Vol. 18, No. 27	April 15, 1999

Students can apply to study at Biosphere 2

Biosphere 2, a 7.2 million-cubic-foot, sealed glass and spaceframe structure, sits in the Arizona desert just 30 miles north of Tucson looking like something on another planet.

In fact, that's exactly what the huge greenhouse complex was supposed to be. Biosphere 2 (Earth is Biosphere 1) was originally built in the early 1990s by Fort Worth billionaire Edward P. Bass as the first step toward the human colonization of Mars.

A crew of eight was to live off the land in the glass structure housing a rain forest, cottonwood forest, estuary, ocean, savanna and a desert.

The team lived isolated within the Biosphere from 1991-93. But their isolation had to be compromised when oxygen levels dropped and nitrous oxide levels rose. The dome became unlivable and the experiment was scrapped.

Bass offered Biosphere 2 free to Columbia University as a research project. Columbia accepted in 1995, corrected the problems that made the building uninhabitable and began partnering with other schools. Last December, UD became one of those partners and now students and faculty at UD can apply to spend a semester studying there.

Under the partnership agreement, UD can select five undergraduates each semester to take courses. Earth and Universe semesters are offered during the fall and spring. Earth semester consists of 16 hours of interdisciplinary subjects addressing the consequences of human impact on the global environment and strategies for limiting that impact. Universe semester is an intensive program in astronomy and astrophysics for astronomy students and liberal arts majors who are interested in studying astronomy. Students also can do research in conjunction with their courses. During the summer, field schools and the Summer Biodiversity Institute give environment and astronomy students a chance to examine what they are studying with trips to places like the Grand Canyon, Sea of Cortez, Petrified Forest and Colorado River.

Project coordinator, Allan Fanjoy, international programs and special sessions, said students selected for Biosphere through the UD partnership would receive a 28 percent discount on Columbia tuition for the fall and spring semesters and 10 percent for summer sessions. In addition, Fanjoy said three Delaware residents applying for each spring and fall session become eligible for a state of Delaware award of $5,000 each. For strongest consideration, students should apply by April 23, for the fall semester and by September for next spring.

"Like our study abroad programs, this partnership offers our undergraduates a significant opportunity to immerse themselves in unique learning resources that supplement their experiences and broaden their horizons beyond the Newark campus," Fanjoy said.

To see Biosphere 2 and learn more about it, access its website at <http://www.bio2.edu/>.

For Biosphere 2 applications, contact Allan Fanjoy at 831-2853 or e-mail <fanjoy@udel.edu>. Applications for the fall semester must be received by April 23.

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