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Class status:	1st Year, 2nd Year, 3rd Year, 4th+ Year	Type of program:	Field Study, Specialized courses for study abroad students
Academic area:	Animal Sciences, Environmental Studies, Sciences	Language of instruction:	English
Required GPA:	2.5

The Program

The School for Field Studies Center for Coastal Studies is exploring ways to conserve the ecological health of Bahía Magdalena and improve the management of its exploited marine resources. They're also exploring ways to sustain the socio-economic stability of the local community. Their research monitors marine resources, water quality and the protection and conservation of the gray whale as well as the highly threatened green sea turtle. Their goal is to provide sound stock management and species conservation advice to governmental regulators and the local community.

The Academics

Summer students are registered in one academic courses accredited through Boston University: Preserving Coastal Diversity and Bay Resources (4 credits)

This course exposes students to the relationship between the decline in biodiversity and the health of the Magdalena Bay ecosystem. In this course, we will identify the most critically threatened areas in Bahía Magdalena as the essential first step in designing a strategy for protecting these resources. Lectures and field exercises will cover topics such as integrated coastal zone management, sea turtle protection, ecological economics, Mexican history and society, coastal ecology and fisheries management. The research component of the course will concentrate on the threatened green turtle, which uses Bahía Magdalena for both breeding and feeding habitat. Follow this link to learn more about Getting Academic Credit.

The Experience

This program is oriented toward helping the community conserve its natural resources and develop sustainably.  Therefore, students spend significant time working within the local community. In addition to working with local clients and interviewing community leaders, there are many opportunities to become involved in community social activities and service projects.

The Center for Coastal Studies looks out over beautiful Bahía Magdalena and lies on the outskirts of the fishing community of Puerto San Carlos on the west coast of the Baja peninsula. Bahía Magdalena stretches for 124 miles along the coast with spectacular sunsets draping the mountains of the off-shore islands in orange and purple shadows. Students share 4-person cabins. Additional facilities include a computer room, library, classroom, laboratory, kitchen, dining and study areas and a bath/shower house serviced by our artificial wetland waste water treatment system.