautiful nature resort on the banks of Lake Pilchicocha within a 5000-acre private ecological reserve, an accessible yet pristine jungle sanctuary (70% primary rainforest). The Jatun Sacha Biological Station promotes rainforest conservation, research, and education. We will spend four days at Sacha, making many short trips to observe varied habitats, and taking advantage of Sacha’s observation tower, butterfly farm, parrot-drawing clay lick, and one-of-a-kind giant rain forest canopy walkway. Then we fly back from Coca to Quito, for a journey north to the highland cloud forest of Mindo, where we will stay in the beautiful Bellavista Lodge, and south through the Avenue of Volcanoes to Cotopaxi, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes. We will take day and night hikes and also explore the native culture of Ecuador.

Then we fly west to the Galapagos Islands (600 miles west, in the equatorial Pacific Ocean) for eight days and seven nights aboard the beautiful, brand new yacht M/Y Galaxy, stopping at numerous islands for land and sea exploration. A nature lover’s paradise, the Galapagos is now a protected National Park with 13 main islands, 17 islets, 47 reefs, and numerous visitor sites (dry and wet landings, and swimming and snorkeling with wildlife). Much of the Island’s flora and fauna exists no place else on earth. We will board the Galaxy at San Cristobal and visit (among other locations) the islands named Santa Fe, Genovesa (Tower), Bartolomé, Santa Cruz, Floreana, and Española, surveying pristine sites (beaches, bays, mangroves, bluffs, cliffs, caves, etc.) as well as the Charles Darwin Research Station.

·      Estimated Costs:   Please see Ms. Cooper for more information. Final cost will be available once class size and airfares are finalized.

·      Costs do not include:  personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls or entertainment; extra airline or transportation fees; additional meals not included in the program, and expenses which are not part of the academic design. 

·       Deadline:  Completed application and $500 non-refundable deposit due by January 25, 2008.

·       Applications will be available at the International Studies Office, Bagby 315

For more information contact Dr. Werth (Gilmer 127) awerth@hsc.edu - 434-223-6236 or Ms. Mary Cooper, Director of International Studies (Bagby 315). mcooper@hsc.edu  -  434-223-6311