This is a field program that explores the relationship between people and their natural environment. Queensland is home to lush green rain forests, the remote Outback, and the spectacular marine diversity of the Great Barrier Reef. Students spend about 70% of their time traveling the stunning national parks, forests, wildlife reserves, coastlines, and islands of North Queensland under the guidance of field professionals. A typical itinerary includes snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, hiking in the rainforest, and studying wildlife of the dry woodlands. This year, the group will be spending three days on Lady Elliot Island (days 20-23), an island in the Great Barrier Reef where snorkeling is among the best in the world and has been little impacted by the recent coral reef bleaching. Students will also spend time hiking in Binna Burra (days 5-6) and will get to experience Bungalow Bay Koala Village (days 7-10) on Magnetic Island. The course can count as a Biology course (BIO 356, 4 credits) and as an elective for the Environmental Science and Environmental Studies minors.

Summer Session 1: May 19th – June 11th, 2025
Please note, you will likely need to leave the US 2 days prior to the start date to arrive on schedule. 

Get a feel for what you’ll experience in Australia through this video by 2018 program alumna Sarah Graham.

Wake Forest University’s Ecology & Resource Management summer program is based in Queensland, Australia. The Australian portion of the program starts in Brisbane and explores the vast ecological diversity of the area before flying to Townsville, the unofficial capital of northern Queensland. The location provides an ideal setting for students to explore topics related to rainforest diversity, Great Barrier Reef management and conservation, and human-ecosystem interaction in the Australian natural environment.

BIO 356: Ecology and Resource Management (4hrs)
Intensive field oriented course focusing on ecosystems, natural resource management and environmental conservation in Australia. Students travel to major biomes including sub-tropical rainforests, coral reefs and dry woodlands. Laboratories are field-based, with some consisting of student-designed field projects.

This is a field program that explores the relationship between people and their natural environment. Queensland is home to lush green rain forests, the remote Outback, and the spectacular marine diversity of the Great Barrier Reef. Students spend about 70% of their time traveling the stunning national parks, forests, wildlife reserves, coastlines, and islands of North Queensland under the guidance of field professionals. A typical itinerary includes snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, hiking in the rainforest, and studying wildlife of the dry woodlands. This year, the group will be spending three days on Lady Elliot Island, an island in the Great Barrier Reef where snorkeling is among the best in the world and has been little impacted by the recent coral reef bleaching.  The course can count as a Biology course (BIO 356, 4 credits) and as an elective for the Environmental Science and Environmental Studies minors.

Michael Anderson
Associate Professor of Biology
Telephone: (336) 758 5974
E-mail: anderstm@wfu.edu

Students will be housed at various field sites; accommodations may include lodges and hotels. Some meals will be arranged by the program, others will be the responsibility of the student (ex. local restaurants)

NOTE: All students participating in the WFU Australia: Ecology and Resource Management program are required to live in program-provided housing. Housing accommodations you may have on campus do not automatically transfer to abroad and certain housing accommodations (single rooms and private bathrooms, for example) may not be available.

• Good academic standing
• Interest in ecology and resource management

The total cost of summer study abroad can be broken down into four categories:

• Program Fee – Usually covers room, in-country travel, excursions, some meals and other costs associated with the program.
• Tuition – Students on WFU summer programs pay WFU summer school tuition per credit hour. The 2025 summer rate was $950/per credit hour. 
• Airfare (estimated) – Varies per location. Students are responsible for their own airfare unless otherwise noted.
• Personal Expenses (estimated) – These will vary depending on the students’ spending habits, cost of living in the destination country, and the number of meals included in the program fee. This may also include visa fees, vaccinations, academic supplies/books and other miscellaneous daily expenses.

Billed by Wake Forest:
Program Fee (estimated) – $7,735
Tuition (4hrs) – $3,800
                       +
Personal costs (will fluctuate per student spending and location):
Airfare – $1,848 (group flight cost from Los Angeles to Australia) + personal travel cost to Los Angeles (flight from originating destination to Los Angeles is not included in the $1,848 group flight cost)
Personal Expenses (estimated) – $765

Estimated total cost – $14,148

Scholarships are available through the Center for Global Programs and Studies.

Additionally, Sullivan Scholarships may be available for students participating on this program. Awards up to $2,500.

Passport Information
Students need to check their passport’s expiration date and ensure that it will be valid for at least 6 months after the program’s end date.

Students going on a summer program need to make sure their passport is valid through at least mid-February of the following year.

US passport holders who need to renew their passport should visit the U.S. Department of State’s passport website for information on this process.

Non-US passport holders who need to renew their passport should refer to their home country’s passport office.

Visa Information
If you are a US citizen, you most likely will not require a visa for your summer abroad program. If you do, details will be shared with you by GPS. Non-US passport holders should check with their host country’s embassy or consulate to find out if a visa is required for their program or not.

Michael Anderson
Associate Professor of Biology
(336) 758 5974
anderstm@wfu.edu

Amanda Batten 
Study Abroad Advisor
Center for Global Programs and Studies
(336) 758 3194
battena@wfu.edu