Belize Primatology
Explore the field of Primatology in an immersive and engaging setting!
The University of Calgary’s Primatology program is widely recognized as the best in Canada and among the best in North America. This exceptional opportunity will take you to Belize: a country known for its verdant jungles, diverse ecosystems, ancient ruins, and warm Caribbean Sea. In the Belizean forest, you will learn the fundamentals of wild primate research design through first-hand observation of Howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) and be trained in all aspects of conducting fieldwork, in particular, the sampling techniques required to collect behavioural and ecological data. This intensive training will equip you with the ability to carefully plan a relevant and detailed research project proposal that will be submitted at the end of the session in Belize. Over the course of this program, you will gain the necessary skills for successful fieldwork, including teamwork, individual problem solving, flexibility in the face of changing circumstances, field safety, and generally coping with working in another country.
This field school is based out of Monkey River village – a small, traditional Creole village at the mouth of Monkey River – where you will be immersed in a unique cultural experience. Trips to Placencia, the barrier reef, and the Tropical Education Centre and Zoo in central Belize will round off your experience!
More Information
Location
Language
English
Semester
Spring 2022
Program type
Group Study
Application information
Application status
Closed - program full
Application deadline
December 1, 2021
Eligibility requirements
This program is open to students from all majors. See the Eligibility section below for more details.
Info sessions
September 28 at 1:00 - 1:50 pm
Earth Sciences room 614 (ES 614)
Did you miss it? Watch the recorded info session video on this page! (See right side on desktop, or scroll down if on mobile.)
Student experience
Info session
First 15 minutes are application instructions, then keep watching to hear all about Belize from Dr. Notman! (Captions are automated; please contact us with any questions.)
Have questions?
For program information, please contact Dr. Hugh Notman at hgwnotma@ucalgary.ca
For application and registration support, please contact the Group Study Team at group.study@ucalgary.ca.
Other useful links:
Program details
Questions about these courses should be directed to the program instructor.
Please note: course descriptions are tentative and subject to change.
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Courses offered
Students on this program are required to enroll in three courses:
ANTH 505: Primate Behavioural Research Design (3 units)
ANTH 552: Field Studies in Primatology (6 units)
ANTH 553: Research methods for the study of neotropical primate ecology & behaviour (3 units)
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Prerequisites
All course offerings require ANTH 311 and consent of the program instructor.
Also recommended (not required): ANTH 413
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Pre-departure
TBD, Calgary: Mandatory pre-departure orientation facilitated by Group Study Programs.
TBD, Calgary: Mandatory Group First Aid training and Travel Clinic.
May 2-4, Calgary: Mandatory field preparation course to be completed at the University of Calgary.
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In-field
May 5, Calgary/Belize: Travel to Belize via Houston; arrive at Tropical Education Centre (TEC)
May 6, TEC: Classroom lecture with night tour of the Belize Zoo
May 7, TEC: Runaway Creek visit, Sibun River paddle, and Methods exam
May 8, Monkey River: Travel to Monkey River Village; stop on the way at Cockscomb wildlife sanctuary
May 9-12, Monkey River: Fieldwork days
May 13, Monkey River: Fieldwork and reef field trip
May 14, Monkey River: Fieldwork, forest ecology talk, and exam
May 15-17, Monkey River: Fieldwork days
May 18, Monkey River: Proposal presentations; time for coursework
May 19, Monkey River: Fieldwork day
May 20, Monkey River: Coursework, exam prep, and due date for lit assignment
May 21, Monkey River: Field exam
May 22, Placencia: Travel to Placencia; dinner at De-Tatch; time for coursework and final write-up
May 23: Placencia: Lagoon cruise and group dinner; time for final write-up
May 24, Belize/Calgary: Return to Calgary (or continue on independent travel)
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Post-field
ANTH 553 research proposal will be due following the program.
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Costs
The estimated cost of the Belize Primatology Group Study Program will include tuition, airfare, field trips, local transportation, accommodations, and meals. The program cost is $6977.
