Overview
Why study climate change in Patagonia?
Experience the unique environments and biodiversity of Southern Patagonia and Antarctica and examine the conservation challenges posed by the impacts of climate change and human behavior. From your home base in Ushuaia, the southern-most city in the world, you’ll discover the economic and environmental importance of this region. Learn how to apply scientific research tools and methods as you examine how climate change affects the region’s marine biodiversity.
Through site visits to Tierra del Fuego National Park, the Beagle Channel, and Puerto Williams, you’ll see Southern Patagonia’s biodiversity, ecology, and conservation issues firsthand. You will also learn about scientific research methods and environmental monitoring systems as well as the complexities of managing shared natural resources.
Later, you’ll explore the last pristine region of the world on a 10-day expedition of the Antarctic Peninsula with guided landings. You’ll work with scientists and researchers to consider the influence of sea ice and glaciers in the Antarctic biota and learn how that relates to climate regulation.
Highlights
- Discover Southern Patagonia’s and Antarctica’s environmental characteristics.
- Examine the region’s unique biodiversity, ecology, and conservation issues.
- Explore the world’s last pristine region on an Antarctic Peninsula expedition.
- Apply scientific tools and methods to climate change and biodiversity research.
Prerequisites
Previous college-level coursework and/or significant preparation in environmental studies, ecology, biology, or related fields, as assessed by SIT. Three recent semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent and the ability to follow coursework in Spanish, as assessed by SIT.