1.  Understand the patterns and processes of geography, climate,
geology, soils and vegetation in the tropics.  
2.  Recognize the interplay of nature and human society in
shaping tropical landscapes.  Develop an understanding of
tropical agricultural practices and their ecological consequences. 
3.  Be aware of global patterns of biodiversity, with special
reference to latitudinal gradients.
4.  Be aware of the issues surrounding conservation, loss of
habitat, global warming, invasive species, and sustainable
development in the tropics.  Critically assess aspects of
sustainability.    
5.  Gain proficiency in natural history and the observation of
tropical organisms in the wild.  
6.  Recognize and identify major groups of tropical organisms,
including plants, insects, birds, mammals, intertidal marine
invertebrates, and fish.  Use standard reference works on
taxonomy of tropical flora and fauna.  
7.  Apply skills of observation and taxonomy to identify
unfamiliar species in unexplored sites. 
8.  Work competently and safely within various tropical
environments, including forest, riparian habitats, marine
habitats, and agricultural zones; understand risks to health and
safety, and apply measures to minimize risks.
9.  Through discussions and readings of the original literature,
be aware of current focus areas of research in tropical ecology,
and understand the issues.

Tropical climates, global circulation patterns, and seasonality
in the tropics
Geography and agriculture in Costa Rica
Geological origins of Central America
Tropical soils and soil processes
Tropical plant families: bryophytes, ferns, and angiosperms
Tropical forest ecology: issues and the evidence
Insect diversity in the tropics
Costa Rican amphibian families: natural history, reproduction,
and acoustic signaling
Amphibian conservation 
Tropical mammals: evolution of the major groups 
Systematics and ecology of Costa Rican bats
Tropical birds: major families, and recognition of birds in the 
field