Students will participate in a large project to study fish passage through dams on the Verde River located east of Campo Grande. They will spend 10 days gathering samples at the dam site, and then will process those samples for 8 weeks at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte. Students will be introduced and learn in depth about the hyperdiverse fish fauna (nearly 50 species of freshwater fishes) and the challenges to providing passage of fishes across hydroelectric dams. Other wildlife species are abundant and will likely be encountered including rheas, giant anteater, tapirs, short-nosed caiman, macaws, and many other unique species. Students will work under the supervision of Alexandre Godhino a professor and international expert in fish passage in tropical systems. In addition to classwork, students will learn valuable field and lab-based skills and will create connections with peers and mentors in Brazil.
International Biology Internships
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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DATES
Approximately 12 weeks during winter semester 2020
HOUSING
Housing may be a dorm of apartment. Students may be sharing a room with another BYU participant and sharing an apartment with local students.
COURSES
Students are required to register for a minimum 12 credit hours during the winter semester internship. These credits may be Biology 399R Internship or other directed readings/research credit.
Students may also take other courses as arranged by their faculty director.
Students may also be interested in investigating the local culture by taking IAS 380 Cultural Proofs for 1–3 credit hours. This self-guided course allows students to do independent intercultural research, interview locals, and experience local culture.
COST
Students will pay BYU Latter-day Saint undergraduate tuition for 12 credit hours and receive internship placement, housing in Belo Horizonte, and international health insurance coverage.
Not included: international airfare, meals, local transportation, international cell phone/data plan, personal expenses
PREPARATION
Accepted students are required to participate in an international preparation course (IAS 369R, 1 credit hour). This second-block evening course will be held during fall semester 2019.
Accompanying spouses need to be credit-bearing participants on the program.
Spouses will also need to apply online and take the preparation course.
FUNDING SOURCES
Regular BYU tuition scholarships, Pell Grants, and Federal Insured Student Loans may be applied to study abroad programs.
Academic departments and colleges may assist with scholarships and grants. Biology Department scholarships may be available to biology majors. Check with Professor Jerry Johnson for details.
Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (see kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships).
APPLICATION PROCESS
Complete the online application at kennedy.byu.edu/apply. The application requires a nonrefundable $35 fee.
Applicants will be interviewed once the application is complete.
Students will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance into the program.
Deadline: 4 Oct 2019
FACULTY
Mark Belk, professor of evolutionary biology in the Biology Department, is the faculty director of the program.
SCHEDULE AND TIME COMMITMENT
Students are allowed to remain in Brazil for 90 days with a visa.
INTERESTED STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT
International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
kennedy.byu.edu/isp
PROGRAM ADJUSTMENTS
ISP reserves the right to cancel this program, revise its offerings, or make any adjustments to the preliminary cost estimates due to conditions beyond its control.