Fall Quarter at Bodega Marine Lab

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 at Bodega Marine Laboratory
Peer Advising
Housing Information
Summer Classes at BML

Join us at Bodega Marine Laboratory for a full quarter of marine science!

Students must submit an application in order to be considered for Fall Quarter at BML. Applications are due April 25, 2025. 

The Fall quarter will be best for juniors and seniors in any of the Marine and Coastal Science major tracks, but we encourage students from other science majors to enroll as well. BML's Fall Quarter classes are only open to UC Davis students.

Course Offerings

Students who enroll in Fall Quarter at Bodega Marine Laboratory are expected to be in-residence at BML for the whole quarter (housing information is below). If accepted, you will be required to enroll in the following classes: Marine Microbial Ecology (EVE 198, 4 units), Marine & Coastal Field Ecology (ESP 124, 4 units), Marine Environmental Issues (ESP/EVE 111, 1 unit), and 3-4 research/internship units (e.g. 199s). See below for more information about each of the courses.

Location and Costs

Students who enroll in Fall Quarter at BML will stay at the Bodega Marine Laboratory Housing Facility unless they have other nearby accommodations. You will request housing within the official course application. Housing reservations are made for the full term. Students that sign up for room and meals will be billed through their UCD Student Account. The cost for housing at BML is $7,106 for Fall Quarter. 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,
  • Contributions to diversity and inclusion in sciences (including, but not limited to: being a member of an underrepresented group in sciences, and/or a first generation college student, and/or participating in efforts to improve diversity in science),
  • 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 Fall Quarter at Bodega Marine Laboratory, including questions about classes, housing, and scholarship information, please email Ellie Fairbairn.

Course Information for Fall 2025:

EVE 198 — Marine Microbial Ecology (4 units)

Course Description: The marine microbial ecology course (New class in EVE) will include a lecture and lab section and will be a survey of the field of marine microbial ecology through which students will learn methods in microbial ecology via field microbiological sampling, lab molecular techniques, and bioinformatics. Students in the course will participate in sampling for microbial communities, extracting DNA, preparing samples for sequencing, and analyzing data collected in previous years.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Laboratory 3 hour(s), Fieldwork 3 hour(s)
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

This course can be considered a focus or breadth course on the Marine Ecology & Organismal Biology track of the MCS major.

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.

This course can be considered a focus or breadth course on the Marine Ecology & Organismal Biology track of the MCS major.

ESP 111 — Marine Environmental Issues (1 unit)

Course Description: Examination of critical environmental issues occurring in coastal waters including the effects of climate change, overfishing, and other human impacts. Through readings and group discussions, students will develop an integrative understanding of the oceanographic and ecological processes.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated 2 time(s) when topic differs.
  • Cross Listing: EVE 111.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

This course counts for the MCS major.

Research/Internship Course (3 units)

Course Description: This optional course will involve either an internship at a lab within Bodega Marine Laboratory or an independent research project.

This course counts for the MCS major.