COURSE DETAIL
NATURE FILMMAKING
Country
Costa Rica
Host Institution
Monteverde Institute
Program(s)
Tropical Biology and Conservation
UCEAP Course Level
Lower Division
UCEAP Subject Area(s)
Film & Media Studies
UCEAP Course Number
85
UCEAP Course Suffix
UCEAP Official Title
NATURE FILMMAKING
UCEAP Transcript Title
NATURE FILMMAKING
UCEAP Quarter Units
1.50
UCEAP Semester Units
1.00
Course Description
In this course, students use basic video and communication tools to make their own three to five minute film related to the independent research project (BIO 188: Research Practicum). Through lectures and hands-on exercise, this course offers a study of story-telling, story boards, sound-recording, filming, copyrights, and editing. Students work closely with the film instructor and the advisor of their research project to produce their films. Final films are shown publicly during the homestay family lunch or symposium.
Language(s) of Instruction
Host Institution Course Number
Host Institution Course Title
NATURE FILMMAKING
Host Institution Campus
Monteverde
Host Institution Faculty
Host Institution Degree
Host Institution Department
COURSE DETAIL
INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY - SUPPLEMENTAL SEMINAR
Country
Costa Rica
Host Institution
Monteverde Institute
Program(s)
Tropical Biology and Conservation
UCEAP Course Level
Upper Division
UCEAP Subject Area(s)
Biological Sciences
UCEAP Course Number
189
UCEAP Course Suffix
UCEAP Official Title
INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY - SUPPLEMENTAL SEMINAR
UCEAP Transcript Title
INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY
UCEAP Quarter Units
3.00
UCEAP Semester Units
2.00
Course Description
This course, taken prior to departure for the Costa Rica Tropical Biology Program, provides a supplemental seminar so the students may meet semester contact time/unit requirements. This directed reading course provides an introduction to current ideas about the origin, maintenance, uses and conservation of tropical biodiversity. Topics, selected by students, could include comparisons of terrestrial vs. marine biodiversity, analysis of the costs and benefits of bioprospecting, and patterns found in Old World vs. New World Tropics. Students ask and address a question in a written paper based on the literature. They also give an oral presentation of their findings to others in the class. *Course includes 75 hours of contracted independent study.
Language(s) of Instruction
English
Host Institution Course Number
Host Institution Course Title
INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY - SUPPLEMENTAL SEMINAR
Host Institution Campus
Host Institution Faculty
Host Institution Degree
Host Institution Department
COURSE DETAIL
SPANISH FOR BIOLOGISTS
Country
Costa Rica
Host Institution
Monteverde Institute
Program(s)
Tropical Biology and Conservation
UCEAP Course Level
Lower Division
UCEAP Subject Area(s)
Spanish
UCEAP Course Number
2
UCEAP Course Suffix
UCEAP Official Title
SPANISH FOR BIOLOGISTS
UCEAP Transcript Title
SPAN FOR BIOLOGISTS
UCEAP Quarter Units
2.00
UCEAP Semester Units
1.30
Course Description
This course offers students the opportunity to engage in conversation, acquire competence, and improve their Spanish language abilities. Costa Rican colloquialisms and vocabulary related to the forest, agro-ecology, food, body parts, and culture are covered. A 15-night homestay with a local family immerses students in Spanish language and Costa Rican culture. Evaluation for the course is based on participation, written assignments, and a final exam.
Language(s) of Instruction
Host Institution Course Number
Host Institution Course Title
SPANISH FOR BIOLOGISTS
Host Institution Campus
Monteverde
Host Institution Faculty
Host Institution Degree
Host Institution Department
COURSE DETAIL
SPANISH FOR NATIVE SPEAKERS
Country
Costa Rica
Host Institution
Monteverde Institute
Program(s)
Tropical Biology and Conservation
UCEAP Course Level
Upper Division
UCEAP Subject Area(s)
Spanish
UCEAP Course Number
180
UCEAP Course Suffix
UCEAP Official Title
SPANISH FOR NATIVE SPEAKERS
UCEAP Transcript Title
SPAN:NATIVE SPEAKRS
UCEAP Quarter Units
2.00
UCEAP Semester Units
1.30
Course Description
This Spanish course includes independent reading and interviewing local residents. The goals are to increase skills in communicating with persons of a wide range of backgrounds, to learn more about local land use and management practices, to enhance command of technical terms and to immerse into the culture. A 15-night homestay with a local family immerses students in Spanish language and Costa Rican culture. Evaluation for the course is based on oral reports and written assignments.
Language(s) of Instruction
Host Institution Course Number
Host Institution Course Title
SPANISH FOR NATIVE SPEAKERS
Host Institution Campus
Monteverde
Host Institution Faculty
Host Institution Degree
Host Institution Department
COURSE DETAIL
TROPICAL COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
Country
Costa Rica
Host Institution
Monteverde Institute
Program(s)
Tropical Biology and Conservation
UCEAP Course Level
Upper Division
UCEAP Subject Area(s)
Biological Sciences
UCEAP Course Number
102
UCEAP Course Suffix
UCEAP Official Title
TROPICAL COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
UCEAP Transcript Title
TROP COMM ECOLOGY
UCEAP Quarter Units
4.00
UCEAP Semester Units
2.70
Course Description
This course focuses on the ecology and natural history of organisms and the processes that generate patterns evident at the community level. The initial field trip and subsequent orientation walks are fully integrated into the course. Lecture topics include pollination, seed dispersal, herbivory and plant defenses, mutualisms, parasitisms, soil ecology and nutrient cycling, and forest dynamics and succession. Students do several field projects (in groups or pairs) in which a question is asked and answered in a day's effort. Evolution and conservation are themes throughout the course.
Language(s) of Instruction
Host Institution Course Number
Host Institution Course Title
TROPICAL COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
Host Institution Campus
Monteverde
Host Institution Faculty
Host Institution Degree
Host Institution Department
COURSE DETAIL
TROPICAL BIOLOGY RESEARCH PRACTICUM
Country
Costa Rica
Host Institution
Monteverde Institute
Program(s)
Tropical Biology and Conservation
UCEAP Course Level
Upper Division
UCEAP Subject Area(s)
Biological Sciences
UCEAP Course Number
188
UCEAP Course Suffix
UCEAP Official Title
TROPICAL BIOLOGY RESEARCH PRACTICUM
UCEAP Transcript Title
TROP BIO RSRCH PRAC
UCEAP Quarter Units
4.00
UCEAP Semester Units
2.70
Course Description
Under the supervision of a faculty member, students conduct an independent research project in the field of biological sciences. Based on initial observations, students write a proposal in which they pose the question they wish to address. Students then collect and analyze data, and write a research paper. Their first submission is reviewed by two instructors and a peer reviewer. Students revise and improve their first submission and submit the final paper. Students present their findings orally in a symposium that is open to the public. * Contracted independent study is for 20 hours per week.
Language(s) of Instruction
English
Host Institution Course Number
Host Institution Course Title
TROPICAL BIOLOGY RESEARCH PRACTICUM
Host Institution Campus
Monteverde
Host Institution Faculty
Host Institution Degree
Host Institution Department