Environmental Science in Australia
The flora, fauna, ecological habitats, human history and geology of Australia offer opportunities for study that are unique on our planet for their diversity. This program starts in Melbourne during heir late summer and moves northward into the warmer latitudes during the semester as their autumn season progresses. The program is on the move throughout the semester with stays ranging from two days to two weeks in a wide variety of places. Accommodations include university dormatories, hotels/motels, field stations and tent camping up to five days at two remote sites. All travel is in the eastern half of the country where the greatest diversity of natural habitats and human activity occur.
The contrasting countryside ranges from white sandy beaches to dry bush inland to the tropical rainforests. The primitive mammalian fauna, over 600 species of Eucalyptus and the Great Barrier Reef provide outstanding examples of how biological organisms have adapted to this isolated continent and its seacoast.
The human history is no less fascinating. The aboriginal Australians have inhabited the countryside for the past 60,000 – 100,000 years and represent the oldest continuous culture still surviving in the world today. Students learn how their unique adaptations to a mostly harsh environment show remarkable innovation. They also study how the recent European invasion has significantly altered their lifestyle as well as affecting many environmental parameters. Australia, like all other continents on our planet, has serious environmental policy issues to face.
This site covers all the information you will need to know about the Environmental Science in Australia Program. It includes the official information from the booklet provided by the Office for International and Off-Campus Studies and a host of photographs from previous trips.
Photos – An organized section of photographs taken on previous trips.
Info – The nuts and bolts of the Australia program. Includes information about finances, credits, destinations, and more.
https://www.stolaf.edu/international/programs/australia.html