Training:
current courses
Each year the Tropical Biology Association runs a series of month-long field courses in tropical ecology and conservation. The courses are intended for students at advanced undergraduate or early postgraduate level who have a keen interest, but little experience, in tropical biology.
Courses in 2010 are to be held in Borneo, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda. The deadline for applications is the 20th February each year.
TBA Course 10/1 Tropical forest ecosystems in Tanzania
Dates: 20 June - 19 July (TBA 10/1)
The forests of the Usambaras are noted for their extraordinary biological richness and high species endemism. These forests are now severely fragmented and under great human pressure. The course will introduce some of the area's research and conservation programmes.
Scholarships for this course are only available for African and Malagasy participants.
More info about the course site.
TBA Course 10/2 Forest and savannah ecosystems in Uganda
Dates: 27 July - 26 August (TBA 10/2)
This course will be held in Kibale Forest National Park at the Makerere University Biological Field Station, and will also include a short visit to savanna habitat in the nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kibale forest is a mid-altitude tropical moist forest with a spectacular array of species and a long established programme of ecological research.
Scholarships for this course are only available for African and Malagasy participants.
More information about the course site.
TBA Course 10/3 Tropical forest ecosystems in Borneo
Dates: 1 October - 30 October (TBA 10/3)
The course is held at the Danum Valley Field Centre in the Danum Valley Conservation Area. Covering 438 km2, this is one of the most important and best-protected expanses of pristine lowland forest remaining in SE Asia. Long-term research at the field centre focuses on the effects of forest disturbance through timber harvesting, conversion to plantation and rainforest rehabilitation.
Scholarships for this course are only available for participants from ASEAN countries.
More info about the course site.
TBA Course 10/4 Tropical forests ecosystems in Madagascar
Dates: 1 November - 30 November (TBA 10/4)
This course will be held in Kirindy's dry deciduous forest. This is a great opportunity to visit the unusual dry decidous forest of the world. The area also provides a good case study of the effect of human impacts on biodiversity which include fragmentation, burning and other forms of degradation. There will also be short trips to a mangrove forest in Morondava and a rainforest in Perinet.
Scholarships for this course are only available for African and Malagasy participants.
More information about the course site.
Course fees
Scholarships are available to those from ASEAN countries to take part in the Borneo course, and to those from Africa and Madagascar to take part in the African or Madagascar courses.
Scholarships are not available for African/Malagasy students to take part in the Borneo course or for those from ASEAN countries to take part in the African or Madagascar courses.
Scholarships include transport to and from the field site, accommodation, subsistence and course fees.
For applicants from TBA member institutions (click here to view our list of members) course fees* are 600 pounds sterling.
For European/US/other applicants from non TBA member institutions course fees* are 900 pounds sterling.
*Course fees cover tuition, food, accommodation, and in-country transport. They do not cover airfares, insurance or visa costs.
All European participants are eligible for a British Ecological Society Scholarship which will reduce the TBA course fees by approximately £200 pounds sterling.
Click here for information on how to apply for a place on a TBA course.