ECUADOR May, 2 weeks 1st Semester

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This course will study three of Ecuador's most important ecosystems: rainforests of the Amazon basin; the Chocó forests of northwestern Ecuador; and the high-elevation Paramo of the Andes.
The emphasis of this course is on plants, but we will also coordinate our trips with host-country biologists who have a wealth of knowledge on the natural history of Ecuador's flora and fauna.
Students will gain an understanding of biological and cultural diversity by visiting different areas of Ecuador. Strategies for conserving biodiversity will also be explored throughout the course.

COURSE OFFERINGS
BSC 497 - Tropical Plant Systematics, Credit Hours: 3.
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the most relevant aspects of tropical ecosystems and tropical plants. This course will cover basic ecological concepts to set a common terminology and then describe the main geographic characteristics of rainforests in relationship to the distribution of biological, ecological and cultural diversity. Students will study
the consequences of past and present human impacts over these ecosystems and explore possible conservation strategies.

NOTE: This course is conducted in the rainforests of Ecuador, South America

Prerequisites: [(BSC 114 and BSC 115) or (BSC 118)] and [(BSC 116 and BSC 117) or (BSC 120)] or permission from the instructor.

Students planning to use financial aid to fund their overseas study should contact Vickey Phillips (vickey.phillips@ua.edu, 205-348-8760, 135 B.B. Comer Hall) for a financial aid letter which details the cost of the program and estimates expenses not included in the program. Students should take the letter to Financial Aid and meet with a counselor. If Financial Aid determines an award will be made, they will prepare an Anticipated Aid form for you. Please bring this form to CIAP. Please remember to include your CWID and name of program on the form.

Capstone International has program scholarships available based on need and merit. Click here or visit 135 B.B. Comer for an application.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. John L. Clark - AL in Ecuador Program Director
Department of Biological Sciences
Office: 411 Mary Harmon Bryant Hall
Phone: Telephone: 348-1826
Email: jlc@ua.edu

Ms. Angela Channell, Director of Overseas Study
135 B.B. Comer Hall
Phone: (205) 348-5256
Email: angela.channell@ua.edu