<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA),<\/a> a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is currently accepting applications for its summer Global Agroecology Pathways Program (GAPP) in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This three-week exchange (May 31\u2013June 19, 2026) is designed for students, early-career professionals, and community leaders interested in agroecology, sustainable food systems, and rural livelihoods. The program centers on applied, place-based learning at the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) in Tochigi, a training center with over four decades of experience in organic and regenerative agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants will engage in hands-on training in practices such as forest stewardship, rice transplanting in paddy systems, and Bokashi composting. The program emphasizes agroecological principles including soil health, nutrient cycling, and community-based food systems, while fostering cross-cultural knowledge exchange among participants from diverse agricultural and ecological contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through immersive, collaborative learning, participants will deepen their understanding of regenerative farming systems and their social-ecological dimensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more here!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n The Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society, in cooperation with Paul Smith\u2019s College, will be hosting our 14th annual 2-week Wildlife Field Course at Paul Smith\u2019s College, New York, May 17-30, 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Please visit the course website for details and application materials: https:\/\/tws-northeast.org\/about\/student-field-course\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The course fee is $1300 and includes 3 undergraduate or graduate credits through Paul Smith\u2019s 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. 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<\/a>) 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enrollment is capped at 20 students and we still have some openings, disregard the March 15 deposit deadline on the registration form. 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n Glacier Change Research Mission (Alaska) | July 1\u2013July 12<\/strong> More info: [Field Course Webpage]<\/a> | [Download Flyer]<\/a> | [Sample Syllabus]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n Ecosystem Field Studies www.ecofs.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Caribbean Ecosystem Field Studies<\/u><\/strong> Colorado Ecosystem Field Studies<\/u> WILDLIFE MOLECULAR PARASITOLOGY \u2014 FROM TAXONOMY TO DNA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n LOCATION: La Selva Biological Station, Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), Costa Rica. \u2192 Course instructors: https:\/\/www.kartzinellab.com\/news\/helmcamp-2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n HELMCAMP 2026 is an intensive, two-week field course that integrates classical wildlife parasitology with modern molecular and genomic techniques. Participants will learn the full workflow\u2014from ethical animal capture and parasite collection through morphological identification, DNA extraction, PCR, metabarcoding, and bioinformatic analysis\u2014aimed at generating robust, verifiable data for biodiversity, epidemiology, parasite ecology, and conservation applications. A key innovation is training in portable Nanopore sequencing, enabling real-time DNA sequencing and parasite identification under field conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DESIGNED FOR: Advanced undergraduate and graduate students, early-career researchers, wildlife veterinarians, and conservation biologists working in biology, veterinary medicine, ecology, taxonomy, parasitology, public health, zoology, and related fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n COURSE SCHEDULE \/ STRUCTURE: The course combines short lectures and discussions with hands-on field and laboratory activities. Core activities include wildlife capture\/handling, field necropsy procedures, parasite recovery and identification, Nanopore-based DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics. Emphasis is placed on integrating morphological and molecular results to address ecological and evolutionary questions in real-world field settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n METHODS \/ TECHNICAL SKILLS COVERED (EXAMPLES)<\/p>\n\n\n\n COURSE LENGTH: Two weeks: May 23 \u2013 June 6, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n TUITION \/ TRAVEL: Tuition: $3450 USD. The tuition includes transcript issuing, course materials, meals and lodging from lunch on May 23 through breakfast on June 4. Discounts may be available to students from Latin America.<\/strong> Transportation: Transportation to and from La Selva Biological Station is provided. The group transfer will depart from OTS Headquarters in San Jos\u00e9.