Program Requirements

Eligibility

Penn State undergraduate prerequisite: students must have a >3.0 cumulative GPA, entrance to given major (all majors accepted), and a third semester or beyond academic standing by summer 2023.

bioL 497 - selected topics: Global water sustainability (online course, mid-spring semester March 15-April 26, 2023; 4.0 credits)

This is a project-based learning course. International students will work together to complete a significant group project that provides essential background knowledge, an overview of relevant research, and key scientific skills to be applied in the field. The projects reflect the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability work with attention to the economic, political, social, cultural, and ecological factors that affect the Danube waterway.    

SC 497 - Global Conservation: Water Research on the Danube River (second-summer semester course, field practicum July 1-16, 2023; 4.0 credits)

Students must complete a two and one-half week field experience which includes (1) hands-on and group-based, international field research (CURE) including experimental design, data gathering, analysis and interpretation, and oral presentation on a given topic of societal concern related a water issue confronting Danube Delta; (2) training in specific field methods and techniques related to assigned CURE; (3) field exploration of select Romanian ecosystems; (4) upkeep of a scientific journal and lab notebook; (5) participation in group reflections and discussion forums and professional panels; (6) conservation service work (civic engagement); and (7) a post-trip online assignment project that encourages students personal and professional reflection of their course experiences.