Biology in Australia & New Zealand

PREREQUISITES

Biology 125 and 126, or equivalent, and at least one 200-level or 300-level course taught by one of the course directors (Biology 210 and 221 taught in 2012-2013 will also count). Applicants should have a passion for biology, respect for other organisms and cultures, and a desire to explore new countries and extreme environments. The directors seek students with the character and ability to get along well with classmates and instructors while living and working closely under sometime challenging circumstances. Biological fieldwork poses a host of unusual challenges and discomforts. Applicants should be prepared for vigorous hiking at high altitude, in hot desert conditions, or in monsoonal rain.

COURSE OF STUDY: 18 CREDITS

 

BIOL 307: Evolutionary Ecology of Australia and New Zealand (6 credits)

The evolutionary histories of Australia and New Zealand are unique because of their relative isolation from other continental land masses. This course will explore the biogeography of these areas, with emphasis on the evolutionary diversification of endemic lineages of organisms including mammals (such as marsupials), birds (such as moas), plants, and insects. Class research projects on site will examine how ecological interactions have evolved among these unique species, and how these interactions are being affected by the large number of introduced species now present.
Instructor: Professor McKone

BIOL 308: Ecology and Conservation in Australia and New Zealand (6 credits)

Australia and New Zealand have a diversity of ecosystem types and ecological communities, from eucalypt and beech forests, to desert shrublands and alpine grasslands. This course will explore the ecological processes that shape these landscapes, including climate variability, plant-animal interactions, and disturbance, as well as the conservation challenges resulting from land use change, invasive species, and climate change. Students will design and conduct research projects and present their findings in written and oral reports.
Instructor: Professor Hernández

BIOL 309: Comparative Reproduction of Australian Vertebrates (6 credits)

Australia has remarkable diversity of terrestrial vertebrates, including many marsupials, lizards, and snakes. These animals span a wide array of reproductive strategies, and the group will consider the evolutionary pressures that produce differences in reproductive morphology, physiology, and behavioral ecology of a variety of Australian vertebrates. Why do some species give birth while others lay eggs? What environmental conditions favor territoriality? How do environmental cues initiate the reproductive season? A thorough understanding of ultimate and proximate mechanisms that shape the vast diversity of vertebrate reproductive traits requires an interdisciplinary approach, which students will pursue in field research projects.
Instructor: Professor Rand

LEARNING GOALS

• Learn to critically read and evaluate primary literature in the various disciplines covered in the three courses.
• Learn to effectively present the outcome of field research in oral and written form.
• Learn to ask research questions in a field setting, design experiments that address these questions, and gather and analyze relevant data.
• Gain an understanding of the natural history of Australia and New Zealand, particularly in comparison to Northern Hemisphere biomes.
• Gain an understanding of the impact of both evolutionary history and human history on the current challenges of conservation, including management of introduced species.

SNORKELING AND DIVING

Snorkeling is a remarkable way to explore Australia's Great Barrier Reef and involves the acquisition of appropriate equipment and necessary skills. There will be guided opportunities to snorkel along the reef during the last four days of the program. SCUBA diving is not part of this program but opportunities may be arranged for those with proper certification. A training course is regularly taught on campus at an additional cost.