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Field Programs

Biology Field Programs

BIOL 372-SAF

Ecology of the Tropics - Field Course in Peru
This field course is part of the Office of International and Summer Programs (OISP) and will be taught during Spring Break week in the Amazon River lowland rainforests of southern Peru (Tambopata Research Station), famous for its huge flocks of colorful Macaws. This field course will give the student a real hands-on rainforest experience complete with bromeliads, toucans, sloths, and the sounds of the night. The cost for the trip is approximately $3000 (depending on airfare prices). Prerequisites: Biology 142 and Biology 142L; pre- or corequisite: Biology 371 orENVS 371. Permission of instructor is also required. This course is taught by Dr. Larry Wilson (adjunct faculty), is SHARED by the Biology and Environmental Science Departments, and may be taken as elective and upper-level laboratory credit for the biology major. See the Biology Department Spring Course Atlas for additional information.  (2 credit hours)

BIOL 329

Coastal Biology

This is a lecture course emphasizing the basic principles of coastal ecology, the human impact on coastal ecosystems, and the diversity of invertebrates living in these ecosystems. Students will also attend a mandatory laboratory/field trip to St. Simon’s Island during Spring Break. A laboratory fee will be required for the laboratory/field portion of this course. See the Course Atlas for additional information. Prerequisites: Biology 142 and Biology 142L and permission of instructor. This course will fulfill the Column C (or elective) and upper-level laboratory requirements for the biology major.  (4 credit hours)

BIOL 375

Tropical Marine Ecosystems
This course will explore coastal and near-shore tropical marine ecosystems including mangroves and coral reefs. Readings will review key concepts of marine ecology with a focus on local ecosystems. Field excursions to local sites will provide opportunities to learn from researchers and managers. Prerequisites: Biology 142 and Biology 142L or ENVS 131. This course ORIGINATES in the ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT and may be taken as elective credit for the biology major.  (4 credit hours)
Program Video

BIOL 380

Herpetology, with Lab
This lecture/field course is designed to give the student a broad view of these two classes of vertebrates (Amphibia and Reptilia). Class topics will include taxonomy, conservation, life histories, special senses and pheromones, biogeography, reproductive strategies, physiology, and behavior. Prerequisite: Biology 142. This course is taught by Dr. Larry Wilson (adjunct faculty), is SHARED by the Biology and Environmental Science Departments, and may be taken as elective and upper-level laboratory credit for the biology major. (4 credit hours)

Field Program Scholarships

Each year, the Department of Biology offers need-based scholarships for undergraduate biology majors. Scholarships are need-based; students must be currently receiving financial aid.  The Department of Biology does not provide full course funding; we will provide approved students with matching funds to cover the full course registration costs.  Scholarship requests must be approved prior to course registration.  The Biology Department will provide each awardee with a maximum of $2,500 for Biology Field coursework over the student’s undergraduate academic career.

  1. Declare Biology as your major

    • Students must declare Biology as their major
    • The student must currently be receiving financial aid.

  2. Submit Scholarship Request Form

  3. Approval/Registration

    • Students may register for the course after receiving scholarship approval notification.

Program Forms

Field Course Scholarship Request Form
“I would like to say thank you to the generous donors for making my coastal biology research trip with Dr. Civitello possible! Dr. Civitello's course was one of the most engaging, intellectually stimulating, and collaborative classes that I have experienced in my four years at Emory.  I'll cherish these memories and hope that this experience continues to be offered to biology students!”
--Eric Zeng (2020 Coastal Biology participant)
darya-farrokhi.jpg
“The trip was amazing! The group on the trip was very kind, sociable, and truly excited to be in the class/in the Amazon, we quickly became very tight. Our guide Roldan and Dr. Wilson worked together to make this the smoothest Emory travel course/field trip I have been on at my time at Emory. On top of that, they were both so knowledgeable about the ecology of the area. I learned so much about the interactions of plants, animals, and the environment on the trip."
Darya received funds for this trip and created this painting of a Pygmy Kingfisher.
--Darya Farrokhi (2020 Ecology of the Tropics participant)