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The School for Field Studies (SFS) Panama - Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies (Semester) (Outgoing Program)

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  • Locations: Bocoas del Toro, Panama
  • Program Terms: Fall, Spring
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: The School for Field Studies (SFS) 
Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Spring 2024 12/31/2024 ** Rolling Admission 01/30/2024 05/10/2024

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Program Cost: Unavailable Except By Petition Area of Study: Anthropology & Sociology, Biology, Economics, Environmental Studies & Sciences, International Studies, Latin American Studies
Language of Instruction: English Type of Program: Academic Study
Minimum GPA: 2.7 Housing Type: Residence Hall
Program Description:

SFS PANAMA: TROPICAL ISLAND BIODIVERSITY STUDIES (SEMESTER)

sfs panama


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.
  •  
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
 

LEARN MORE

REQUEST INFORMATION

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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
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Watch student videos on YouTube and Vimeo
 


Petitionable programs are available to students in the event that any of our 200+ affiliated partner programs do not seem sufficient for your academic needs. Fewer than 10% of petitions are granted. The decision is based on a number of factors that include, but are not limited to: the quality of the petition, the rationale of why an affiliated program can not fit your needs, and why the petitionable program is an exceptional fit for your academic studies. Due to the low probability of receiving a petition, we recommend applying for an affiliated program backup in the event that your petition is denied.