Course Information:
Students must enroll in BIO369 (Spring 2016 course with summer travel).
-BIO369 is a 4 Credits (COR II, G & E Tags)
-Meets Tuesday and Thursday Spring Semester
-Pre-requisites: Sophomore standing and ability to swim

Course Description:
The Galapagos Islands are world renowned for their role in the development of the theory of Natural Selection by Charles Darwin. They are also home to unique species, dynamic volcanic activity and an unfolding lesson on the costs and benefits of ecotourism. Over the course of the semester, we will explore the geological and biological basis for the importance of the Galapagos Islands as well as examine the environmental issue the Archipelago and its inhabitants are currently facing. The culmination of the class will be a two week trip to the Galapagos Islands where we will cruise the archipelago seeing incredible wildlife, hiking the volcanos that formed the islands, snorkeling and visiting research stations and giant tortoise breeding centers.

This itinerary is subject the Galapagos National Park Service, but the group will likely visit the following sites:

-San Cristobel Island - Town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
-Lobos Island – Hiking and Snorkeling with Sea Lions
- Santa Fe Island- Hiking to see Giant Cactuses and Land Iguanas
-Plazas Islands – Hiking to sea lion colony and desert vegetation
-Santa Cruz Island – Visit Charles Darwin Research Station, Giant Tortoise breeding center and the Islands Highlands
-Isabela Island- Hike the Sierra Negro Volcano and see the islands’s wetlands and public beaches
-Punta Moreno- Panga ride to see Galapgos Penquins and shore birds
-Bahia Elizabeth- Panga ride into the bay to see sea turtles and other marine life
-Caleta Tagus- Hike to see the Marine Iguana colony as well as other marine life
-Punta Vicente Roca- Hike to see the bay protected in a collapsed volcanic cone
-Santiago Island, Puerto Egas- Snorkeling and Swimming at a black sand beach
-Rabida Island- Hiking and birdwatching to see hawks, pelicans and flycatchers
-Seymour Island- Hiking to see blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds