Natural History of Madagascar

Currently Unavailable
Madagascar
Friday, March 7, 2025 to Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Department: 
NREM
Type of Travel: 
Travel Course
Semester: 
Spring
Year: 
2025
Application Deadline: 
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Program Director(s): 

Course Information
NREM 496A 3 credits

Students will be introduced to the natural history of Madagascar with an emphasis on tropical rainforest and arid spiny forest habitats. This will require short visits to two contrasting regions of the country. This will provide students with an opportunity to (1) contrast competing use of forest resources, (2) learn how the forests are managed, and (3) experience the incredible biodiversity of Madagascar with a particular emphasis on lemurs, birds, plants, and people. Ultimately, students will place Madagascar biology in the context of evolutionary time, and will examine human impacts and exploitation of natural resources that contrast with a growing ecotourism industry.

Previous Program Itinerary (2018)

March 7
Depart Des Moines and fly overnight to Antananarivo, arriving mid-day on March 8

March 8
Drive East to the Andasibe area (overnight)

March 9-11
Visit national parks in rain forest

March 12
Return to Antananarivo,flight to Toliara, drive to Ifaty (overnight in Ifaty)

March 13-16
Visit National parks and private reserve in spiny forest and coastal region

March 17
Morning near Toliara, then fly to Antananarivo

March 18
Flight to Paris and then Des Moines, arriving on 18 March

Important Note Regarding Missing Classes
Please note that participation on some travel courses require you to be away from campus for some school days.  The College of Agriculture & Life Sciences tries to minimize the number of days missed for this purpose, but in some events, the inflexibility of the travel schedule prevents us from working completely within our breaks.  Should you choose to enroll in a travel course that requires missing some class(es) on campus, you will need to contact your instructor directly to inquire whether or not arrangements can be made to make up this class work and/or exams. The CALS Study Abroad office can provide you with a letter explaining the dates of the trip.  However, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor to determine the potential impact on your grade before signing up for a Study Abroad program. The instructor is responsible for determining the impact of any absence from class.