Biological Science

Travel and Field Courses

This page lists field courses in the biological sciences. These require a fee and are typically eligible for college credit, though for some it may be via Independent Study arranged at your home institution.

Spring 2026

Center for Wildlife Studies Courses

Look for course available for academic credit; you will want to set it up as an independent study through your home institution. https://www.centerforwildlifestudies.org/courses

Summer 2026

2/5 – Summer Courses at Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

2026 Summer Courses at Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (ASU BIOS), a unit of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University, is accepting applications for two exciting summer courses scheduled for 2026.

These popular summer courses are designed to immerse an international cohort in an intensive 3-week program that is unique in marine science education. Founded in 1903, ASU BIOS is a world-class ocean science research and education facility. Our summer courses provide participants with the opportunity to expand their studies into subtropical environments and/or to investigate topics in ocean science which are not offered within the curricula of their home institutions. ASU BIOS has quick and easy access to a diverse array of subtropical marine habitats and ocean locations around Bermuda which, combined with lectures, discussions and integrated field work, skills training and laboratory exercises, create an optimal environment for experiential learning.

Suitably qualified applicants, of all nationalities, may apply for bursary funding towards course fees which include 3-weeks tuition, campus accommodation and meals (we do not award bursary funding for travel related expenses or medical/travel insurance).

CORAL REEF ECOLOGY: Functional Ecology of Coral Reefs

MARINE MOLECULAR ECOLOGY

Full course details, syllabi, prerequisites and application instructions are available here: https://bios.asu.edu/education/summer-courses

Application deadline April 30, 2026

Questions? Please contact us at bios.education@bios.asu.edu.

2/5 – Applied Bioacoustics for Conservation – Kruger National Park, South Africa

Listen to the Wild 🌿 Apply for Applied Bioacoustics for Conservation in Theory and Practice (2026)

📅 Course Dates
• Session I: May 10–23, 2026
• Session II: September 20–October 3, 2026

📍 Location: Skukuza Research Station, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Sound is transforming the way we study and protect biodiversity. From monitoring elusive species to tracking ecosystem change, bioacoustics is rapidly becoming a powerful tool in modern conservation science. Join the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) and the African Bioacoustics Community for an immersive, two-week field course set in the iconic Kruger National Park—one of Africa’s most biologically rich and dynamic landscapes. This hands-on course integrates lectures, field-based data collection, and guided data analysis to equip participants with practical skills in applying bioacoustics to real-world conservation and ecological research.

🔍 What You’ll Learn
• Core principles of bioacoustics and sound propagation
• Field recording methods and passive acoustic monitoring (PAM)
• Signal processing, annotation, and species identification
• Emerging and applied uses of bioacoustics in conservation practice and research

👩‍🔬 Who Should Apply
Advanced undergraduate students (Junior/Senior year), graduate students, early-career researchers, conservation practitioners, and professionals interested in incorporating acoustic methods into ecological science and biodiversity monitoring.

💸 Partial Scholarships Available
A limited number of need-based partial scholarships are available. Applicants wishing to be considered should submit a brief motivation letter with their application.

📢 Apply Now
👉 https://tropicalstudies.org/course/applied-bioacoustics/
Rolling admissions | Limited spaces available

📩 Questions?
Contact us at graduate@tropicalstudies.org

2/5 – 3-CREDIT FIELD COURSES IN THE CARIBBEAN & COLORADO

Ecosystem Field Studies   www.ecofs.org

  • Earn 3 undergraduate college transfer credits in these exciting 3-week, hands-on field study courses.
  • Learn practical scientific skills & methods in field research through active investigations.
  • Engage & connect with a dynamic & diverse group of student peers from throughout the US and beyond
  • Open to students from all universities & majors | Accredited by the University of Montana at Missoula, Environmental Studies Program:
    ENST 391- for 3 undergraduate semester transfer credits

Caribbean Ecosystem Field Studies
* Study, SCUBA, & Snorkel on the Caribbean coast of Mexico *
      May 20- June 9, 2026

