·
Let prominent biologists guide you through primeval
rain forests.
·
Sift through ruins of ancient cities with
internationally renowned archaeologists.
·
Follow herds of wild Asian elephants. Snorkel in
beautiful coral reefs.
·
Sit with Buddhist monks. Make an offering at the
·
Visit rural villages. Experience healing ceremonies,
devil dancing, exorcism, and soothsaying.
This is the official web site for Biology 190—Field Studies
in Biology: The Biological and Cultural Ecology of Sri Lanka-- a course that
will be offered in January 2007 through
The course is open to any student at any college or university. Faculty members are also encouraged to come as observers or participants. The official deadline to sign up is October 31. Visit http://www.sjsu.edu/studyabroad for applications and additional information, call (408) 924-5931.
The plan is to depart January 1, 2007 and return January 24. These dates are tentative as they depend on availability of flights.
The cost of the trip is estimated to be $3600. This includes airfare, room, board, transportation, tuition, and other fees. The actual cost could vary slightly depending on airfares and the number of participants. (Some costs are shared.)
Lectures and field trips will be presented by internationally renowned zoologists, botanists, geologists, archaeologists, and Buddhist Scholars from the prestigious Post Graduate Institute of Science (PGIS) and Peradeniya University . We plan to visit Sinharaja Rain Forest , the coral reefs near Hikkadua, gem mining pits, tea factories, rubber and coconut plantations, rural villages, and, of course, the major religious and archaeological sites, including the Temple of the Tooth , Anuradhapura (the ancient temple city), Sigiriya (the 5th century rock fortress), and Dambulla (the ancient complex of cave temples).
This is an ideal course for students interested in tropical ecology and conservation. There will also be a substantial cultural component to the program that may be of interest to students in Anthropology or Religious Studies. Ideally, students should be either graduate students or advanced undergraduate students with some background in Biology.
Students who complete the program will receive 3 units of academic credit for Biology 190 (Biological and Cultural Ecology of Sri Lanka). Enrollment will be limited to fifteen students.
This will be the second time this course has been taught. Take a look at the pictures and descriptions of this year's trip.
The Biological and Cultural Ecology of Sri Lanka, January 2, 2006 – January 23, 2006
If
Underlying
For more information on
Students will be issued free tourist visas good for one month when they arrive. English is spoken in all of the restaurants, universities, and shops. Even the taxi drivers know enough English to get you where you want to go.
The tsunami of December 26, 2005 destroyed many coastal
areas in
Visit http://www.sjsu.edu/studyabroad for applications and additional information, or call (408) 924-5931. For questions, call Jon Pearce at (408) 924-5065, visit him during his office hours (MW 1:30 – 2:00 in 213 MacQuarrie Hall, or send him an email at jonpearce@myway.com.
Our tentative travel itinerary
Our tentative itinerary in Sri Lanka
What to Bring (updated 12/6)
About keeping a journal (a course requirement!)
Safety (health, etc. read this)
Photos
(See September, October, November, December, Sri Lanka 2004, and Sri Lanka 2005
albums for photos of
Fulbright Orientation Handbook for Sri Lanka (added 11/24)
References (updated 11/24)