Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Field Biology Quarter

Field Biology Quarter (FBQ) is a unique capstone experience that has a profound effect on our student’s lives. It enhances their future career success, and affects them on a deeply personal level.

During FBQ our students spend a full quarter conducting field research. Courses are taught both locally, in the deserts, mountains and coastal areas of California, and internationally, including the savannas of Africa, rainforests of Ecuador, and coral reefs of Australia. International courses are especially transformative for students, many of whom have never been immersed in a foreign culture, or exposed to the tremendous diversity of a tropical rainforest. The experiences these students carry away from these courses profoundly affect how they view the world, its people, and its fragile biota.

FBQ is unlike any other course the students have ever taken: it is an intense bout of learning that introduces students to the excitement of field-based research. Our professors strive to create an atmosphere in which students can learn to collaborate, help each other negotiate the challenges of research, and share in each other’s successes. Small classes of 15 or less allow for very personalized attention.

FBQ has been an essential part of our student’s education since the 1970’s. The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology subsidizes the course as much as possible so that students pay only a fraction of the costs

FBQ exemplifies what it should mean to be an undergraduate at one of the nation's top research universities.

Robert Walsh, Ecuador FBQ

...the FBQ was a period of personal growth for me. For me, it was the first time in a tropical rainforest without the luxuries of technology or heated water. I faced a lot of fears: my fear of insects in particular, of getting dirty, and of the dark. I came back to the U.S. with a sense of accomplishment and confidence, knowing that I had seen things that many people would never see in their lifetime.

Menemsha Alloush Nicaragua FBQ

Upcoming FBQs

Winter 2019 - Peru

FBQ Winter 2019 – Cocha Cashu Biological Station, Manú National Park, Peru

Instructors: Dr. Greg Grether , Dr. Debra Shier
Winter 2019 FIELD BIOLOGY QUARTER (FBQ)

In Winter 2019, the “field” will be the premier Amazonian rainforest site, Cocha Cashu Biological Station, in Manú National Park, Peru. Cocha Cashu was established in 1969 and has been under the management of the San Diego Zoo since 2011. The species list includes 15 species of monkeys, 17 mammalian carnivores, including 6 species of cats, over 500 species of birds, 82 species of amphibians, over 1000 species of plants, etc. In short, the site has incredible biological diversity. Cocha Cashu also has a well-designed but rustic infrastructure, with tent platforms, showers, dining facilities, library, water purification system, satellite-based communication system, etc. For more information on Cocha Cashu, go to http://cochacashu.sandiegozooglobal.org/

Courses and Instructors:
EE Biol 132 – Field Behavioral Ecology (8 units) – Dr. Greg Grether
EE Biol 151B – Field Conservation Biology (8 units) – Dr. Debra Shier

The 16 upper division units of coursework fulfills the field quarter requirement for Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution (EBE) majors, 4 major courses for the Biology major, and fulfills 16 units of the Conservation Biology minor elective requirement. Qualified students in other majors and departments are welcome to apply.

Prerequisites and recommended courses: Prerequisites for the FBQ are Life Sciences 1, EE Biol 100, or an equivalent course in animal ecology and behavior. We also recommend that applicants take (1) one year of math and physics, (2) a course in statistics, and (3) one or more of following EE Biol courses: 129 (Animal Behavior); 126 (Behavioral Ecology); 122 (Ecology); 120 (Evolution); 116 (Conservation Biology); 114 (Ornithology); 113 (Herpetology); 112 (Ichthyology); and 115 (Mammalogy). EE Biol 126, 129 and 116 are the most directly relevant courses for this FBQ.

Cost: Besides normal registration fees and tuition, there will be a mandatory student contribution to defray costs associated with the trip (travel, lodging, food, and supplies). The student contribution for of the Winter 2019 trip remains to be determined but is estimated at $2000. Scholarships are available for students with financial needs (inquire in the EEB Undergrad Office). All students are encouraged to apply.

Students will be expected to update their passports and immunizations, as needed, and to bring certain personal items along on the trip (suitable clothing, toiletries, compass, flashlight, etc.). If you are accepted, a non-refundable deposit of $500 will be due after the interview process is complete.

