Summer Field Course in Primate Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation (Peru)

Offered by the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, in coordination with the Center for Global Education (George Mason University).
Program Description: This is a 6-credit, immersive summer field program, held at the Los Amigos Biological Field Station or Centro de Investigación y Capacitación Río Los Amigos (CICRA), located in the Department of Madre de Dios, Peru.

 This course will provide students with an exposure to essential techniques in field methods to conduct research on primates in the wild, in a tropical rainforest setting. It will also give an overview of current conservation issues and strategies for dealing with decreasing primate populations. This course will integrate lectures, field-based exercises in primatological research methods, and development of an independent research project while at the field site.

Course objectives include:
•Interpret the behavior of living primates in relation to proximate or
ultimate functions;
•Understand how ecology, behavior, and life history influence primate
abundance, distribution, and population dynamics
•Recognize the role of primates within the ecosystem and the
interconnected roles of primates with other species;
•Emphasize the conservation status of primates and their importance as
flagship species; and
•Explore current conservation strategies and management strategies in
protection of primates and their habitats.

Entrance Requirements:
-This program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students with a
cumulative GPA of 2.25, including students who do not attend George
Mason University.
-Non-students are welcome to apply, with space provided in priority to
registered students.
-There are no course prerequisites, only a strong interest to learn more
about primate ecology and conservation.
-Students are expected to be in adequate physical condition and able to
hike and walk within a tropical rainforest on a daily basis.
-Participants must have a valid passport (that doesn’t expire within 6
months upon return to US)
-As this course is held in the Amazon rainforest, there are disease
risks. There are no required vaccinations for travel to Peru, but there
are some recommendations.

Tuition/Fees: Course fee is: $3850
Fees covered:
-Tuition (6 credits)
-Pre-departure orientation
-Emergency medical insurance, including medical evacuation and
repatriation
-First night lodging upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado (June 16)
-Round-trip transportation from Puerto Maldonado to field station
-Daily room and board at CICRA field station, including lodging in two-
person dorm-style room, meals 3x/day, snacks, and access to internet.
-Instruction and training by an experienced faculty member
-Guest lectures by primate researchers conducting long-term research at
the field station
-Cultural experience (tour & ruins) and 2-nights lodging in Lima at end
of course (July 7 & 8)

Fees not covered:
-Round-trip international airfare (U.S.—Lima)
-Round-trip in-country airfare (Lima—Puerto Maldonado)
-Meals, souvenirs or other incidentals in Lima
-Required field equipment, including binoculars, field notebooks,
digital watch, rubber boots, headlamp, etc. A full equipment list will
be provided upon request.

Start/End Dates: June 16 – July 9, 2015
Application Deadline: March 20

Comments:
-All students must sign liability waiver forms for the program and for
the field station, and must adhere to all safety precautions, ethical
behavior, environmental awareness, and alcohol and drug policy at the
field site.
-This is a remote field station, only accessible by boat. Students must
be prepared to adjust to life in the humid, wet tropics with basic
accommodations.
-To apply or for more information, visit the website listed below:
http://globaled.gmu.edu/programs/facultyled/summerstudy/peru-
primate.html

Contact information:
Email address: dellesmd@gmu.edu
Contact name: Denise Elles-Mdahuar
Phone number: 703-993-2155; Toll free: 866-468-1243