Description

Ever wanted to visit Africa? Have an interest in science? Would you like to learn, hands-on, about field research in the Turkana Basin, one of the most remote and interesting areas in Kenya?

The Turkana Basin Institute is offering a full-semester Field Education Program at Lake Turkana, in northern Kenya, through Stony Brook University's Study Abroad program.

For over 40 years, the Leakey family - instructors for parts of this program - have pioneered human prehistory research in this immense and hauntingly beautiful region of Africa's Great Rift Valley, considered by many to be the "cradle of humanity."

Highlights

What you'll study

The field school will offer five course modules, and will provide 15 credits of 300-level coursework in Archaeology, Paleontology, Physical Anthropology and Geology (see summary of courses for detailed descriptions of these modules). All coursework will be taught in English.

The course modules offered are:

* Modern and Ancient Environments of Eastern Africa (ANP 304)
* Archaeology of the Turkana Basin (ANP 307)
* Geology of the Turkana Basin (GEO 303)
* Vertebrate Paleontology of the Turkana Basin (ANP 305)
* Paleoanthropological Discoveries of the Turkana Basin (ANP 306)

Where you'll stay

You'll be based out of TBI's research facilities at TBI Turkwel, which overlook the Turkwel River and some spectacular 3.5 million year fossil deposits. The facilities are fully equipped with laboratories, teaching area, comfortable accommodation and dining area. There is limited cell phone and internet connectivity on campus.

Activities

Field trips, lab exercises, and lectures throughout the Field Education Program will include the following:

* Field transects & landscape mapping
* Comparison of modern and prehistoric flora and fauna
* Hands-on experience with fossil prospecting, identification, and taphonomy
* Learning techniques of paleoenvironmental reconstruction
* Practical training in archaeological and paleontological survey and excavation techniques
* Field trips to important paleontological and archaeological sites, diverse ecological settings, and remarkable geological features throughout the Turkana Basin
* Labs and lectures covering the latest topics and most current research in the Turkana Basin
* Presentations on important human prehistory discoveries by senior paleoanthropologists

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

see below

Program Fees Include:

Program Fee: USD 5,500
Tuition per semester for NY residents: USD 2,635
Tuition per semester for non-residents: USD 7,360
Administrative Fee: USD 200
College Fee: USD 12.50

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 10-30

Application Process Involves

• Transcript
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

The Turkana Basin Institute at Stony Brook University's Mission Statement

The Turkana Basin Institute (TBI) is a collaborative program of inter-disciplinary scientific research working in affiliation with Stony Brook University, the National Museums of Kenya, the United States International University in Nairobi and others, to facilitate and support scientific research in the Turkana Basin in northern Kenya.

Year Founded

2004