Primate Behavior and Conservation

December 28, 2007 – January 17, 2008 and June 9 – July 6, 2008

This course is designed to provide students with field experience in primate behavior, ecology, and conservation. This intensive 28 day course will be conducted at El Zota Biological Field Station in the Northeastern part of Costa Rica. The learning experiences for the course fall into four main categories: field exercises, seminars, lectures, and independent research. The field exercises and seminars provide instruction and experience in: (1) methods of measuring environmental variables, including assessment of resource availability, (2) methods of collecting and analyzing the behavior of free-ranging primates, (3) mapping a field site, and (4) techniques for estimating population size. Lecture topics will cover the behavior and ecology of Old and New World primates from an evolutionary perspective. Selected lecture topics include primate sociality, foraging behavior, cognition, and conservation. The course will also guide students through the process of designing and carrying out their own research projects. In addition, students will gain experience in applied primate conservation during a course trip to the Caribbean coast. Enrollment is limited to a maximum of 25 students. The course is open to both credit and non-credit seeking students. Credit seeking students can receive 3-6 credit hours directly through the State University of New York at Oneonta. Alternatively, independent study credit can be obtained through your home institutions.

For more information please download our course packet or visit our website at  http://www.danta.info/.

Cancellation Policy
Course fees must be received by the registration deadline. DANTA reserves the right to cancel a course if enrollment is less than 10 students by the registration deadline. If a participant cancels after the registration deadline, DANTA will refund 40% of the total tuition fee.

Registration Fee and Deposit
A $100 registration fee and $100 deposit are required when you submit your application. Your application will not be processed until this deposit is received. The $100 deposit will be go towards your tuition and is refundable until the registration deadline. However, the $100 registration fee is non-refundable. All payments must be in U.S. currency. Please make checks payable to “DANTA: Association for Conservation of the Tropics”.

Obtaining Credit
DANTA is a private institution, but there is opportunity to receive university credit through our member institutions (East Stroudsburg University and the State University of New York at Oneonta). Please consult your field course instructor for further information on obtaining credit from these universities. In addition, it is likely that you can receive credit through your own university by way of an “independent study.” You should arrange for an independent study with your professor or advisor prior to arriving in Costa Rica. Your DANTA course instructor will provide an academic transcript to your professor or advisor. Generally, students receive 3-6 credit hours for our month long programs, and 3 credits for the 2 week courses.