Immersed in Learning

What does it mean to learn marine science by doing? For students in the inaugural Fall Quarter at Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML), it meant using a clam gun to reveal burrowing invertebrates in the mudflats, tagging coho salmon to help monitor wild fish populations, and practicing the slow, stealthy skill of catching sculpin with bare hands. For Alan Cortez Aguilar and Joey Fischer (Marine and Coastal Science majors) and Corey Kwan (Pre-Vet track), spending a Fall Quarter at BML wasn’t just about taking classes - it was about becoming part of a close-knit scientific community where learning happens everywhere: in the lab, knee-deep in the mud and out on the water.

There Is No “Typical Day”

Adjusting to life at BML means stepping into a completely new rhythm—one shaped by shifting tides, unpredictable weather and the kind of hands-on learning that can’t be replicated in a lecture hall. The shift from a big, bike-friendly campus in inland California to a field station perched on the bluffs at land’s end can be drastic, but it comes with incredible opportunities. 

Instead of separate, disconnected classes, professors worked together to create a curriculum where everything builds on itself. One day, students might be studying microbial ecology in the classroom and the next day they’re out in the field, collecting samples for those lessons. A discussion on ocean chemistry doesn’t end when class is over—it carries into the next course, the next field trip and the next experience. Learning at BML is something students live every day, whether they’re analyzing data in the lab, wading through eelgrass beds or spotting whales on the horizon.

Small Community, Big Impact

With only five students, being part of the first cohort of Fall Quarter classes at BML was an exclusive experience—but it also fostered a tight-knit community. The small group allowed for close collaboration with professors, hands-on research opportunities, and meaningful connections with faculty, graduate students, and staff. Whether in the lab, on field trips, or during casual discussions over meals, students were constantly engaging with experts and gaining real-world insights into careers in science. While the 2025 cohort is expected to be larger, it will still offer the same level of mentorship and immersive learning that made the inaugural year so impactful.

Discovering the Coast

Beyond the classroom and laboratory, there was plenty to explore. The mudflats were a universal favorite: where boots slurp through silty mud and the entire landscape shifts each time the tide goes in or out. Every step reveals tiny creatures hidden beneath the surface, “You just dig anywhere or scoop up something and you find life there... It evokes this almost childlike wonder” Corey said.

Postponing homework to the late afternoons and evenings, the students often spent their sunrise hours exploring the vibrant intertidal zone, where the ocean meets land and scores of marine critters wait to be discovered, or following the numerous trails on and around the Bodega Marine Reserve. Joey’s favorite spot to walk was the trail that wraps around Bodega Head, where “You get this massive cliff drop, and you can see all these birds nesting on the side of it, and the way that the light hits it, it's just so incredibly beautiful."

Is Fall Quarter For You?

For Corey, Alan, Joey, and their classmates, the Fall Quarter at BML was more than just another academic term—it was an experience that reshaped their perspectives on science, research, and their own futures. From tidepool explorations to hands-on conservation work, every day brought new discoveries. The small, tight-knit community fostered mentorship and meaningful connections, while the ever-changing coastal landscape made for an unforgettable backdrop to their studies.

For students considering the program, their advice is simple: take the leap. “You should just apply. Don’t be afraid of it, because you’re going to learn something,” Alan says. Corey agrees, adding, “Keep an open mind—if you have even the slightest interest, you’ll find something that resonates with you.”

For those ready to embrace the adventure, the Fall Quarter at BML offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore marine science firsthand.