Location:

Bangalore, India

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

The Summer Ecosystem Experiences for Undergraduates (SEE-U) program provides undergraduate students of all majors from all accredited colleges or universities with a global understanding of ecology and environmental sustainability. It provides students with the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in unique natural settings in addition to participation in a combination of classroom lectures and lab work. SEE-U India Bangalore & The Western Ghats 5 weeks, 6 credits May 30 – July 4, 2015 SEE-U India is offered in partnership with The Columbia Global Center | South Asia, which provides programs and activities involving students and faculty to focus on issues relating to the South Asian region. Southern Asia has a unique history and is at a critical junction of global importance and faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges across several sectors, including: business; health; environment; education; urban planning; infrastructure; economic development; and arts and culture. By leveraging world-class thought leaders, sharing resources, and conducting innovative projects using a multidisciplinary approach, The Columbia Global Centers | South Asia collaboratively examines and attempts to find solutions to these complex issues. Located near the city of Bangalore, the Western Ghats are a chain of mountains that run along the western coast of peninsular India. Due to their proximity to the ocean, this ecosystem receives high amounts of rainfall throughout the year, resulting in a moist deciduous forest and rain forest. Learn about the Soligas, an indigenous tribal community who were traditionally shifting cultivators, hunters, and gatherers. Learn about invasive ecology and restoration and Investigate tropical wet evergreen forest biology, forest-village interactions, and religious tourism in the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), a global biodiversity hotspot and UNESCO World Heritage Site. SEE-U India provides an intellectually stimulating experience and serves as a platform for necessary debates on how to better integrate environmental preservation into India’s development strategy.

The SEE-U program consists of introductory ecology and biology courses. Lectures coincide with designated labs and topical discussions for the course, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge to practical field techniques in your chosen location. You will receive a weekly schedule that includes reading assignments, lectures and fieldwork. Typical daily activities revolve around a morning lecture and afternoon fieldwork, with full days Monday through Saturday. The program is designed for non-science majors and therefore prior experience or knowledge of the topics, the techniques and the computer programs used is not required. Topics covered by the course include: biomes, biotic processes, abiotic processes and contemporary issues in conservation biology. Course Components Individual Project The individual project gives you the opportunity to explore a testable question that interests you in your respective location. The individual project entails: •Literature searches •Draft and final proposal •Field data collection •Data analysis •Final presentation You will have the support of teachers and field assistants, including workshops on how to carry out literature searches, and the opportunity to learn field techniques before developing your individual project. You will be supported in the design and development process. Field Practical The field practical is a chance for you to test out your newly acquired field skills. You will formulate your ideas in a group, present your ideas, collect and analyze field data, and give a power point oral presentation. The field practical emphasizes the community nature of science, as many scientists in the field must successfully communicate with a team to answer important large-scale questions. Journal You will be required to keep a journal while you are at field sites. The journal acts as an account of your work both in and out of the classroom. A certain number of entries are required and should reflect your experience at the site and your day-to-day activities. An electronic blog may also serve as your journal. Participation Participation is graded on attendance, punctuality, group discussions, presentations and overall effort for the course. Quizzes Periodic quizzes will be given during the course.

Undergraduate students of all majors at all colleges and universities may apply to our: Summer Ecosystem Experiences for Undergraduates (SEE-U) Summer 2015 Field Sites (5 weeks, 6 credits): - Jordan: Amman, Aqaba, Dana, and Wadi Mujib - Brazil: The Atlantic Forest -India:Bangalore & The Western Ghats Learn ecology and environmental sustainability in unique natural settings through applied field techniques: - Earn 6 Undergraduate Credits in just 5 weeks. - No prerequisites required to enroll. - Fellowship funding is available through EICES. SEE-U is offered by the Center for Environmental Sustainability (EICES) at Columbia University's Earth Institute. Visit our website for more information or contact EICES directly. Apply online: - Rolling admissions - apply early for fellowship consideration. - Next application review date is November 1, 2014. We look forward to hearing from you!

Cost:

Tuition: 8,640 ($1,440 per credit) Room and Board $1,950. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required for the program. Airfare is not included.