Application deadline and procedure: Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 16th, 2018. Find the application form using this link: http://goo.gl/forms/ZPjxLwA4NKXtfZQy2

A subset of applicants will be invited for interviews during spring quarter 2018. Enrollment is capped at 15 students.

Spring 2019 – California

Instructors: Dr. Peter Nonacs, ➢ Dr. Felipe Zapata
SPRING 2019 FIELD BIOLOGY QUARTER – CALIFORNIA
(Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center & James San Jacinto Mountains and Oasis de los Osos Reserves)

The Field Biology Quarter (FBQ) is a quarter-long field program designed to give advanced undergraduates experience studying wild organisms in their natural environment. For most students, the FBQ is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that forever shapes how they view the biological world; for a few, it is the start of a rewarding career as a field biologist. Working in groups or individually, FBQ students design and carry out original research in the field, under the guidance of the instructors. Back on campus, students analyze their own data, review the relevant literature, write journal article-style reports, and give informal seminar presentations. In Spring 2019, students will take two 8-unit courses in conjunction with participation in two separate fieldwork programs—at the Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center and James San Jacinto Mountains and Oasis de los Osos Reserves, as part of the University of California’s Natural Reserve System (UCNRS).

Spring Quarter 2019 FBQ Course Instructors:*
➢ Dr. Peter Nonacs
➢ Dr. Felipe Zapata
*Approved students will be enrolled in this course by the EE BIOL Undergraduate Office.

REQUIRED PRE-REQUISITE COURSES: (Do not need to be completed prior to applying.)
➢ Life Sciences 1 or Life Sciences 7B
➢ EE BIOL 100 – Introduction to Ecology and Behavior (offered Summer 2018, Fall 2018, Winter 2019)
➢ Competitive GPA

RECOMMENDED PRE-REQUISITIE COURSES: (Do not need to be completed prior to applying.)
➢ EE BIOL 129 – Animal Behavior (recommended, not required)

RECOMMENDED:
➢ Priority consideration will be given to qualified EE BIOL majors.

COST:
In addition to the standard University registration fees and tuition, there will be a mandatory student contribution to defray costs associated with the trip (travel, lodging, food, and supplies). We will do our best to keep the cost as low as possible (tentatively between $500 and $800 for the quarter). In addition, students will be expected to update their immunizations, as needed, and bring certain personal items for the trip (suitable clothing, toiletries, compass, flashlight, etc.). If you are accepted for the Spring 2019 FBQ, a non-refundable deposit will be due after the interview process is complete.

APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS

Applications will be available on the EEB Undergraduate website: >https://goo.gl/forms/1puwarnuZvw0vjzE3

Application deadline: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. Applications are to be submitted electronically via the online application system. A copy of your Degree Audit Report (DAR)/Degree Progress Report (DPR) should be attached with your application.

Applicants selected for a personal interview will be contacted by the EE BIOL Undergraduate Office.

QUESTIONS?
Please contact the EE BIOL Undergraduate Office at eebundergrad@lifesci.ucla.edu“>eebundergrad@lifesci.ucla.edu“>eebundergrad@lifesci.ucla.edu“>eebundergrad@lifesci.ucla.edu.

Fall 2019 - Santa Cruz Island Reserve

FBQ Fall 2019 – Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Instructors: Dr. Tonya Kane, Dr. Ren Larison
Fall 2019 FIELD MARINE BIOLOGY QUARTER – Santa Cruz Island Reserves

The MARINE BIOLOGY QUARTER (MBQ) and FIELD BIOLOGY QUARTER (FBQ) are field programs planned to give advanced undergraduates an opportunity to gain intimate and firsthand knowledge of both marine and terrestrial communities. They are also designed as a real world training experience in devising and carrying through to completion scientific research projects in both habitats.

The FMBQ satisfies the field quarter requirement for the Marine Biology major and the Ecology, Biology, and Evolution (EBE) major. Qualified students in other majors and departments are welcome to apply.

Fall Quarter 2019 FMBQ Courses will include:*
– EE BIOL132: Field Behavioral Ecology
– EE BIOL123B: Field Marine Ecology

*Approved students will be enrolled in these courses by the EE BIOL Undergraduate Office.