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n Applications are now open for Summer 2026 field-based ecology and conservation courses in South Africa with the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS). These immersive, research-driven programs are designed for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and early-career professionals seeking rigorous field experience in globally significant ecosystems. Courses are taught by experienced faculty and practitioners and emphasize hands-on data collection, analytical skills, interdisciplinary thinking, and real-world conservation challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Summer 2026 South Africa Course Offerings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marine Ecology and Conservation<\/strong> Veterinary Field Practicum in South Africa (Field Training in Veterinary Disease Management)<\/strong> Fire, Elephants, and Biodiversity<\/strong> Applied Bioacoustics for Conservation: Theory and Practice<\/strong> Across courses, participants engage directly with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Africa\u2019s diverse savanna and coastal systems provide a powerful living laboratory for understanding ecological processes and conservation solutions in practice.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n Applications are now open for Summer 2026 courses at Friday Harbor Labs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Summer at Friday Harbor Labs in a nutshell (or snail shell \ud83d\udc1a):<\/p>\n\n\n\n See linked course descriptions below for Summer A and Summer B terms for more details on specific courses offered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Summer A Term<\/a> (June 14 – July 17):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Summer B Term<\/a> (July 19 – August 21):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact Maia Kreis fhlstudents@uw.edu<\/a> with questions!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n Travel courses through ITEC (Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation), based in Gainesville, FL<\/p>\n\n\n\n SUMMER FIELD COURSE (July 15 – Aug. 9, 2026) – TROPICAL BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n SUMMER FIELD COURSE (July 15-August 9, 2026) – TROPICAL RAINFOREST AND CANOPY ECOLOGY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n COURSE LOCATION: Bocas del Toro Biological Station, Boca del Drago, Isla Colon, Republic of Panama. The biological station is located on a hill facing Almirante Bay and Volcan Baru on the mainland. Coral reef and lowland tropical rainforest ecosystems are immediately accessible from the field station. This juxtaposition of the two most biologically-diverse ecosystems along with Panama’s rich cultural diversity provides tremendous opportunities for education and research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Visit www.itec-edu.org<\/a> for details.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n The Institute for Field Research (IFR), in partnership with MareTerra, is offering a two-week field course on Dolphin Ecology & Marine Conservation<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Course highlights include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More info & apply: [Field Course Webpage<\/a>] [Flyer<\/a>] [Request Info<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n For questions, contact us at info@ifrglobal.org<\/a>. Thank you for sharing!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n Applications are now open for the Sustainable Agriculture & Biodiversity Field Course<\/a> 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!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Course overview: <\/strong> 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Field course details:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key deadlines:<\/strong> The priority application deadline is February 1 with rolling admissions thereafter until the course is filled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n The BDRI offers advanced professional training in marine mammal science, positioning participants as research assistants within structured, high-level research projects focused on behavioral ecology of bottlenose dolphins, with parallel projects on other cetacean species (late-season emphasis on multi-species sightings: common dolphins, fin whales, blue whales, porpoises, orcas, pilot whales), seabirds, and Eurasian otters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This program provides rigorous mentorship from a dedicated international faculty of 6 instructors (MSc,PhD postdocs\/seniors from Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal), with a maximum of 16 participants. Over the last 20 years, more than 1,000 students have participated, producing over 450 MSc\/BSc theses and 5 PhDs in the last 10 years, with numerous alumni advancing to leading roles at research centers, NGOs, and universities through hands-on skill development and independent thesis work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only late-season positions (August\u2013November 2026) remain available, filled on a first-come, first-served basis\u2014apply immediately. These slots coincide with peak biodiversity, featuring multiple cetacean sightings drawn to Galicia’s rich coastal waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location: Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI). O Grove, Galicia, NW Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Schedule: Full-time: 5 days\/week (Monday\u2013Friday), typically 9:30\u201316:00 lab-based + 1\u20133 weather-dependent field days (up to 8 hours). Rotations include photo-ID, GIS, bioacoustics, otter diet analysis, skin marks analysis, behavioural ecology, and statistical modelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Program Structure Participant Profile: 18+ years, students\/recent graduates in biology, marine science, or related fields. Logistics and Fees: Self-funded program covers full mentorship, facilities (lab\/boat), insurances, shared O Grove accommodation with other participants, utilities. Participants cover travel\/meals; university funding encouraged. Details at www.thebdri.com\/internships.