SFS PANAMA: TROPICAL ISLAND BIODIVERSITY STUDIES (SEMESTER)
PROGRAM DETAILS
- Terms: Fall, Spring
- Credits: 18 semester-hour credits
- Prerequisites: One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science; 18 years of age
- Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. Early applications encouraged
- Financial Aid: All accepted students can apply for need-based scholarships, grants, and loans
OVERVIEW
Spend a semester in the dynamic community of Bocas del Toro, where you will study the complexities of this rich biodiverse region from rainforests to underwater ecosystems to mangrove islands. Study the impacts of tourism and development on the island system’s unique habitats, evaluate local environmental policies, and apply the principles of resource management and conservation to your research project.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
- Enjoy the Caribbean Sea as your backyard – work, study, snorkel, and live at our island campus.
- Visit the Caribbean Coral Restoration Center to learn the methods used in creating artificial reefs; snorkel nearby artificial reefs and coral nurseries to observe restoration work firsthand.
- Sample medicinal plants and hand-ground cacao on visits to various chocolate farms as part of a semester-long exploration of the intricacies of contemporary and Indigenous tourism.
- Travel extensively around the islands of Bocas del Toro - above and below the water -encountering mangroves, rainforests, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and agroforestry fincas.
- Conduct a comprehensive field research project: Develop a research question, collect and analyze data, write a collaborative paper, and present your findings.
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SFS students live and study at the Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies, once a beachfront hotel that sits among the slender palms and warm sands of Isla Colón lies the Center. You’ll take your classes over the waves of the Caribbean and among the surrounding rainforests and reefs. The laidback tourist hub of Bocas Town is a short taxi ride away, with access to shops, restaurants, and a vibrant culture that is as unique as the mix of people who live here.
RESEARCH THEMES
- Climate change impacts
- Marine protected areas
- Rainforest biodiversity
- Tourism impacts
- Ecosystem health
- Community livelihoods and perceptions
CORE SKILLS
- Species identification
- Underwater transects and quadrats
- Tourism impact assessment
- Scientific writing and communication
- Basic Spanish language
- Research design and implementation
- Data collection and analysis
- Research presentation
CONNECT WITH SFS
Visit the
SFS website
Call the Admissions Hotline at 800.989.4418
Email
admissions@fieldstudies.org
Read updates from the field on the
SFS Blog
Follow SFS on
Instagram and
Facebook
Watch student videos on
YouTube and
Vimeo
As an OSU student, you will receive an automatic $2,000 scholarship from SFS upon acceptance into this program. This scholarship will be in addition to other need-based aid opportunities also offered by SFS. 
