UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Antarctica has been described as the “coldest, windiest, driest, highest, quietest, most remote and least understood continent on Earth.” For more than 200 years, scientists and explorers have worked to unlock its mysteries.

Penn State students will have the chance to explore this unique region of the world through a new embedded course, “Antarctica: Human Impacts on a Fragile Environment,” offered in the fall 2023 semester.

Ag Sciences Global and the Environmental Resource Management program in the College of Agricultural Sciences are developing the course curriculum in partnership with the Center for Global Engineering Engagement. Penn State faculty are working with American Universities International Programs along with the State University of New York-Brockport and Virginia Tech, both of which have previously offered the course. This is the first embedded course with travel to Antarctica offered at Penn State.

“We are excited to offer the opportunity to investigate the impacts of climate change and scientific discoveries in Antarctica to undergraduate students,” said Robert Shannon, Environmental Resource Management program coordinator. “Antarctica is a true wild area with the potential to transform those who experience the vast white landscape. Chance encounters with whales, penguins and seabirds will be magnificent to see.”

Shannon, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering, said the course will provide a broad overview of the continent’s human and natural history. Special attention is given to Antarctica’s physical and ecological systems, human activity in the region, sustainable tourism, and the use of fragile polar resources.

During the pre-trip course, students attend weekly lectures, write two short essays, complete a midterm project and final essay exam, and submit an annotated bibliography of their field course readings.

During winter break, the students experience a two-week field excursion, by plane and ship, to Antarctica, where they will explore sites such as the Beagle Channel, which is inhabited by black-browed albatrosses, Magellanic penguins, skuas, different varieties of seagulls and Alakush ducks.

The ship will continue its course to the Antarctic Peninsula, during which travelers will view icebergs and land at various points, including coves, inlets, islands and bays. Wildlife is abundant during this season: penguins, seals, whales and orcas all are likely to appear during the journey.

If weather permits, the ship travels around Cape Horn, the rocky headland on Hornos Island in southern Chile’s Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Cape Horn marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet.

Course participants will be encouraged to join the college’s Sustainable and Accessible Study Abroad initiative, which helps students to incorporate sustainable practices into their study abroad experiences by supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“For students and faculty who are participating in international travel, we want to provide resources about how they can reduce their carbon footprint and minimize their environmental impact when traveling,” said Ketja Lingenfelter, assistant director for student global engagement in the College of Agricultural Sciences, “We are pleased to add Antarctica to our growing portfolio of global learning opportunities.”

Examples of putting the idea of SASA into practice include ERM students collaborating with State College Borough on a rain garden maintenance project. The collaboration also included planting and maintenance at Walnut Springs. Faculty and students are looking forward to partnering with Centre County agencies again this fall on community projects to offset carbon for study abroad.

While planning for the course continues, students interested in learning more can contact Tammy Shannon, Environmental Resource Management academic advising coordinator, at tmb5352@psu.edu or Lingenfelter at ketja@psu.edu. More information about the study abroad program, available through Ag Sciences Global, can be found online.