Colorado Ecosystem Field Studies  
* Study, camp, & hike in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado *
    June 19 – July 7 or July 17- August 6, 2026

1/29 – Wildlife Biology Research Assistantship – Peru

Field Projects International has limited openings in three field research training programs in the Peruvian Amazon: 

Primate Behavior & Movement Ecology: The longest-running research project, Primate Behavior & Movement Ecology, evaluates 11 primate species to observe diet, movement, dispersal, and reproductive biology – with special focus on two species of tamarin. 
Research assistants will become adept at conducting behavioral follows of several target groups (with and without radio telemetry technology), collecting biological samples, and learn to maintain a grid of UHF radio nodes distributed at regular intervals in the forest to record animal movement and survival year-round.

More info: https://fieldprojects.org/participate/primate-behavior-program/

Wildlife Health: Assist a wildlife veterinary research team safely collecting samples from a wide array of vertebrate taxa (birds, bats, nonhuman primates, other small mammals, and herpetofauna) with the aim of improving molecular reference data for the region, as well as to study ecological links throughout the community via parasites and pathogens. Participants learn safe capture and release techniques along with best practices for sample and data collection. Additional skills include field sampling for environmental DNA, sample biobanking under field conditions, species identification through morphometry, handheld GPS navigation, and much more.

More info: https://fieldprojects.org/participate/wildlife-biology

Conservation Genomics: Work alongside an active conservation genomics research team to generate and analyze genetic data that informs wildlife conservation and management. Participants assist with biological sample processing, DNA extraction, PCR, and library preparation in a BSL-2 laboratory, while learning how genomic data are used to study population structure, connectivity, biodiversity, and evolutionary history. Research assistants gain hands-on experience with lab workflows, data management, and the integration of field and molecular data to address real-world conservation questions.
**minimum 6-week commitment for Conservation Genomics**

More info: https://fieldprojects.org/participate/conservation-genomics/

Quick Facts:

  • 2026 Start Dates: May 24, June 14, or July 5
  • Minimum Commitment: 5 weeks
  • Location: Los Amigos Biological Station, Peru
  • Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
  • Program Fee: $2,450 for 5 weeks; $490 each additional week (Fee includes food and lodging at the field station, training and use of field equipment. Fee does not include transportation to the field station).

See our scholarship opportunities: 
https://fieldprojects.org/participate/scholarships/ 

Ready to apply? CV + 2 references required:
https://fieldprojects.org/research-program-application

All questions can be directed to Kassidy K León at info[at]fieldprojects[dot]org

1/29 – Dolphin Ecology and Marine Conservation Field Course – Sardinia, Italy

The Institute for Field Research (IFR), in partnership with MareTerra, is offering a two-week field course on Dolphin Ecology & Marine Conservation in beautiful Sardinia, Italy from June 1-June 13, 2026. This immersive, two-week summer program offers participants the opportunity to study wild bottlenose dolphins, gain field research experience, and contribute to real-world conservation efforts while earning academic credit.

Participants will gain field and lab-based research skills, working alongside experts to collect dolphin bioacoustic data and contribute to conservation strategies for managing human-marine mammal interactions. The program includes an online pre-departure module, beachfront accommodations, and cultural excursions, with 4 semester/6 quarter credits awarded through Connecticut College.

Course highlights include:

  • Practical experience in boat-based monitoring of cetacean behavior and habitat use in the stunning Capo Caccia MPA, a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot
  • Training in photo identification, PAM data collection, GIS and Raven Pro analysis and more
  • Engage with local fishers and tourism stakeholders to advance conservation strategies
  • A home base in Alghero, a lively town with Catalan heritage, fantastic food, and access to Sardinia’s best beaches and cultural sites.

Applications are now open with a February 1st priority deadline and we welcome participation from all majors and academic backgrounds. Please feel free to share this opportunity and the materials below with students or colleagues who may be interested.

More info & apply: [Field Course Webpage] [Flyer] [Request Info]

For questions, contact us at info@ifrglobal.org. Thank you for sharing!

