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Overview MCDB Program EE Program MD/PhD Program |
Course descriptions were provided by OTS and have been reformatted for this web site. OTS-1 Tropical Biology: An Ecological Approach (winter)
This, the so-called Fundamentals course, is intended for graduate students in the biological sciences. It is an intensive field course that emphasizes theory and methods of tropical ecology, with a particular focus emphasis on natural ecosystems. Six or more contrasting sites throughout Costa Rica are visited, ranging from sea level to the paramo and from wet tropical rain forest to seasonally dry deciduous forest. Offered continuously since 1964, this is the oldest and best known of OTS courses. OTS-2 Ecología Tropical y Conservación
This course emphasizes the theory and methods of tropical ecology, with particular attention given to the development of quantitative skills useful in the analysis of field data. Intended for students and faculty from Latin American institutions who have completed at least the bachelor's degree in biology or related disciplines. OTS-3 Tropical Biology: An Ecological Approach ( summer )
This, the so-called Fundamentals course, is intended for graduate students in the biological sciences. It is an intensive field course that emphasizes theory and methods of tropical ecology, with a particular focus emphasis on natural ecosystems. Six or more contrasting sites throughout Costa Rica are visited, ranging from sea level to the paramo and from wet tropical rain forest to seasonally dry deciduous forest. Offered continuously since 1964, this is the oldest and best known of OTS courses.
Agroecología seeks to examine agricultural systems from an ecological perspective. This intensive course strives to provide practical methodology for testing various hypotheses related to sustainable agricultural efforts, and requires an independent study project from each participant. Intended primarily for Latin American students and professionals in agronomy, forestry, biology, and related fields. U.S. students with an interest in Latin American Careers and with a appropriate language skills are also welcome to apply. Fellowships are available. OTS-9 Tropical Plant Systematics
This relatively new course emphasizes a strong theoretical/conceptual foundation in phylogenetic systematics while at the same time taking advantage of the unique field opportunities and spectacular examples of bio diversity. Las Cruces Biological Station is the course's home base. On-site access is provided here to the eight hectare Wilson Botanical Garden and the 160-hectare forest reserve. Within easy reach are extensive mid-elevation fragments of premontane rain forest, the vast La Amistad National Park that extends to the high paramos, and the Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula with its tidal and mangrove swamps and "Amazonian" lowland rain forest. This course was designed for the hard-core graduate student in plant systematics, but biologists in related disciplines (e.g., anthropology, ethnobotany) may find the training invaluable. This course is offered in even-numbered years.
The bio diversity and ecology of both plants and animals are studied in depth in three contrasting ecosystems (lowland seasonally dry forest, lowland rain forest, cloud forest). This short, intense course is open to participants young and old, ranging from advanced undergraduates to faculty seeking an introduction to the tropics. Applications from non-OTS member schools are welcome. OTS-11 Tropical Conservation Biology
Conservation Biology introduces this rapidly developing discipline and examines conservation issues facing developing countries, most of which are in the tropics, through field work and group projects conducted at sites displaying widely contrasting ecosystems. This course is intended for graduate students in biology, so those from socially oriented disciplines who are considering applying must have significant knowledge of ecology and related biological fields. This course will not be offered in 1998 and future offerings depend on funding. OTS-12 Ecologia da Floresta Amazónica
Emphasis is on the tropical ecology of the Amazon, including the upland forests near Manaus and the flooded várzea forests of the Río Amazonas and Río Negro. This Amazon Basin field course is offered in conjunction with the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), INPA and the Smithonian Institution. All applications are welcome, but students from Brazil and other Latin American countries will be given preference. Fluency in Portuguese is essential. Fellowships are available for tuition and travel support. |
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