Two Galapagos tortoises play along the shoreline in the Galapagos Islands National
Park near Ecuador.
Students can explore the birthplace of evolutionary theory in a winter session expedition to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands National Park, following the fall course "Charles Darwin and the Galapagos Islands: The Evolution of Evolution" (A&S 4900).
The course is collaboration between the University of Wyoming/Casper College (UW/CC) Center and Casper College. It is designed for credit students interested in biological sciences, and may be open for noncredit individuals as well.
Taught by Scott Seville, associate professor of zoology and physiology at the UW/CC Center, and Will Robinson, biology instructor at Casper College, the course will introduce students to the natural history of the Galapagos Islands, as well as their role in the development of Darwin's theory of evolution.
Students will also learn about current research on the islands' biology and ecology, along with contemporary conservation issues and their similarities to issues in Wyoming.
Only students who enroll in the fall course will be eligible to participate in the winter session expedition. The travelers to Ecuador will depart on Dec. 31, and will return on Jan. 8. Estimated student travel costs are $5,000-$5,500, which includes the national park entrance fee and Ecuador departure fee.
Financial aid may be available for qualified students.
"The natural history of this archipelago is very remarkable," said Darwin in his historic study. "It seems to be a little world within itself -- the greater number of its inhabitants, both vegetable and animal, being found nowhere else."
For more information, call the UW/CC Center at (307) 268-2713, or toll free at 1-877-264-9930.