REQUIRED PRE-REQUISITES: (Pre-requisites do not need to be completed prior to applying)
-Life Sciences 1 or Life Science 7B
-EE BIOL 109 – Introduction to Marine Science (offered Summer 2019)
-EE BIOL 109L – Introduction to Marine Science Laboratory (offered Summer 2019)
-Statistics 13 (or equivalent course)
-Competitive GPA

COST
The cost of the FMBQ will be regular UCLA registration fees plus additional fees to cover the cost of room and board and travel ($1000-$1500). Financial aid students may be able to revise their 2019-20 budget and apply for additional funds to cover the cost of the FMBQ. Students should expect to be in the field only 3-4 weeks out of the quarter.

The cost of the FMBQ ($1000-$1500) will be due sometime Spring Quarter 2019. If your final payment is not received by the due date, you will not be allowed to participate in the FMBQ. More detailed information about the due date will be forthcoming. Please be aware that the cost of the FMBQ is in addition to your regular Fall Quarter 2019 UCLA registration fees.

LINK TO THE APPLICATION HERE: https://goo.gl/forms/KojzYfjZZG9eQE7o2

Application deadline: January 30th, 2019 @ 4PM.

Applicants selected for a personal interview will be contacted by the EE BIOL Undergraduate Office.

MAJOR/MINOR REQUIREMENTS
Biology Major
– One Category 3 Lab
– Two Category 4 Upper Division EEB Electives
– One Category 5 Upper Division Science Elective

EBE Major
Field Quarter Requirement

Marine Biology Major
Marine Biology Quarter Requirement

Conservation Biology Minor
16 units of Minor Electives

Past FBQ Locations

Fowlers Gap research station in New South Wales, Australia
University of California Bodega Marine Laboratory, Bodega Bay, California
Sonoran Desert and the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab
Jervis Bay, Australia
Santa Cruz Island/Granite Mountains
Mpala Research Centre Ranch and Conservancy, Kenya
Mojave Desert / Nicaragua
Granite Mountains/Santa Cruz Island
Lameshur Bay, St John US Virgin Islands
Neotropical Rainforest – Central or South America
Lameshur Bay, St. John US Virgin Islands
Kibale, Uganda
Refugio Bartola, Nicaragua
Local – James Reserve in the San Jacinto Mountains and Santa Cruz Island
University of Belize – Calabash Caye Field/Marine Station
African Rainforest
Wrigley Marine Science Center – Catalina Island
Moorea, French Polynesia – UC Gump Field Station
Lowland Caribbean Rainforest, Nicaragua
Queensland, Australia
California Research Locations
Cocha Cashu Biological Station, Manú National Park, Peru
Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Ecuador
Valentine Eastern Sierra Reserve

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Past FBQ Faculty

Doctor Greg Grether
Doctor Brenda Larison
Doctor Peter Nonacs
Doctor Bradley Shaffer
Doctor Debra Shier
Doctor Felipe Zapata
Doctor Thomas Smith

FBQ Procedures and Requirements:

Consists of 16 upper division units of coursework
Minimum GPA of 3.0 or above recommended
Requirement for Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution majors
Counts as upper division electives in categories 4 and/or 5 for Biology majors
Preference is given to Marine Biology Majors, EBE Majors and to other students in the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department
Students in other departments are welcome to apply

Prerequisites:

Prerequisites for MBQ usually consist of Life Sciences 1, EE Biol 100, and Stats 13 (or its equivalent).

Application Process:

Applications are available a year in advance through the EEB Undergraduate CCLE Listserv and the department web site, www.eeb.ucla.edu. The selection process takes place at the end of the quarter of application.

Cost:

The typical cost of the FBQ includes normal UCLA tuition plus room and board at the same rate as UCLA dorms with a meal plan. If you will be living in the dorms the year you plan to participate in the FBQ, you will need to cancel your housing contract for the quarter in which the FBQ is offered (in writing to the Residence Hall’s Assignment Office) and request assignment for the quarter when you return. If you live in an apartment, you might consider subletting your room while you are gone, but be advised that you may not be gone the entire quarter. Please contact the Financial Aid Office, A129J Murphy Hall, 206-0400, to find out if your aid can cover these costs. Scholarship information is available at the Scholarship Resource Center, 233 Covel Commons, 206-2875.

Field Biology Quarter