Study Abroad Opportunity: Antarctic Field Course for Undergraduates
Ice Breaker by Stuart Klipper
Natural Science Foundation
May 2002
Sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Natural Science
General Information Students will have the opportunity to experience and learn about earth system science in the unique setting of Antarctica - the only continent on Earth governed by a multinational treaty that promotes peace, advanced scientific understanding and international collaboration.
Biological and physical processes in Antarctica are fundamentally important to global phenomenon such as climate change. Understanding these processes and linkages at the global scale, including the impact of humans, is critical for sustainably managing a future state of the Earth.
Students will begin this program by traveling to Ushuaia in southern Argentine where they will participate in a series of preparatory lectures before departing on an expedition-style ship that will take them to the Antarctic Peninsula. While on-board, students will be briefed on Antarctic science topics such as climatology, oceanography, glaciology, ecology and biology, human geography and field survey methods and safety. Following arrival back in Ushuaia, students will visit several national parks around Tierra del Fuego in southern Patagonia whilst recapping their experiences in the Antarctic through a series of lectures, group activities and individual projects.
In and near Antarctica, students will explore and experience the unique landscape and wildlife of Antarctica as well as investigate the history of human occupation and the current scientific work being conducted in the region. Frequent sightings of seabirds, whales and icebergs are expected during the voyage.