1/29 – Student funding opportunity for invertebrate courses or research at field stations

The Division of Invertebrate Zoology of the Society for Integrative & Comparative Zoology will be reviewing applications for the 2026 Libbie H. Hyman Memorial Scholarship, with a deadline of February 13 2026.

This scholarship provides assistance to students who plan to take courses or to pursue research on invertebrates at a marine, freshwater, or terrestrial field station, and is intended to help support a first meaningful field-station experience for an early graduate student or an advanced undergraduate. Applicants do not need to be members of SICB.

Awards are limited to undergraduates or graduate students currently enrolled in degree programs; priority will be given to advanced undergraduates or early graduate students. Funds must be used to support coursework or research on invertebrates at a field station. The award does not support fieldwork that is not based at a field station. Priority will be given to projects that represent the first significant field station experience for a student. 

Full eligibility and application guidelines are here; please contact the chair of the scholarship committee (Dr. Abigail Cahill, acahill@albion.edu) with questions.

1/19 – Two-week wildlife field techniques course (May 17-30) in the Adirondacks – NY

The Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society, in cooperation with Paul Smith’s College, will be hosting our 14th annual 2-week Wildlife Field Course at Paul Smith’s College, New York, May 17-30, 2026. 

Please visit the course website for details and application materials:   http://wildlife.org/ne-section/about/student-field-course/

The course fee is $1300 and includes 3 undergraduate or graduate credits through Paul Smith’s College (PSC) and room and board for the 2 weeks.  The course is housed at the PSC Campus on 14,000 acres of forests, lakes, and streams amidst the 6 million acres of the Adirondack Park.  The course emphasizes hands-on experience with basic field techniques (small mammal trapping, bird point counts, habitat sampling, radiotelemetry, etc.) and small group work organized around the theme of conducting a biological inventory.   We also provide hunter education training and certification in Project Wild. The course is led by practicing wildlife biologists and ecologists who volunteer their time to serve as instructors providing great networking opportunities and career perspectives during evening discussion sessions.  We usually have 20+ guest instructors from various state and federal agencies, consulting firms, and universities.  The November/December 2017 issue of The Wildlife Professional (www.wildlife.org) has a short article on the course which is accessible from the course website.  Several chapters of The Wildlife Society offer full or partial scholarships to eligible students, too.

Enrollment is capped at 20 students; we accept undergrad or grad students from any college or university, you do not need to be enrolled in a wildlife major to be eligible and we also accept unenrolled students who have already completed a degree and are looking to gain field skills.   Please do not reply to this email with questions but contact me at: nefieldcourse@gmail.com.

1/19 – Freshwater Algae class – NY

FRESHWATER ALGAE IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP – SUMMER 2026

May 18 – 29, 2026
Louis Calder Center – Biological Field Station, Fordham University

We are pleased to again offer our summer freshwater algae field course.  We focus on all groups of freshwater algae from diverse aquatic habitats. Students and professionals can gain proficiency in (or sharpen up on) using taxonomic keys, examining ecological factors influencing algal biodiversity, and collect high-resolution algal images and image vouchers.   Instructor: Dr. John Wehr ( wehr@fordham.edu )

We are located in southern New York state in a wooded preserve that includes a 10-acre mesotrophic lake. We are less than an hour from New York City, and a short distance from the Appalachian Trail, the Hudson River, and many pristine and human-influenced aquatic ecosystems.  We will sample a diverse range of lake, pond, and river habitats. We provide a full array of sampling gear, microscopy facilities, and an extensive taxonomic library.    
    Algal images from our lake: https://www.fwa-biodiversity.org/algae-of-calder-lake
    About the field station: https://www.fordham.edu/calder_center
    Housing at the field station, as available, by request (contact: aperrone@fordham.edu ).

Registration is Open!: www.fordham.edu/FWalgaeID      Deadline:  March 31, 2025.
    – Registration Fee: $2000 (double room); $2250 (single room).  Cost includes on-site housing (limited number).  
    – Meals are not provided, but cooking facilities are available with housing.
    – Transportation costs to and from the field station must be arranged by the student.
Interested or Questions?  Contact John Wehr ( wehr@fordham.edu ) or Alissa Perrone (aperrone@fordham.edu).

