The Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) is launching a new seven-week study abroad experience in Costa Rica that will enable students to complete a 15-credit minor in Tropical Conservation and Sustainable Development in one summer. This minor is available to all students across the university and there are no course prerequisites.
The minor is interdisciplinary, collaborative and taught by Auburn faculty from four colleges, including the CFWE, College of Agriculture, College of Science and Mathematics and the University College of Academic Sustainability. Further, faculty and researchers from the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) will enhance the experience with local knowledge and expertise and support for field classes.
The program is hosted by CATIE, a gated campus near Turrialba, in the striking mountains of Costa Rica. CATIE is an academic center for innovation and sustainable development in topics related to agriculture, management, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. The campus has numerous dormitories and apartments, classrooms, research and computer labs, a cafeteria and a club with a restaurant and swimming pool. CATIE also boasts extensive working lands dedicated to agriculture and conservation for near-campus field classes.
The five-course minor is taught at the 3000 level, and a minimum sophomore-level standing is required by the time of travel. Course topics include protected area management, ecosystem service, climate change, and soil and watershed management. The program will feature two three-week sessions with students enrolled in two classes each session. The classes will be a mixture of classroom lectures and field experiences. Students will also enjoy a nine-day travel course in between sessions, where they will visit a variety of Costa Rica’s famous national parks and protected areas.
Costa Rica is a small, vibrant country in Central America known for its stunning biodiversity, ecotourism and adventure activities. It boasts major life zones, including lush cloud forests, tropical dry forests, mangroves, pristine beaches along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and active volcanos.
The country is also famous for its national parks and conservation efforts protecting a wide variety of ecosystems, plant species and wildlife, including sloths, howler monkeys, jaguars, poison dart frogs and flamboyant birds like the resplendent quetzal, scarlet and green macaw and several species of toucan.
Pending University Curriculum Committee approval, enrollment will begin Dec. 1, 2024, and is available via Auburn’s Office of International Programs. The maximum number of students per session is 25, and early registration is encouraged. Students may contact Wayde Morse, professor and program lead, for more information at wcm0005@auburn.edu.
Quick Facts:
- Seven weeks
- Five courses
- 15-credit-hour minor
- No prerequisites
- Open to all students with sophomore-level standing at the time of travel
- Pending UCC approval, registration will begin Dec. 1, 2024
