Attention undergraduate students: Have you ever wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands? Here’s your chance! As part of the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Travel Study program, you have the opportunity to spend 17 days this summer exploring the Galapagos. The trip is a component of the course The Ecology of the Galapagos Islands (MBIO 4260), offered by the college’s Division of Math, Science, and Technology.
This field course (MBIO 4261, 1 credit hour) provides direct experience with principles of evolutionary ecology that are introduced in MBIO 4260 in the unique setting of the Galapagos Islands. The course includes visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station and several sites in the Galapagos National Park on the island of Santa Cruz as well as additional experiences on other islands of the archipelago. Note: to participate in this Travel Study trip, students must first complete the prerequisite course: MBIO 4260.
Trip Dates: May 17–June 2
Itinerary:
Day 1
Travel from Miami to Quito, Ecuador (MIA—UIO)
Day 2
Travel from Quito to Pto Baquerizo Moreno, Isla San Cristobal (UIO—SCY)
Orientation at the interpretation center, snorkeling at La Loberia
Day 3
Snorkeling at Kicker Rock and Isla Lobos
Day 4
Highlands Tour: El Progreso, El Junco, and Cerro Colorado
Day 5
Free Day
Day 6
Travel to Floreana; visit the pirate caves
Day 7
Snorkeling at La Loberia or La Botella; travel to Puerto Vilamil, Isla Isabela
Day 8
Los Tuneles and Roca Union, tortoise rearing center, and salt marsh hike
Day 9
Horseback and walking tour to Volcan Chico; snorkel in mangroves
Day 10
Free Day
Day 11
Travel to Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz, visit Charles Darwin Research Station
Day 12
Highlands Tour: Media Luna and Cerro Crocker
Day 13
Free Day
Day 14
Day trip to Bartholome
Day 15
Tortuga Bay; kayak and snorkel
Day 16
Depart Galapagos, Isla Santa Cruz – Quito (BAL—UIO)
Day 17
Fly from Quito back to Miami (UIO—MIA)
To be eligible for this trip, you must complete the Travel Study Application, Release of Liability Form, and Field Trip Agreement Form, and have a valid U.S. passport (must be valid for at least six months following the end of the trip). Completed forms, a copy of your passport, and an initial deposit of $1,000 are due by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, to the college’s Office of the Dean, located in the Mailman-Hollywood Building, second floor.
The total cost of the trip is $4,050. A second deposit of $2,680 is due by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 16. The trip includes airfare, hotel accommodations, some meals, local transportation while in Quito and the Galapagos Islands, various entrance fees, and transportation via a chartered boat. Students are financially responsible for snacks and beverages, personal items and incidentals, souvenirs, additional meals, and insurance.
If you choose to enroll in this course, please follow these directions:
- Complete an application and the Release of Liability Form.
(Make sure your full name is as it appears on your passport. If there is a discrepancy, you will NOT be permitted on the plane.) - Make copies of the application and the Release of Liability Form.
- Submit one copy to your instructor (if enrolling in both courses, submit one copy to each instructor).
- Submit one copy to the Office of the Dean in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences with your deposit.
- Keep one copy for your records.
- Register for your class(es) with your academic advisor during open registration.
- Submit final payment to the Office of the Dean in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences.
For more information, please contact Joshua Feingold, Ph.D., associate professor in the college, at (954) 262-8307.