School for Field Studies - Turks and Caicos - International Programs Office

School for Field Studies - Turks and Caicos

Multiple Locations, Turks and Caicos

The School for Field Studies in Turks and Caicos focuses on Marine Resource Management Studies. Although they are particularly suited to students interested in Biology and Environmental Studies, all SFS programs offer ample resources and opportunities for students in all disciplines. The SFS program in Turks and Caicos is located next to Cockburn Harbour, and has a field station and ocean laboratory right next to the water.

Students live in two attached resident wings. Students work in the adjacent reefs and marine areas, monitoring the condition of the marine habitats. Individual projects can include work with fish population assessments, biodiversity surveys, and coral reef ecology. This program balances the biological with the social, focusing heavily upon the economic effects of marine life, studying and evaluating the state of fisheries and tourism. SFS gives Reed students an interdisciplinary approach to these topics, overlapping with questions about public policy, economic analysis of biological resource issues, and “Direct Research” projects where students carry out independent field work. For students of all disciplines, these programs are also an exceptional chance to explore field-based learning rooted in local communities and cultures.

Through this program, students with an interest in Marine Biology and Environmental Studies may spend a semester learning how to conduct field-research in Southern Caicos. Students will be working with the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) and the National Park Service, researching in (and outside of) thirty-three different Marine Protected Areas, studying ecological habitats, the effects of fishing and tourist presence, biodiversity, and developing important field research skills such as data collection and analysis (as well as snorkeling and SCUBA abilities). Students will interact with local communities through program-organized service including teaching local youths how to swim, and conducting English lessons. The Center provides dining quarters, a kitchen, classrooms, a computer lab, and two residence wings where students will have quarters. The Center overlooks the sea, and is fully equipped for marine research. This program is primarily geared towards students studying Biology or Environmental Studies, but students in other disciplines may apply, provided they have taken at least one semester of college-level Ecology or Biology.

Program Information

Terms Available: semester

Languages of Instruction: English

Language Prerequisite: N/A

GPA Requirement: 2.8
Credits: 16
Course Catalog

Application

Application Deadline: Fall: May 1 | Spring: Nov 15
Program Application
Program website

Announcements

Gilman Program Application Is Now Open!: Thinking about study abroad? Receive up to $5,000 (or up to $8,000 if you’re studying a Critical Need Language) to go abroad as a college student if you’re a U.S. citizen and Federal Pell Grant recipient! If you’re interested in conducting STEM-related research while studying or interning abroad, you could receive an additional $1,000 by applying for the new STEM supplemental award. The application closes March 7! Learn more at gilmanscholarship.org.

IIE American Passport Project: Annually, IIE will make grants to U.S. colleges and universities in the IIENetwork  so they can help Pell-eligible students obtain a U.S. passport. More information.

Off-Campus Programs in Israel and the West Bank: The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4-Do not Travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, and airlines have canceled flights. Reed College off-campus programs in this region have been canceled for the spring term. Students considering off-campus programs in Egypt and Lebanon must contact the Director of International Programs.