African Savannah Biology – BIOL 497

This is a discovery and innovation course in which students are going to experience the pristine world of the Serengeti ecosystem and then undertake innovative research that you have developed. You will be taught the scientific method and how to ask scientific questions that arise from the principles of ecology and do this in wild Africa. 

Students will be taught science how to write a work proposal, how to undertake the work and then present a scientific report.  You will also be taught science communication, learn how to capture high quality wildlife images with professional camera and how to process and use those images. You will be taught how to make short research videos suitable for YouTube and how to present your project to peers and the public. 

You will experience the full natural history of the Serengeti ecosystem that embrace multiple aspects of biology and learn how to integrate knowledge. Many of the students that come on this course decide on their career trajectories be it in health, animal sciences or research.

The course embraces multiple components of biology and allows students to integrate much of what they have learned in their previous courses, all while discovering the beauty and majesty of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in southern Kenya. This class focuses on field ecology, integrates components of biology, and shows how students can present their work to peers and the general public. The field study involves basic practice such as collecting ecological data and analyzing it with respect to a question. Students will become familiar with components of outreach, interact with local Maasai villages and learn how to capture images, take videos and use these media approaches to illustrate a concept and produce a short film.

The field course will take place in a remote camp of the Masai Mara where students will undertake their projects and learn about science, ecology, data collection, analysis, and presentation. The camp was built by Peter Hudson and colleagues to be a secure location for education and experiencing the Masai Mara. We passed the ownership of the camp to the local Maasai to generate income to pay for the Maasai children to go to school and to receive a free meal. 

Students will be working in groups of 4 and during the day they will be with an experienced Maasai driver and guide. During the evening, the camp is guarded by Maasai guards and students are safe at all times. 

The overarching aim of this course is for students to integrate the pieces of biological knowledge they have been taught and to place this knowledge within the broad ecological context of the African Savannah. Where better than to undertake this course than the cradle of humanity? and the one place where wildlife can be observed and recorded with ease? We shall be staying and visiting the northern part of the Serengeti, that is in Kenya and is known as the Maasai Mara. 

Indigenous people have a major role to play in determining the future of wildlands and how their knowledge and ownership shape the preservation and management of these lands. A fundamental component of understanding biology in the wild is to appreciate how people, in particular indigenous people, interact with nature, so in addition to the Maasai camp guides and guards you will interact with the local Maasai, learn some Swahilli and have what we think will be one of your best experiences at Penn State.

Check out what students experience in Kenya - in 360° video:
Immersive 4K videos from BIOL 497: African Savannah Biology 

Scholarships

BIOL 497 students are eligible to apply for the following scholarships (among many other financial opportunities), some depending on students' individual circumstances:

• Embedded Programs Scholarship ($1,000) from the Penn State Office of Global Programs
• Science Global Experiences Scholarship ($250-$1,000+) from the Office of Science Engagement
• Global Student Access & Success Scholarships ($500-$2,000) from the Office of Global Programs
• Schreyer Ambassador Travel Grant (variable amount) for students in the Schreyer Honors College

Applications

Apply through the BIOL 497 Qualtrics application here

Next offered over Winter Break 2025-26

Applicants will upload a 3-5 minute video explaining why you want to come on this field course, what experience you have had watching and studying wildlife, and what is the most exciting feature of the course for you. We want to see your passion for Science, Biology, and working in a remote wild location. We also want variation in students experiences and majors and time at Penn State – this course is for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Basic Info

View the Syllabus

1. When does the course run?

The on-campus 3-credit course starts on the first day of Fall classes, including preparation activities at University Park before we travel to Kenya. Students will leave on December 26^th 2024 and we must all meet in a hotel (TBA) in Nairobi on December 27^th. We will return to Nairobi on ~January 9^th 2026 and we will fly out that evening with overnight flights back to the USA. There will be some follow-up meetings during the following Spring semester in which people will make presentations and get feedback on their final projects.

2. When will I be able to apply for the course?

Applications will be considered until May 15.

3. What is the cost of the course?

Approximately $6000 which covers the cost of everything. The cost of flights is highly variable but we plan to make selection as early as possible so you can book flights early.

4. What is the application process?

Complete an application form online that will be available in March. These will be assessed and accepted candidates will be selected continuously throughout the application period until 20 students are accepted and the roster is full. We seek individuals keen on natural history, seeking field experience, and those interested in relevant fieldwork research careers. Some candidates will be interviewed.

5. What prerequisite courses do I need to have taken?

We would prefer students to have taken either an introductory Ecology course (such as BIOL 220W), an anthropology course or an Animal science course. Other introductory life science courses (i.e. BIOL 110) will also be considered.

Important Info Regarding the Field Course in Kenya

6. Will I need a visa and passport?

You will need a valid passport with more than 6 months left on it before its expiration. Make sure your passport is not damaged.  You can apply online for an e-visa after acceptance into the course; we strongly recommend you to do this and not wait until arrival. Do not take the added insurance they offer and we shall provide you with the website address. Be warned there are many agents offering visas and these may have add-on costs.

7. What vaccines and medicines do I need to consider?

We follow CDC guidelines as recommendations on their website:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya

You must be COVID vaccinated, Measles, hep A and hep B, Typhoid are recommended. Yellow Fever is now optional. Rabies is your choice but not necessary although we strongly recommend that you do not touch or pick up mammals such as bats. Malaria prevention pills are at your discretion, and we recommend you follow the advice of your personal physician. We will be in a remote camp away from human habitation where there could be some mosquitoes and you should actively cover up with long sleeves and pants and shoes (no sandals) in the evening to mitigate risk. Take particular care when overnighting in Nairobi and use mosquito nets and insect repellant as supplied. You should be up to date with Tetanus.

8. What can I expect living in the African bush? 

   Living in the African bush is very exciting and at night you will hear hyaenas call, hear elephants grazing, hippos will pass your tent and you can often hear the roar of lions. You will have a Maasai guard (Askari) allocated to your tent who will sit outside all night and prevent animals from getting too close and ensure you are safe. You must not leave your tent when it is dark without being accompanied by your guard and he will take you to the main tent at dawn and return you after dinner. He will be always close by during the night so you can call him at any time and in an (extremely unlikely) emergency you will have a whistle or bell in your tent. Of course there are mosquitoes, snakes and bugs but it is highly unlikely you will see one or have an encounter. Nevertheless every tent is sealed with strong zips and you should ensure all zips are kept closed at all times. You must not wear shoes in the tent but you will have a porch area where you can sit and take off your shoes – but keep the shoes in the tent with you. This is all just sensible bush craft and the camp staff and your tutors will give orientation and can answer any questions.

9. Do I need to be physically fit and how much walking is there?

There is very little walking and you don’t need to be fit – but you must be prepared to sit in vehicles for periods of up to 6 hours at a time

10. Can I come if I am disabled?

Yes, we have one tent laid out for disabled people. You must be happy sitting in an aircraft for 9 plus hours and be able to sit in a vehicle driving across rough terrain; we’re often thrown about in the vehicle when they go over pot holes although the drivers are very experienced and capable, and we have drivers experienced with working with disabled people. We have travelled with disabled people before and this has been highly rewarding for all. We can even put you in touch with one of these people if you wish to discuss it with them. Please feel free to discuss this with Dr. Peter Hudson: pjh18@psu.edu

Instructors

Dr. Peter Hudson, Willaman Professor of Biology