An opportunity to study: Ball State University – Department of Biology offers the international field course TROPICAL FOREST ECOLOGY & MARINE BIOLOGY OF COSTA RICA May 7-18, 2019 An opportunity to study: Tropical Forest Ecology & Biodiversity, Cultures of Costa Rica, Sustainable Resource Use/Ecotourism Contact Dr. Tim Carter, 765-285-8842; tccarter@bsu.edu or Dr. Mark Pyron, 765-285-8852; mpyron@bsu.edu Cost: $3750 (Resident Undergraduate - 15 students) includes airfare, lodging, all meals, all transportation and tuition (3 credits BIO 420/520)

Day 1: May 7 Arrival at SJO Airport Transportation to Sarapiqui (2 hours) Visit Volcan Poas National Park; lunch on the way. Stop by café with hummingbird feeders for coffee/refreshments Arrive at Sarapiqui. Dinner at Tirimbina Field Station Overnight at Tirimbina Field Station

Day 2: May 8 Early morning birding. Breakfast. Hike through Tirimbina forest. Lunch in the forest Forest exploration Dinner at Tirimbina Field Station. Bat netting!!

Day 3: May 9 Breakfast Discussion: unique features of local ecosystems Lunch White water rafting Overnight and Dinner at Tirimbina Field Station Hike to frog pond

Day 4: May 10 Early morning birding. Breakfast. Depart to La Fortuna Visit Arenal Observatory. Time to walk and explore. Lunch at Observatory. Check in at Kokoro Hotel. Visit Hotsprings Paradise. Dinner at Hot Springs. Overnight at Kokoro Hotel

Day 5: May 11 Breakfast at Kokoro. Visit Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge. Boat trip at Río Frío. Lunch at Los Chiles town, on border with Nicaragua. Return to Hotel. Dinner at La Fortuna town, time to walk and explore. Overnight at Kokoro Hotel

Day 6: May 12 Breakfast at Kokoro. Chocolate Tour Depart to Monteverde. Lunch on the way Check in at Monteverde Cloud Forest Field Station. Time to explore the hummingbird garden Night hike at Children Eternal Rainforest. Dinner at Pizzería Tramonti, Monteverde.

Day 7: May 13 Early birding at Cloud Forest Breakfast at Monteverde. Guided walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Lunch at La Floresta (Monteverde Field Station) Visit Bat Jungle. Time for shopping and explore Santa Elena town Dinner at Pizzeria Tramonti, Monteverde. Overnight at Reserva Biologica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde.

Day 8: May 14 Breakfast at Monteverde Transfer to Puntarenas, ferry across Nicoya Gulf to Paquera on Nicoya Peninsula, to Curú Check in Curú. Introduction to site Dinner at Curú Bioluminescent bay experience Overnight at Curú

Day 9: May 15 Breakfast at Curú Tour dry forest – observe monkeys Lunch at Curú Explore; dinner at Curú Bat mistnetting Overnight at Curú

Day 10: May 16 Birding. Breakfast at Curú Snorkel tip to Tortuga Island Lunch at Curú Beach time Explore Mangroves Dinner at Marisquería Las Vegas in Paquera Overnight at Curú

Day 11: May 17 Birding at Curú Breakfast at Curú Travel to Paquera to take the 9:00 am Ferry Lunch at Tárcoles, Restaurante El Jardín Boat Trip at Tárcoles River Continue to San José. Check in at Casa Cielo Dinner and overnight at Casa Cielo

Day 12: May 18 Depart San Jose to USA

An opportunity to study: Ball State University – Department of Biology offers the international field course TROPICAL FOREST ECOLOGY & MARINE BIOLOGY OF COSTA RICA May 7-18, 2019 An opportunity to study: Tropical Forest Ecology & Biodiversity, Cultures of Costa Rica, Sustainable Resource Use/Ecotourism Contact Dr. Tim Carter, 765-285-8842; tccarter@bsu.edu or Dr. Mark Pyron, 765-285-8852; mpyron@bsu.edu Cost: $3750 (Resident Undergraduate - 15 students) includes airfare, lodging, all meals, all transportation and tuition (3 credits BIO 420/520)

But, I am a Senior and plan to graduate in Spring… Seniors can still take this course. There are 3 possible ways… You can officially delay graduation till August. You can still walk in the May Graduation ceremony with your friends, but would wait till after Cost Rica to officially graduate and get your diploma. You graduate in May like normal and take Costa Rica Course as a bonus class (continuing education). You can apply to the BSU Graduate School and take it as a graduate student and they use it as transfer credits to another graduate program. Please come talk with us and we can help talk you through the choices.

Some extra pictures from BSU Costa Rica trips Please note, all pictures in this presentation were taken during past BSU trips to Costa Rica!

Carlos – our guide and fearless leader!