• The 2001 Queensland page
  • Queensland Picture Postcard Pages
• The 1996 Queensland page
• University of Queensland, Brisbane

The program in Queensland, Australia is offered with a focus on biology and mathematics. The program is based at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, but a considerable amount of time is spent in the field visiting a variety of marine and forest habitats. Three courses are offered: Australian Plants and Animals, Statistics and Data Analysis (students can also be registered for Advanced Biostatistics), and Contemporary Australian Society and Culture. At times the statistics and the biology courses are totally integrated with no sharp divisions between them, especially when field work is undertaken.

PROGRAM DATES
August 16 to November 4, 2001

ACCOMMODATIONS
Students are placed in homestays while in Brisbane and in a variety of accommodation types while in the field -- hotels, research centers, hostels, etc.

EXCURSIONS
The field trips include: Stradbrok Island; Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef; eucalypt forest; arid inland site; rainforest at Lamington National Park; and Carnarvon Gorge. There is ample time for individual travel after the end of the program and there are opportunities for students to travel on several of the weekends to nearby locations and cities.

ELIGIBILITY
The program is open to all majors, but applicants are expected to have taken: Biology 110 or Bidis. 219; Biology 212 or any statistics course or Math 130 and 131. COSTS Costs for the program is equivalent to the normal on-campus tuition, $500 administrative fee, plus room and board charges for the semester ($16,841) This program cost covers all room and board fees, all tuition charges, and all course related travel in Australia. Not covered are roundtrip airfare, individual travel and personal items estimated at $3,000.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Biology: The Terrestrial Ecology of Australia This program examines the heritage of the terrestrial flora and fauna of Australia, and assumes a basic familiarity with the biology and ecology of terrestrial systems. The origins and uniqueness of Australia's flora and fauna will be discussed in light of continental drift, past and present Australian environments. The program combines lectures and field-based tuition with essays and research reports to develop knowledge of Australia's unique terrestrial environments and to provide the skills with which to investigate them.

Biology: The Marine Ecology of Australia This program assumes some familiarity with biological and ecological principles, sampling techniques, sampling and experimental design and statistics. The program draws together background knowledge of Australian marine systems and maritime resources with a variety of concepts and exercises in marine biology. It combines classroom lectures and field-based learning with essays and research reports to provide an understanding of tropical marine biology and ecology.

Bidis: Australian Culture, Society, and Contemporary Issues No prior knowledge is expected but an attention to news and current affairs that relate to Australia in local print and electronic media would be advantages. The lecturers will be drawn from a variety of disciplines and represent a range of viewpoints. We expect to utilize staff from a variety of departments and programs at the University of Queensland and other resource people. Topics may include introductions to: Aboriginal Society and Culture; European Impact on the Environment; Sustainable Agriculture and Development; the Australian Political System; the Economy of Australia, health care, educational systems, or welfare; nuclear weapons in the South Pacific.

Env: Issues of Environmental Management and Conservation Topics might include biodiversity, land conversion, coastal development, fire ecology, use of biological indicator species, and Australia's National Park system. Much of the lecture work for the course might be done during the program's preparation period in August before department with additional lectures on the Moreton Bay Catchment in Australia provided by the School of Marine Science.