Antarctic Field Course - Study Abroad

Curriculum

The program will focus on:
  • Processes and interactions among the major components of the Antarctic system and their importance to global phenomenona.
  • Current research in marine and terrestrial biology, oceanography, climatology, glaciology, geology and human geography.
  • The importance of multidisciplinary research in Antarctic system science.
  • The critical role of remote sensing and GIS technologies in Antarctic research.
  • Early exploration of the world's coldest, windiest, driest and highest continent.
  • How science in Antarctica is being pursued by over 45 nations in a spirit of international cooperation and collaboration, not competition.
  • Lessons learned from the history of four eras:
    • Early whaling/sealing
    • Exploration
    • Science and international politics
    • The current climate of tourism/adventure/environmental research.
Courses
Students will be required to enroll for a minimum of four credits (cr), maximum of six, from the following courses:
  1. ANR 475
    International Studies in Agriculture and Natural Resources (2-6 cr)
  2. FW 491/891
    Special Topics in Fisheries and Wildlife (1-5 cr)
  3. FW 490
    Independent Studies in Fisheries and Wildlife (1-5 cr)
  4. PLB 490
    Directed Studies in Plant Biology (1-4 cr)
  5. PLB 498
    Undergraduate Research in Plant Biology (1-4 cr)
ANR 475 / NSC 491 / FW 491 - 3 credits
  • Exam on prescribed reading material soon after arrival in Ushuaia (20%)
  • Randomly assigned oral presentation delivered in Ushuaia following voyage (10%)
  • Two short answer exams based on oral presentations, prescribed reading material, onboard lectures and post voyage lectures and discussions (20% each)
  • Daily journal for loading on a web site, compiled for each day of the trip and handed in prior to the return trip to Detroit (30%)

    FW 490 / PLB 490 / NSC 490 - 3 credits

  • Multiple field reports following field excursions in Antarctica (30%)
  • Group projects of 3-5 students to coordinate retrieval of reference material and provide a forum for discussion with faculty. Assessment will be a poster presentation (30%) and term paper (40%) due 1 month after the trip (Feb 13th).

    No prior knowledge of any of these subject areas is required
    Independent research projects can be accommodated - please see us.
    Summary of Proposed Curriculum
    Itinerary Day #:1-23-45-67-1213-1415-2021-22February 13
    Date:Dec 13-14Dec 15-16Dec 17-18Dec 19-24Dec 25-26Dec 27-Jan 1Jan 2-3
    Travel:X     X 
    Ushuaia: X   X  
    Drake Passage  X X   
    Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula   X    
    ANR 475 / NSC 491 / FW 491

    3 Credits

    		 3 Exams, 20% Each X   X  
    Oral 10%     X  
    Journal 30%     X  
    FW 490 / PLB 490 / NSC 490

    3 credits

    		 Field Reports 30%   X    
    Poster 30%       X
    Term Paper 40%       X

    Details
    Working info...