For the full cost breakdown and payment deadlines, please see the program Student Cost Summary.
Important information regarding deposit payments: Deposits are non-refundable. Deposits secure your space in the program and allows payment for logistical arrangements to be made in advance.
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Funding
International Study Travel Grant: Students studying abroad may be eligible for the University of Calgary's International Study Travel Grant. For more information on eligibility, application details and deadlines please click here.
IDEAS Fund: All undergraduate students who are in good standing and enrolled in programs offered by the Faculty of Science are eligible to apply for financial support from the IDEAS Fund. Find out more here.
Student loans: If you qualify for student loans, your program should qualify. We are able to provide you with a letter confirming your participation in the program for funding purposes. Please email group.study@ucalgary.ca to request a letter.
Please note that eligibility for student loans is determined by your loans provider.
For the majority of the program, participants will be staying in rustic guest houses in Monkey River Village that generally accommodate between two to five people per room.
Other forms of accommodation include a rustic jungle lodge at the Tropical Education Centre and a budget hotel in Placencia.
Participants will always have at least one roommate, and on occasion may stay in rooms with two or more people.
This program is open to undergraduate students in good academic standing from all faculties.
Applications will be considered after your application and unofficial transcript have been received by Study Abroad, and after your supplementary questionnaire has been received by the program instructor.
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Statement of Purpose
Please tell us why you want to study abroad, why you have selected this particular program (academic reasons, personal interest, career prospects, etc.), how this program will meet your academic objectives and/or complement your degree, how you plan to finance your program and why you should be selected.
The Statement of Purpose is submitted within your online application (max 500 words).
Note: Because the online application will time out after one hour, we recommend that you compose your statement of purpose in advance in Word to check for spelling, grammar and word count, and then paste it into the online application.
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Unofficial Transcripts
Download an unofficial transcript from your Student Centre and submit it by email to group.study@ucalgary.ca.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to access your unofficial transcript.
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Program-specific questionnaire
Click here to download the supplementary questionnaire for this program.
Submit your completed form directly to the instructor, Dr. Hugh Notman, at hgwnotma@ucalgary.ca.
Please ensure that you have read the Group Study Program General FAQs thoroughly before applying.
Program-Specific FAQs
Q: Is Belize safe?
A: Yes, Belize is a safe country to travel and work in. English is commonly spoken. Of course, there are always precautions that should be taken whenever one travels in a foreign country, especially when in more isolated or "non-touristy" regions such as Monkey River. We will discuss these precautions before we go.
Q: What kind of food will be available?
A: While at Monkey River Village, locally-cooked meals will be provided for you and covered in your fees. Other meals you will buy on your own (e.g. the Tropical Education Center cafeteria, or restaurants in Placencia) - this is described in the Student Cost Summary. For meals purchased on your own, costs vary depending on the venue, but you can anticipate to spend $10 - $20 CAD per meal. Generally, common dietary restrictions can be accommodated given advance notice; please contact the program instructor if you have any concerns related to this.
Belize Primatology was a challenging, fun, rewarding, incredible once in a lifetime experience. It was a great introduction to fieldwork. Now I cannot wait to be a primatologist! Every minute of every day in Monkey River was filled with some unique experience unlike anything else. I feel so lucky for this opportunity.
Amanda
Past Program Participant
Getting started
Program-Specific Info Sessions
Info sessions are scheduled for every Group Study Program. Attending an info session is not required to apply, but strongly recommended as it will give you an opportunity to meet the instructor and learn more about the travel experience.
We also recommend watching Global Learning 101 for general information.
Study Abroad Advising
If you have questions about this program, you can meet with one of our Group Study Advisors by emailing group.study@ucalgary.ca or booking an appointment through the link below.
1. Select "Advising"
2. Select “Study Abroad”
3. Select “Book by Appointment Type”
4. Select your program advisor to view available times.
Academic Advising
Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how a Group Study Program might align with your degree.
After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular study abroad program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Study Abroad Team will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
Please note if you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Study Abroad Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.