Tropical Field Ecology in Guatemala - OU Programs - International Education

International Education

O'Dowd Hall, Room 328
586 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2889
ie@oakland.edu

Office hours
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

In-person and virtual advising hours
Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m.

Walk-in advising hours
Mon - Thurs: 1 - 3 p.m.

Alex Zimmerman, Director
(248) 370-2843
azimmerman@oakland.edu

Freshwater Ecology in the Great Lakes and Guatemala: Promoting Sustainability in an Era of Global Change

Walk on the wild side with a hands-on expedition to Guatemala. Explore each region’s freshwater ecosystems through the three-credit field-based course Freshwater Ecology in the Great Lakes and Guatemala (BIO 3300 Tropical Field Ecology). This two-week course in Guatemala will familiarize you with diverse tropical ecosystems by employing field-based experimental and observational approaches to better understand how human activities impact resource exchanges.

Travel by plane, bus, and boat to experience the beauty and biodiversity of Guatemala. The program date TBD.

For more information, contact:

Scott Tiegs, Program Director
tiegs@oakland.edu
(248) 370-2695

Alex Zimmerman
Director of International Education
azimmerman@oakland.edu

Apply Now Make a deposit or payment

What You Will Do and Learn

Students will perform fieldwork in Guatemala at diverse locations from the mangrove forests of the Pacific Coast to the azure shores of the Caribbean, aided by Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala’s national reach and expansive ecological research programs. Connections will be made with an indigenous organization in the historic capital of Antigua, exploring native responses to climate change while practicing Spanish and learning conversational K’iche’Mayan.

Within the compact area of Guatemala, students will experience tropical dry forests, wetlands, floodplains, cloud forest, mangroves, and rivers, in addition to rain forests and reefs.

Students will connect with Guatemalan students from the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala to jointly explore field-based experimental and observational approaches in primarily aquatic ecosystems. Meaningful connections will be made for the purposes of research, exchange of experiences, and future collaboration.