This Program is open to students majoring in any academic discipline.   Self-motivation, and inquisitive attitude, 4 semesters of Spanish language, and 2.75 G.P.A. are the basic requirements to apply to this Program (Summer Programs have different requirements).  An average of eight different courses in biology, environmental sciences, anthropology, Latin American culture, and Spanish language are offered every semester.  Occasionally, courses in other disciplines are offered, too.    Students are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 4 courses per semester, and two courses in the Summer.

    Most of the courses offered combine field work and theory and are planned to both introduce novice students into the different field work techniques and to allow advanced students gain additional experience in field research in the tropics.  One course in the biological sciences and one in anthropology are designed to be research classes in which all enrolled students participate in the same original research topic but are assigned different tasks, according to their level of expertise, and their particular interests.  All students, under the guidance of the professor, will write a single publishable paper/article.  Other courses do have a field work component, but students in those classes are not expected to write publishable material.  Overall, this is a Program for dedicated students highly interested in field work.

    The Program is located in Golfito, Costa Rica.    As an important component of this Program, all participant students are housed with local families.  All homes are at a walking distance from the university centre.  Students eat their meals with their families, and have a room for herself/himself. Students will be asked to fill out a housing questionnaire, to submit with the application, in order to look for the best home/student match.

 Summer Programs at Tropical Studies are biology oriented and taught in English. Students can participate in a main research project in Biology and/or Anthropology.  Students may also be able to do their own independent research under the supervision of a professor in the field.