Fall Quarter Marine Ecology

A group of students standing on rocks along the beach. They are slightly silhouetted as they hold their arms out and look down at the water.

Fall Quarter Marine Ecology Including 9 Days at Bodega Marine Lab

Students who enroll in Marine and Coastal Field Ecology (ESP 124) during Fall 2026 are expected to be in-residence at BML from September 14, 2026 – September 22, 2026. Enrollment in ESP 124 requires an application to BML, available on this page starting in January 2026. While in residence, students will explore the diverse marine habitats along the Northern California coast. Past field trips have included catching fish in estuaries, exploring coastal prairies, digging up shellfish in mudflats, visiting a salmon hatchery, banding birds, and sampling the ocean from a boat. The 9-day residence at BML will be followed by on-campus lectures during the Fall quarter. See the bottom of this page for additional course details.

Course Offering

Students who enroll in Marine and Coastal Field Ecology (ESP 124) during Fall 2026 are expected to be in-residence at BML from September 14, 2026 – September 22, 2026. While in residence, students will explore the diverse marine habitats along the Northern California coast. This will be followed by on-campus lectures during the Fall quarter.

Location and Costs

Students who enroll in ESP 124 will stay at the Bodega Marine Laboratory Housing Facility from September 14-22, 2026 unless they have other nearby accommodations. You will request housing within the official course application. Students who sign up for a room and meals will be billed through their UCD Student Account. The cost for housing at BML for this period is $954. Rooms are double-occupancy with private bath. Home-cooked breakfasts and dinners are served cafeteria style in the Housing Enclave Dining Hall. Students may assemble a sack lunch from luncheon food provided after each breakfast.

More information about BML Housing

Tuition will be the same as an on-campus Fall quarter, and Financial Aid will apply.

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships will be available to help offset the cost of room and board at Bodega Marine Laboratory Housing Facility. To apply for these scholarships, students must provide a statement as part of their course application that addresses the following criteria:

  • Financial need, and how enrolling in BML courses may be difficult due to financial circumstances,
  • Academic excellence, and
  • The role and importance of BML courses in pursuing their degree programs and career trajectory.

Students will be considered for all scholarships that they qualify for. Scholarship applications will be reviewed by a committee of faculty; students receiving awards will be notified prior to the start of course registration. Please note that students who receive a scholarship will not receive funds directly; funds will be used towards the cost of BML Housing.

If you have any questions about ESP 124 during Fall Quarter at Bodega Marine Laboratory, including questions about the class, housing, and scholarship information, please email Ellie Fairbairn.

Applications are Currently Closed

If you have questions about Fall 2026, please reach out to Ellie Fairbairn.

Course Description:

ESP 124 — Marine & Coastal Field Ecology (4 units)

Course Description: Ecology of marine populations and communities living in diverse habitats along the California coast. Hands-on learning using scientific process and tools of the biological trade to address ecological questions arising during field trips.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Laboratory 1 hour(s), Fieldwork 5 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
A collage of two images, the upper image shows several students on a boat, posing for a selfie. The lower image shows three students exploring tidepools as the sun comes up, illuminating them and the rocks they're standing on.
Images courtesy of Brendan Tang and Sean Godwin