Hiring Organization:
State University of New York, Oneonta and DANTA: Association for Conservation of the Tropics
Date Posted:
2009-10-06
Position Description:
Primate Behavior and Conservation
Winter Session (December 28th – January 17th)
Instructors/Coordinators: Kimberly Dingess, State University of New York, Oneonta, Stacy Lindshield, Iowa State University, Dr. Nicolas Toth, Indiana University, Dr. Kathy Schick, Indiana University and Dr. Jessica Westin, Dickinson College
This course is designed to provide students with field experience in primate behavior, ecology, and conservation. This intensive 21 day course will be conducted at Bocuare Reserve located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean slope. Bocuare Reserve is surrounded by La Amistad and Cahuita National Parks. This is an area rich in natural and cultural diversity. Both the mantled howler monkey and white-faced capuchin are abundant in the reserve. Students will be involved in community development projects on the Cabecar indigenous reserve, and visit the Kekoldi indigenous community for a chocolate making demonstration, medicinal plant hike, and traditional dinner.
The learning experiences for the course fall into four main categories: field exercises, seminars, lectures, and independent research. The field exercises and seminars provide instruction and experience in: (1) methods of measuring environmental variables, including assessment of resource availability, (2) methods of collecting and analyzing the behavior of free-ranging primates, (3) mapping a field site, and (4) techniques for estimating population size. Lecture topics will cover the behavior and ecology of Old and New World primates from an evolutionary perspective. Selected lecture topics include primate sociality, foraging behavior, cognition, and conservation. The course will also guide students through the process of designing and carrying out their own research projects. In addition, students will gain experience in applied primate conservation during a course trip to the Caribbean coast to work on the Talamanca Monkey Bridge Project.
Enrollment is limited to 25 students. The course is open to both credit and non-credit seeking students. Credit seeking students can receive 3-6 credit hours in Anthropology or Psychology directly through the State University of New York at Oneonta. Alternatively, independent study credit can be obtained through your home institutions.
Qualifications/Experience:
The courses are intended for undergraduates or early graduate level students who have a keen interest in tropical biology and conservation, but have little or no experience of working in a tropical environment.
Term of Appointment:
December 28, 2009 - January 18, 2010
Application Deadline:
December 1, 2009
Contact Information:
Kimberly Dingess
P.O. Box 316
Davenport, NY 13820
USA
Telephone Number:
607-278-9619
Website:
http://www.danta.info
E-mail Address:
kdingess@danta.info