The latest South Africa Newsletter, documenting the progress an activities of our current Undergraduate program, has now been released. As always, the group is simultaneously exhausted and exhilarated from the great variety of activities and educational challenges.

 Excerpt:

In the third leg of the course, we left Cape Town and drove south towards the southernmost tip of

Africa, Cape Agulhas. The group stayed at the Potberg Environmental Education Centre inside

De Hoop Nature Reserve. Situated in the beautiful Cape floristic region, De Hoop is a haven for both terrestrial and marine animals. A number of our students frequently encountered the rare Bontebok, Cape Mountain Zebra, and Eland during their evening runs, while Cape Vultures graced our skies as they soared from their nearby colony.

In De Hoop, students were introduced to their first Faculty Field Projects (FFPs). These projects are an opportunity for scientists working within South African systems to conduct research projects with our

students. Through these projects, students are exposed to a greater variety of research as well as

to potential career paths available to them in the field of biology.

Click here to download the full newsletter. (PDF) 

Bats and Piper

This OTS "fundamentals course" is an intensive, field-based experience in tropical biology for graduate students. Since the 1960s, this classic OTS course has trained ecologists and evolutionary biologists using an active learning approach, which engages students in a fun and fast-paced research environment. With guidance from expert scientists, students will gain experience in critical thinking, research design, data analysis, analytical tools, science communication, ecological modeling, and collaborative research-all in the diverse tropical settings of Costa Rica. We guarantee you will come away from the course a better scientist with new skills and ideas to carry into your future research.