1/9 – Sustainable Agriculture in Greek Olive Groves

Applications are now open for the Sustainable Agriculture & Biodiversity Field Course in Greece, hosted by the Institute for Field Research and the University of the Aegean. This three-week summer program (June 6-June 26, 2026) is based on the island of Lesvos, providing students with an immersive experience in environmental fieldwork (and not to mention a beautiful backdrop for our research!). 

Course overview:  Participants will study the impact of different environmental management methods on biodiversity within Mediterranean olive groves, exploring the balance between productive farming practices and ecosystem health. Through field and lab-based research, students will contribute to research shaping conservation practices for Mediterranean agro-ecosystems. Key practical skills include:

  • Biodiversity assessments and population monitoring
  • Species identification and survey techniques
  • Environmental data collection and habitat assessment using drones and camera systems
  • Use of pitfall and pan traps for arthropod sampling
  • Scientific writing and presentation skills

Field course details: Housing is provided in modern, self-catering university dorms, and cultural activities and excursions are included in the program. Participants will earn academic credit through Connecticut College upon successful completion of the program.

Key deadlines: The priority application deadline is February 1 with rolling admissions thereafter until the course is filled.

Learn more:

12/11 – Kayapo Project Internship and Field Course – Brazil

Dates: June 26 – July 14, 2026

Location: Kayapo Indigenous Territories, Brazil

Anticipated Cost: $4495 USD*

Program Interest form: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/ZNcDFVGRT5

Program Website: kayapo.org/field-course

*100% of the program fee is used to support the A’Ukre community or cover program costs.

About the Program: The Mebêngôkre-Kayapó (Kayapo) live in, manage, and protect one of the world’s largest, continuous tropical forest areas. The Kayapo Field Course and Internship, started in 2004, is a partnership between the Kayapo community of A’Ukre, Biome Conservation, Pykôre Association, and the Protected Forest Association. Guided by an Indigenous, Brazilian, and North American team, the program offers an experiential introduction to Kayapo landscapes and livelihoods of inside Amazon’s highly threatened “arc of deforestation.” After traveling through the Brazilian frontier, participants spend two weeks with the A’Ukre community, immersing themselves in village life and learning about the Amazon forest at the Pinkaiti Ecological Research Station.

The program is offered by Biome Conservation (also known as the International Conservation Fund of Canada). University credits may be available through the Federal University of Para. Program directors can facilitate independent study or internship credits for participants. The program is also eligible for the Gilman Scholarship for study abroad. 

The program is one of the only ways to visit the Kayapo Territories.

11/5 – Hands-On Shark Research Opportunities – FL

Next summer marks the 15th anniversary of the Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy (CMERA) — one of the most immersive and hands-on shark and ray research programs for college students in the U.S.! For over a decade, students from universities nationwide have joined CMERA in Clearwater, Florida, to:

  • 🦈 Catch, tag, and collect data on wild sharks and rays
  • 🌊 Build real-world research and conservation skills
  • 🎓 Strengthen resumes for graduate school and careers in marine science

No prior experience is required — just curiosity and passion for the ocean.

Special 15th Anniversary Offer: Students registering for four or more weeks will receive the “Shark Field Research Methods” Certificate Course FREE with their enrollment.

  • 📅 Program Dates: May–August 2026 (18 flexible weeks)
  • 📍 Location: Clearwater, FL
  • 💰 Early Enrollment Discounts End: November 30, 2025

