Explore an Ancient Land … Explore Australia!

RECM / FOR 345: Sustaining Human Societies and Natural Environments – 6 credits May 23 – June 17, 2010

Again this summer, University of Montana students can experience the amazing landscapes and wonderful people of Queensland, Australia. It’s a pleasantly warm and stable time of the year to hike in lush green rainforests, explore the remote Outback, and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. This 6 credit course offers the chance to visit some extraordinary natural environments, study the sustainable use of local resources, and interact with the local and Aboriginal peoples of Australia.

From unspoilt beaches, tropical rainforest, rugged mountain ranges and vast tracts of desert, Australia is a country of contrast. As the Australian landmass separated from the other continents over 50 million years ago, indigenous animals have developed a range of individual and unusual characteristics in a unique habitat. The result is a wealth of wildlife not found anywhere else in the world. In addition, Australia's ocean area contains one of the greatest arrays of marine biodiversity on earth.

We use an experiential education approach where students spend about a third of our time in the classroom and two-thirds traveling the stunning national parks, forests, wildlife reserves, coastlines, and islands of SE Queensland. We start with a bit under a week in the modern, sophisticated city of Brisbane, taking lectures from the faculty of the University of Queensland. Then, it’s out to go snorkel and explore the marine diversity of the Great Barrier Reef; investigate natural resource management, ecotourism and farming practices in the Outback; learn about Aboriginal culture and history through interactions with indigenous communities; and hike through the tropical rainforest of the Central Eastern Rainforest World Heritage Area to study the diverse wildlife and flora of Australia.

This program uses the theme of sustainable development to explore the relationship between people and their natural environment. In particular, we focus on the flora, fauna, and ecological processes of rainforest, outback woodlands, and reef ecosystems, as well as issues of coastal development, conservation management, agriculture, World Heritage, global climate change, and Aboriginal history and traditional use of resources. The course is suitable for all majors, led by University of Montana faculty, and counts towards Davidson Honors College requirements.

Check out what one student thought of the 2009 University of Montana/University of Florida program in this YouTube video: Study Abroad in Australia

About the Instructor

Bill Borrie is a Professor in the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana. His particular interests are in wilderness, National Parks, and protected area management. Bill has previously worked for Outward Bound and for the University of Melbourne, Australia. He has twice been selected by students as Faculty of the Year in the College of Forestry and Conservation.

Registration Information

The program cost is $4,960, which includes:

• tuition for 6 upper-division credits (with out-of-state students paying the same as in-state students), and
• a program fee (which covers accommodation at hostels and motels, group activities and excursions, emergency and international health insurance, in-country transportation, and some meals).

Airfare is not included, but an optional group airfare will be available from Los Angeles. The deadline for applications is mid March although we recommend people apply as early as possible. Application forms can be found on this website.

Interested students with specific questions can contact our office: studyabroad@cfc.umt.edu or Professor Bill Borrie at bill.borrie@umontana.edu