Faculty Led Biology

Biology Abroad

UT Tyler Faculty-Led Programs

Program Overview

Gain hands-on experience through field activities, mini-research projects, and workshops in Ecuador's biodiverse forests. Highlights include birdwatching, studying reptiles, habitat restoration, and zip-lining through canopies. Learn from top conservation experts and build your professional network in this immersive program.

Academics

Students participating in this program will be enrolled in BIOL 3350 during the spring semester. The course does have prerequisites of General Biology 1 and 2. If you have not completed both courses by the time of spring enrollment for BIOL 3350, students may still be able to receive approval to join the class by Dr. Banta. Students who have already completed BIOL 3350 and still wish to join may be able to receive credit for a different course. The tuition and fees associated with the course are not included in the program fee.

Course Syllabus:

During the spring semester, students will have:

online lecture videos and discussion boards every week.
The work will be mostly self paced with no TEAMS/ZOOM calls
Participants will receive an 'incomplete' at the end of the semester

When abroad in May:

Students will participate in hands on conservation activities and lessons
Students will receive journal prompts to submit
Students will receive a topic to present on to the class

Final letter grades for the spring semester will be submitted when students return in May.

Program Cost

The program cost is $3,485.*

Includes:

Accommodations

Local Transportation

Cultural excursions

Meals

Health Insurance

Does not include:

Round-trip airfare

Tuition & Fees

Personal expenses

*Fees are subject to change

Housing & Meals

Housing

Housing in centrally located hotel per the program itinerary.

Meals

The program is inclusive of all meals.

Transportation

In-country transportation is included in the program fee, i.e. group airport pick-up & drop-off and round-trip transportation for all site visits and excursions on the program itinerary.

International round-trip airfare is not included in the program fee. Group flight purchasing for participants can be arranged by the Office of International Programs.

Entry Requirements

Passport

All international travel requires a valid passport. The passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. In addition, your passport must have at least six months’ remaining validity on your passport from the date of your planned return. If you do not have a valid passport, your study abroad advisor will contact you to schedule an appointment.

Visa

Utilize the U.S. State Department's Learn About Your Destination search tool to research your destination country. On the nation's information webpage, you will discover details about entry, exit, and visa prerequisites.

Vaccinations

None required

Faculty Leader

Dr. Josh Banta

Professor

Department of Biology

jbanta@uttyler.edu

Important Dates

Application Deadline	December 1st
UT Tyler Scholarship Deadline	December 15th
Program Fee Due Date	TBA
Program Dates	May 14th - 24th 2025

What's Next?

Study Abroad Application

Scholarship Application

UT Tyler Passport