Study Abroad Programs for Biology
The Au Sable Institute:
In addition to Off Campus programs within the continental United States, the Au Sable Institute offers international programs in Costa Rica and India. Please see the detailed description of the Au Sable Institute in “Off Campus Programs” listed below.
Creation Care Study Program:
Eastern University was one of the founding schools of the Creation Care Study Program (CCSP), offering study abroad programs during the Fall or Spring semesters in Belize (Central America) and New Zealand. Courses are built around themes of environmental sustainability. The work fulfills core requirements in Humanities and Social Sciences for science majors; and provides an elective 4 credit lab course in Tropical Biology. The CCSP in Belize also offers internships with hospitals, public health programs, wildlife research, agricultural experiment stations and more.
Study Abroad Programs combined with Spanish and Biology
Universidad de las Americas:
The Universidad de las Americas (UDLAP) in Puebla, Mexico is one of the best universities in Latin America for laboratory biology, chemistry and medicine. Students with a Spanish proficiency equivalent to two years of college Spanish or more can study abroad at UDLAP. They will take one course in advanced Spanish composition and grammar, based on their Spanish aptitude. All other courses are taught in Spanish. Foreign students comprise more than 10% of the student body, due to the strong reputation of UDLAP. The majority of these students come from the European Union, Japan and South Korea, as well as many other countries.
Quetzal Education and Research Center:
Students interested in ecology and tropical biology can study abroad in the Quetzal Education and Research Center (QERC) in Costa Rica during Spring semesters. The focus on field biology makes QERC stand out among study-abroad programs. Students earn 8-10 credit hours in Biology based on required courses in Tropical Ecology and Field Research, and an elective course in Tropical Medicine. Additional coursework in Biblical Theology and Global Stewardship, Latin American Language, and History & Culture are also required. While minimal Spanish fluency is not required, Spanish language instruction is provided, as few people near QERC speak English. Motivated students often progress enough in their Spanish aptitude to earn additional credits at semester’s end by taking Spanish competency exams.
Latin American Studies Program:
The Latin American Studies Program (LASP) in Costa Rica offers a Tropical Ecology track during Spring semesters. This combines 6 credits of field biology with greater depth in Spanish instruction and Latin American cultural studies. Minimal Spanish fluency, equivalent to 1 year of college Spanish, is required. The QERC and LASP science students travel together during the latter part of the semester, visiting representative tropical ecosystems across Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and staying with rural families in Nicaragua.
Off Campus Programs for Biology
The Au Sable Institute:
The Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies (ASI) is a Christian, educational institution that serves college students with courses and research experiences in field ecology and environmental stewardship. High quality field courses are offered in the May term, and Summer I and II sessions, through a partnership of 60 Christian colleges and universities. Courses take place in northern Michigan, and Whidbey Island in Puget Sound. Eastern was a founding school: Au Sable courses are credited through Eastern.
Sample courses: Aquatic Biology, Alpine Ecology, Marine Biology (in the Pacific), Marine Mammals, Conservation Biology, Tropical Agriculture and Missions, Ecological Agriculture, International Development and Environmental Sustainability, Molecular Tools for the Field Biologist, Watersheds in Global Development, Wildlife Ecology.