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Application: I am the lead instructor for Wildlands Studies’ Thailand Elephant Program, a 6-week field course examining human-elephant coexistence, Asian elephant ecology, and conservation in working landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Program details:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students conduct wildlife observation and habitat assessment, work alongside mahouts at an ethical sanctuary, and engage with farming communities navigating crop damage and coexistence strategies. The program is a genuinely interdisciplinary course taught through a social-ecological systems approach. Course content spans ecology, biology, conservation science, climate science, and environmental justice (among many others). All backgrounds and experience levels are welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Details and application: https:\/\/www.wildlandsstudies.com\/thailand-elephant<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Happy to answer questions about curriculum, fieldwork, or student fit. Thank you! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tyler Nuckols, PhD Candidate, Environmental Studies, University of Colorado Boulder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n There are spots still available in the Pelagic Ecosystem Function Apprenticeship this Autumn quarter at Friday Harbor Labs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dates: 29 September – 12 December<\/p>\n\n\n\n Target Audience: undergraduate, post baccalaureates, and graduate students<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Full Course Description: https:\/\/fhl.uw.edu\/courses\/course-descriptions\/course\/pelagic-ecosystem-function-of-the-san-juan-archipelago-2026\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n4\/9 – Two-week wildlife field techniques course (May 17-30) in the Adirondacks – NY<\/summary>
3\/25 – Glacier Change research course – AK<\/summary>
Students will join an interdisciplinary team studying glacier retreat and landscape change along Alaska\u2019s remote south coast. After a one-week online module, they will spend two weeks aboard a research vessel visiting over 50 glaciers, relocating historic photo stations, collecting repeat photography, and integrating GPS, maps, and satellite data to document glacier dynamics. Their work contributes to long-term datasets archived with the National Snow and Ice Data Center and Parks Service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3\/18 – 3-CREDIT ECOLOGY FIELD COURSES – CARIBBEAN or COLORADO<\/summary>
\n
ENST 391- for 3 undergraduate semester transfer credits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
* Study, SCUBA, & Snorkel on the Caribbean coast of Mexico *<\/em>
May 20- June 9, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>* Study, camp, & hike in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado *<\/em>
June 19 – July 7 or July 17- August 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n3\/10 – Wildlife Parasitology Field Course (May 23 \u2013 June 6) – Costa Rica<\/summary>
\u2192 Apply: https:\/\/tropicalstudies.org\/course\/wildlife-molecular-parasitology-taxonomy-to-dna\/
<\/a>
INSTRUCTORS<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
3\/4 – Field Courses in South Africa \u2013 Applications Open (OTS)<\/summary>
Coastal and marine systems, biodiversity assessment, and conservation strategies
https:\/\/tropicalstudies.org\/course\/marine_ecology\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wildlife health, disease ecology, One Health frameworks, and applied diagnostics in field settings
https:\/\/tropicalstudies.org\/course\/veterinary-field-practicum-in-south-africa\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Savanna ecology, disturbance dynamics, large herbivore impacts, and landscape-scale conservation
https:\/\/tropicalstudies.org\/course\/fire-elephants-and-biodiversity\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acoustic monitoring, soundscape ecology, quantitative analysis, and conservation applications
https:\/\/tropicalstudies.org\/course\/applied-bioacoustics\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
2\/11 – Marine Science Classes at Friday Harbor Laboratories – WA<\/summary>
\n
\n
\n
\n
2\/11 – Tropical Ecology Courses – Panama<\/summary>
1\/29 – Dolphin Ecology and Marine Conservation Field Course – Sardinia, Italy<\/summary>
\n
1\/9 – Sustainable Agriculture in Greek Olive Groves<\/summary>
\n
\n
Center for Wildlife Studies courses<\/summary>
Fall 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5\/15 – Cetacean Research Training Positions \u2013 BDRI, Spain<\/summary>
Orientation: Protocols, skills assessment, project integration.
Progressive training: Supervised tasks to autonomous research.
Deliverables: Final report, team presentation, potential co-authorship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strong research motivation, full-time flexibility, international mindset (English working language).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Review Policies & Guidelines: www.thebdri.com\/internships.html<\/a>.
– Email internship@thebdri.com for data availability and instructions.
– Late-season spots only\u2014positions close when filled.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n4\/29 – Field Program for Undergraduates: Thailand Elephant Conservation<\/summary>
\n
4\/21 – Apprenticeship: Pelagic Ecosystem Function – WA<\/summary>
\n