👉 Learn More: www.coastalmera.com

10/6 – Tropical Ecology Field School in Belize

Now entering its fourth season, this immersive, field-intensive course offers a rare opportunity to learn and apply wildlife sampling techniques in several protected areas across Belize. Students will explore the importance of wildlife corridors and gain hands-on experience surveying birds, small mammals (including bats), primates, crocodiles, cave-dwelling insects, and tropical plant species. Participants will also learn to collect, process, and analyze meteorological data from caves and bat acoustic data from cave-adjacent surface environments. Fieldwork spans a stunning array of ecosystems including tropical pine savanna, cohune palm ridges, broad-leaf forests, and upland tropical forests. Instruction will be delivered by conservation biologists, naturalists, community leaders, and cultural experts, offering students with direct access to local knowledge and global conservation perspectives. This fast-paced, physically demanding course (aka Jungle Book Camp) is designed for those eager to challenge themselves while contributing to a multi-year research project. Students will traverse rugged backcountry terrain with 30–40 lb field packs for up to 5 miles (round trip), collect and analyze ecological data, and present their findings to the Belizean community—an experience that will not only build science communication skills but will also foster cross-cultural engagement and personal growth. For those passionate about conservation and ready to step outside of their comfort zone, this course is more than an academic experience, it’s a transformative journey of high adventure.

All course assignments will be oriented toward the documentation and distillation of lectures and fieldwork. This will include data collection and analysis, use of smartphone apps for plant and animal identification, photo-documentation, and other work as appropriate.

https://edabroad.nau.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=11156

This program is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. Students not attending Northern Arizona University may also take this course for credit.
Application deadline: 16 FEB 2026

Fall 2026

10/6 – Semester by the Bay Program – AK

I am writing to ask and encourage you to share the following information with your colleagues and students about an amazing program offered at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula College, Kachemak Bay Campus.  The Semester by the Bay Program is an Alaska, place-based experiential learning program in Homer, Alaska is an ideal place to study and explore Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation Ecology.  We hope that all we offer (e.g. experiential learning, internships, incredible courses with world-renowned instructors, with access to one of the richest marine estuaries in the world) can work into your students’ academic program and goals.  Our Fall semester focuses on Marine Mammal Biology, while our spring semester focus is Conservation Ecology.

We are currently recruiting students and planning for the Fall 2026 semester.  

We will be offering a 16 credit Marine Mammal Biology Certificate program.  Classes offered are:
BIOL 325 Advanced Marine Skeletal Articulation (2CR)
BIOL 430 Marine Mammal Biology (3CR)
BIOL 432 Experiential Learning: Marine Mammal Biology (2CR)
BIOL 458 Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals (3CR)
BIOL 459 Experiential Learning: Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals (2CR)
BIOL 492A Undergraduate Seminar in Marine Mammal Conservation (1CR)
BIOL 495A Internship in the Biological Sciences (3CR)

We will also take applications for the Spring 2027 semester at this time.
Each Spring, we also offer a 17 credit transcripted certificate in Conservation Ecology.  Spring classes offered are:
BIOL 473 Conservation Biology (3CR)
BIOL 483 Exploration Ecology (2CR)
BIOL 484 Experiential Learning: Exploration Ecology Field Study (4CR)
BIOL 490 Global Climate Change (3CR)
ENGL/JRNL A278 Sharing Science Across Diverse Audiences, 2 credits (1 cr lecture, 1 cr lab)
BIOL 495A Internship in the Biological Sciences (3CR)

Each of these two separate semester packages of 16-17 credits includes an opportunity for students to both participate in an internship and conduct guided undergraduate research.  Some internships offer free or reduced housing and ALL students receive in-state tuition.

Completion of either semester’s hands-on, intensive program will earn a student a stand-alone degree called an Occupational Endorsement Certificate (see https://kpc.alaska.edu/academics/areas-of-study/occupational-endorsement-certificates/conservation-ecology-oec.cshtml  for Spring and https://kpc.alaska.edu/academics/areas-of-study/occupational-endorsement-certificates/marine-mammal-biology-oec.cshtml for Fall). We will work with students and their institutions to ensure course transferability in addition to earning these certificates
Please see our website for more information on internships and the SBB program
https://semesterbythebay.org/

Thank you very much for your time and attention to this email, and for your help in spreading the word about our programs.  Please direct students to our website at https://semesterbythebay.org/ or have them contact me directly at kjgoldman@alaska.edu if you have any questions.

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