Loyola’s Tropical Biology Program combines lectures and discussions on campus with field trips to Central America.

While traveling in the tropics you can experience firsthand the overwhelming diversity of plants and animals that inhabit tropical rainforests. Loyola’s Tropical Biology study abroad program combines lectures and discussions on campus with field trips to Central America to increase student understanding and appreciation of the evolution, maintenance, and conservation of biological diversity in the tropics.

Study Abroad Field Courses

Students enrolled in the Tropical Biology course learn about biological and physical processes that shape and maintain tropical ecosystems, becoming familiar with major groups of tropical plants and animals, and preparing for a field trip to either Roatan, Honduras or Belize. Students enrolled in Tropical Ecology lecture are required to sign up for at least one of the following field trips to Central America.

Tropical Ecology field work in Roatan, Honduras

The primary goal of this field trip is for students to learn about tropical marine ecosystems while snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking on coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. This field trip provides a great opportunity for students to become scuba certified.

Tropical Ecology field work in Belize

The primary goal of this field trip is for students to learn about terrestrial and marine ecosystems and immerse themselves in Belizean culture. Primary activities include extensive hiking through tropical forests and savannahs; observing plants and animals in their natural habitats; ziplining through tree canopies; exploring Maya ruins in Tikal, and snorkeling on the Mesoamerican barrier reef.

A key feature of the tropics is that the region is generally hot, humid, and undeveloped. Field trips include extensive long hikes over mountainous terrain, snorkeling, diving, and other strenuous physical activities.

Faculty

Frank Jordan, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biological Sciences at Loyola University New Orleans. His research focuses on ecology and conservation of aquatic and marine ecosystems, with special emphasis on the biology of fishes. He has been leading this trip for about five years and encourages biology and environmental science majors to consider integrating a research project into their trip to the tropics.

Aimee Thomas, Ph.D., is Visiting Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at Loyola University New Orleans.  Her research focuses on science education, natural history, and the biology of tropical spiders.

Robert Thomas, Ph.D., is Professor of Environmental Communications at Loyola University New Orleans. His research focuses on science education, environmental journalism and communication, natural history and the biology of tropical snakes.