Program Duration

Fall Semester: Mid-September – Mid-December
Spring: Early February – Early June
Summer: Session I Early June – Early July; Session II Mid-July – Mid-August

Program Description

Offered through the School for Field Studies (SFS), the program in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is co-sponsored by UW-Madison. The program takes place at the Center for Marine Resource Management Studies located on Turks & Caicos Island. The waters surrounding TCI are abundant with marine life and are considered to be among the world's top ten diving locations.

Students learn professional field research techniques to identify marine organisms and habitats, and learn about marine ecology and coastal ecosystems. Student field research helps provide the local government, community, and tourism developers with advice to sustain the economic, societal, and ecological stability of South Caicos and its island community.

This program is designed for all students who like to learn in an interdisciplinary and experiential environment, although it may be most appropriate for students with biology or ecology-related majors. Highlights of the program include field research, participation in field trips, community service trips, and the opportunity to gain research experience through an independent project.

Academics

SFS’s interdisciplinary, experiential approach to education is designed to train students to learn by doing. As students engage in high-quality field research, students begin to understand the challenges of confronting environmental issues. Students learn the value of experiencing another culture, of collaborating with their fellow students and with the local community to develop workable solutions. Students are also given the rare opportunity to work side by side with an international research team and learn state-of-the-art field research skills. The program combines classroom-based academics with field study. Students should expect an academically intensive experience and be willing to learn in a variety of settings.

Each field station is staffed by a Center Director and two to three full-time, resident faculty. Most of the SFS faculty are native to the country/region in which they teach.

Semester students are registered in four academic courses: Tropical Marine Ecology (four credits), Principles of Resource Management (four credits), Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values (four credits), and Directed Research (four credits).

Summer students register for Marine Protected Areas: Management Techniques and Policies (four credits).

Housing

The Center for Marine Resource Studies, located just steps from the SFS ocean laboratory, is adjacent to Cockburn Harbour, a town of about 1,100 residents. The main facility has a dining area, kitchen, classroom, library/computer room, and a veranda. Students share living quarters in two residence wings. Meals are provided for the duration of the program. The facility is fully equipped for marine operations with access to docks, motor boats, a commercial compressor, and plenty of tanks and weights for SCUBA diving and snorkeling.

Excursions and Activities

Students participate in a pre-departure orientation at UW-Madison as well as an on-site orientation upon arrival in country. The orientations are designed to introduce students to the program and prepare them for living abroad.

As part of the program, students perform field research and species identification exercises through SCUBA and snorkeling. Other activities include campling and hiking. Past field trips have included: visual assessment of queen conch and coral reef fish populations; fish, coral, sea grass, and mangrove identification; and site tours from local tourism developers. In addition, a variety of cultural events and activities are available to students.