SFS TANZANIA: WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT STUDIES (SEMESTER)

PROGRAM DETAILS

• Terms: Fall, Spring
• Credits: 18 semester-hour credits
• Prerequisites: One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science, 2.7 GPA, 18 years of age
• Financial Aid: All accepted students can apply for need-based scholarships, grants, and loans

OVERVIEW

Step beyond a tourist experience in East Africa. Explore the iconic landscapes of Tanzania. Meet the country’s charismatic wildlife – from magnificent lions and elephants to thunderous herds of wildebeest and zebras – as you learn about their ecology and behavior. Experience the rich culture and traditions of Tanzania’s Maasai, Iraqw, and Hadzabe tribal communities while collaborating on issues of human-wildlife conflict and climate change. Finish the semester with an in-depth field research project.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

• Embark on a multi-day camping expedition in Serengeti National Park, attending field lectures on the behavior and migratory patterns of the park’s magnificent wildlife.
• Learn about elephant and lion ecology in Tarangire National Park and visit Burunge Wildlife Management Area to learn about community-based conservation.
• Embark on a 2-week expedition to the nearby SFS Center in Kenya. Stay at our Kilimanjaro Bush Camp (KBC) site and spend time in Amboseli National Park and Kimana Wildlife Sanctuary. This includes a 4-day/3-night camping expedition to Chuyulu Hills or Tsavo National Park.
• Conduct a comprehensive field research project: Develop a research question, collect and analyze data, write a paper, and present your findings.

SFS students live and study at the Center for Wildlife Management Studies. Known locally as “Moyo Hill Camp” and surrounded by Tanzania’s world-famous national parks and wildlife, it’s the perfect base camp for expeditions into the field. Campus is reminiscent of summer camp, with plenty of outdoor and communal spaces, while the small, friendly community of Rhotia is a short walk away.

RESEARCH THEMES

• Wildlife conservation
• Climate change impacts
• African large mammal behavior and ecology
• Field ornithology
• Human-wildlife conflict
• Habitat assessments
• Community-based conservation
• Reptile ecology and conservation

 

CORE SKILLS

• GIS
• Habitat and biodiversity assessment
• Species identification and wildlife census techniques
• Animal behavior observation
• Natural resource valuation
• Radio telemetry
• Bird species identification
• Basic Swahili language
• Research design and implementation
• Data collection and analysis
• Research presentation

 

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Visit the SFS website
Call the Admissions Hotline at 800.989.4418
Email admissions@fieldstudies.org
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Academic Program
Students enroll in the following courses (18 U.S. semester credits; 4.5 Pomona credits):

• Introduction to Swahili Language and East African Culture (0.5 Pomona credits).
• Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values- Tanzania (1 Pomona credit).
• Techniques in Wildlife Management (1 Pomona credit).
• Wildlife Ecology (1 Pomona credit)
• Directed Research- Tanzania (1 Pomona credit)

An important component of the SFS learning model is hands-on field experience. Field lectures, exercises and research help students to connect the conceptual material presented in the course to local realities, learn field research techniques, collect and analyze field data, and develop holistic and critical thinking skills. 

There is no CR/NC option for this program.

Living Arrangements
Students live at Moyo Hill Camp, a fenced facility nestled among native trees, surrounded by maize plantations and other crop fields. The camp includes a dining and social activity center, library, computer room, classroom, and outdoor spaces for lounging, studying, and playing soccer and volleyball. Students live in four-person suites in bandas (cabins) with bunk beds and a private bathroom. The camp is part of the small community of Rhotia, where students enjoy daily interaction with neighbors.
 
Number of Students
The program admits up to 38 students from a national pool.

Host Institution
The School for Field Studies

Faculty Liaison
Nina Karnovsky

Eligibility

• One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science

Student Experiences
Click here to read about student experiences on the SFS Tanzania program.

Travel Advisories

• Department of State
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention