Field Ecology in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Program Overview

Many UIC undergraduates are interested in ecology and conservation. While the Department of Biological Sciences offers courses in ecology and evolution, tropical ecology, and general ecology, we don’t offer any opportunities for hands-on field research. The islands of the Galapagos National Park, while famous, are understaffed and underfunded as far as being able to monitor all wildlife species regularly. This course will allow students to conduct meaningful field research that will genuinely aid in conservation and long-term monitoring efforts.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in two (2) ongoing research projects through the Universidad San Francisco de Quito-Galápagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences: Monitoring human-sea lion interactions & Photo categorization and identification of turtles.

Unfortunately the program had to be cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The department is glad to announce however that the course has been rescheduled for the summer 2021. We would like to keep this course affordable for our undergraduates.  In previous planning for this course, students’ housing costs were to be minimized through lower cost homestays and double occupancy hotel rooms. Now, due to the need for single occupancy, the cost of field work in Ecuador has ballooned. Students continue to need funds for scuba gear and other equipment related to their field work.

Undergraduate Awards Can Help Students Fund Their Field Work:

Louis Pasteur Award. Given to a graduating Biological Sciences major with a minimum GPA of 3.7 who completes and defends an exceptional research project. The awardee will receive a $500 honorarium.

Elmer Hadley Award. Given to a student in Biological Sciences with high academic achievement who has completed an outstanding BioS 399 research project in ecology, evolution, or conservation biology. The awardee will receive a $500 honorarium.

Mark A. Wyatt Award. Given to a pre-medical Biological Sciences major who is a member of the Honors College and has junior standing. The awardee is selected jointly by the Biology Department and Honors College and will receive a $500 honorarium.

The Hirsch Family Award.  Given to a continuing, full-time student majoring in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, or Neuroscience at UIC who displays academic excellence and has a minimum GPA of 3.5. The awardee will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Please consider a gift to the Biological Sciences Fund today in order to help fund these awards that enable our talented students to participate in hands-on field research.