Iceland Summer Program in Arctic Biology and Geology

Campus Contact: Off-Campus Programs (offered as a six-week program every summer)

Also See: Denmark's International Study Program

Through the Colleges' affiliation with Denmark's International Studies Program (DIS) in Copenhagen, HWS offers an intensive summer program in Iceland, either Track A: Arctic Biology, or Track B: the Geology of Iceland. Students choose one of these two tracks and for six weeks examine life under the extreme conditions of the cold and heat of a arctic, volcanic country or the unique geology of Iceland with its combination of "fire and ice". Iceland, the second largest island in Europe, is a country of dramatic and stunning natural beauty situated close to the Arctic Circle, whose high geographical latitude dictates its extreme climatic and light conditions. There is continuous daylight in summer. Reykjavik, the world's most northerly capital and home to the program is a modern city beautifully situated on a bay, surrounded by snow-spotted mountains. It has a rich variety of restaurants, discos, museums, galleries and theaters. About 100,000 of Iceland's 260,000 inhabitants live in Reykjavik.

PROGRAM DATES
June 9 to August 5, 2001

ACCOMMODATIONS
Students are housed in furnished rooms generally in private homes in Reykjavik and in hotels and hostels while on the extended field trips.

EXCURSIONS
On the program students enjoy two one-day field trips to waterfalls and hot springs for the study of geology, geothermal activity, and biological forms; and two longer field research excursions including a four-day trip to Skaftafell National Park for studies of fauna and flora on glaciers and mountains, and a five-day trip to the volcanic Vestmanna Islands in the Atlantic Ocean south of Iceland for the study of seabirds, whales and other sea mammals.

ELIGIBILITY
A cumulative grade average of B is required, as is at least one year of university-level biology and a university-level course in chemistry for the biology track. For the geology track students must have the above academic average and one year of university-level geology along with the course in chemistry. Biology is recommended for the geology students as well. One must be in good physical condition because frequent field trips are physically demanding on difficult terrain.

APPROXIMATE COSTS
Students are charged a program fee that includes one term's tuition, $500 administrative fee, and an adjusted room charge due to the shorter length of the program ('01 program--$14,542). The fee will cover all program related travel and accommodations in Iceland. Students are responsible for their own meal expenses, air transportation and incidentals, totaling about $2,000, although these costs may vary according to individual needs and tastes.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Students who participate in the program earn three HWS course credits, one of which can be counted toward the biology major. For geoscience students it is possible to earn one (possibly two) credits in geology. For more information about other course and program information, please pick up copy of the program brochure from the Office of Off-Campus Programs in Coxe Hall.