Learning Opportunity: Para La Tierra Primatology and Primate Conservation Online Course
Primate-Programs
COURSE OVERVIEW:
This comprehensive online primatology course consists of four modules, each taught through video lectures that can be worked through at your own pace. Each module has a recommended reading list and will conclude with a short ‘home-work assignment’ to evaluate progress. The course's total duration is estimated to be 30 hours. Participants can sign up for a one-on-one Skype session with course organiser, Para La Tierra's resident primatologist and National Geographic Explorer, to discuss questions they have about the course content, their personal learning goals, and their overall career trajectory. Upon completion of the course students will receive a certificate and a reference on request. The course will provide you with:
- An overview of the order primates
- A broad understanding of primate behavior
- An introduction to different field techniques (and how they can be applied to different studies)
- Exposure to the process of designing a field project
- A global perspective on different aspects of primate conservation
COST:
$300. This fee includes all the course material, a one-on-one Skype session with the course instructor, and access to a library of relevant primatological literature curated by Rebecca Smith. This fee also allows us to offer a participant scholarship for a student from a low-income Latin American country through a 1-to-1 scholarship scheme.
COURSE BREAKDOWN: (Link to course website)
Module 1: Introduction to the Primates.
· This module will focus on primate taxonomy, the distinguishing features of the primates and the diversity within the Order Primates. This is the shortest module.
Module 2: Primate Behaviour.
· This module focuses on primate behavioural ecology (with topics including feeding ecology, dominance, aggressive and affiliative behaviours, mother-infant relationships and cultural behaviour), social organisation and reproductive behaviour, cognition, demography, life histories and population dynamics.
Module 3: Field Studies
· This module focuses on how to design a study of primate behaviour and includes topics such as habituation, studying home ranges, census and survey methods, invasive and non-invasive biological sampling, habitat assessments and how to conduct behavioural experiments with wild primates.
Module 4: Primate Conservation
· This module will cover topics including ethnoprimatology and ethics in field primatology, species conservation status and how this contributes to conservation, in situ conservation action, captive breeding and ex situ conservation, primates in trade (including the bushmeat trade, entertainment and pet trade) and the importance of environmental education for conservation.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Understand the taxonomy and distinguishing features of the Order Primates.
2. Understand primate behaviour and be able to explain different aspects of behaviour in different species and how this relates to their life histories
3. Be able to design a study of primate behaviour with a robust understanding of the theory behind different field techniques.
4. Explain why ethics are important in field primatology and discuss common ethical questions that arise when conducting field work.
5. Understand the conservation status of different primate species.
6. Understand the biggest conservation issues facing different primate species.
7. Understand the importance of environmental education for in situ conservation.
REQUIREMENTS:
A passion for primates and learning!
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
There is no application deadline and the course can be done at your own pace.
MORE INFORMATION:
You can find additional information and a course preview video on our website or by copying the following URL into your browser: www.paralatierra.org/primatology-online-course.
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:
Fundación Para La Tierra (PLT) is a Paraguayan conservation NGO focused on the conservation of Paraguay’s endangered habitats through scientific research, environmental education, and community engagement. PLT runs the country’s only long-term primate research project in the country and offers scientific research internships to aspiring primatologist. However, in response to the international travel restrictions currently in effect, we have moved our educational program online! To learn more about our organisation as a whole and the experiences we normally offer students that visit us in Paraguay, please have a look through our website www.paralatierra.org.