BI 450/451 Marine Biology at Hatfield Marine Science Center
Each Spring Term, students take Oregon State University's 16-credit course in Marine Biology taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon. Although the course is designed for students with an interest in Marine Biology, it is an excellent field and laboratory course for any qualified students and does not assume a background in marine biology. Students wishing to take Marine Biology should be juniors or seniors that have taken one term of ecology course (BI 370 or equivalent) as well as other significant science coursework, but interested students should inquire if they foresee difficulties in meeting these requirements. Course admission is by application only, and students should be prepared for a challenging course.
Why take the course?
Marine Biology integrates field and laboratory experiences with what is taught in class. Many days during the term involve heading out to the field to collect data during a low tide, a lecture in the classroom, and work in the laboratory studying collected organisms. The training in general research methods, as well as field and laboratory techniques prepare students well for further undergraduate research, graduate work, or jobs. Furthermore, the small size of the course, and the long days allow for close interactions with professors and graduate students.
A past student had the following to say about the course:
"The Hatfield Marine Biology course was by far the most worthwhile course I have taken at Oregon State. From day one the course throws you directly into an quarter long series of lectures, field and lab activities, research projects and experiments that require a considerable amount of dedication, motivation, and effort from each student. The course was challenging and entertaining. As far as educational value, I probably took more information away from that course than from any other combination of 16 credit hours that I have taken thus far. The communal student living environment provided an opportunity to interact with my classmates on an hourly basis and I made many great friends throughout the experience. Instructors and T.A.'s were perpetually available to assist students in the lab or library and the Rogue Brewery and the Newport beach are just down the street for nighttime beer breaks, sunset walks, or surfing! Overall, it was an excellent learning experience that was definitely worth the hard work, and it was a ton of fun. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about marine biology at any level."
Thom Young
You can also read a blog and see a poster from last years class.
Topics Covered
Marine Biology is a comprehensive introduction to the flora and fauna of the marine environment. The sections of Marine Biology are taught sequentially with each topic covering between 1 and 2 weeks. During each section, students are taught by experts in each subject area and are able to interact closely with OSU faculty and graduate students at the Science Center.
The course covers the following subjects:
Marine Algae Marine Invertebrates Intertidal Community Ecology Estuarine and Coastal Dune Ecology Marine Conservation Marine Fishes
Housing
Hatfield Marine Science Center is too far from OSU for students to commute because Marine Biology often starts early and runs late. Students taking the course live in clean, affordable apartments at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. These apartments allow easy access to facilities such as the marine lab and library which are located down the street, as well as the experience of living on the Oregon Coast. In addition, the close proximity of these apartments to each other allow students to study and work together, and many students of the course form friendships that last long after leaving school. The apartments cost approximately $ 250 / month with two students, and less if there are more than two. Each apartment includes a kitchen where students prepare their own meals.
Cost
Students taking Marine Biology pay normal in-state tuition at OSU (regardless if they are in-state or out-of-state), a $25 lab fee, food and housing (see housing above).
What does the course count for?
If you are an OSU student, Marine Biology can be used to satisfy the following requirements:
Biology Students with a Marine Biology Option
Biology options require 21 credits beyond the basic Biology requirements. If you are in the Marine Biology Option, Marine Biology counts for 16 of the 21 credits required for the Track I Marine Biology Option (see the Marine Biology Checklist).
Environmental Science Students with an Aquatic Biology Specialization
If you are an Environmental Science student with an Aquatic Biology Specialization, Marine Biology fulfills 16 credits or your specialization (see the Aquatic Biology Checklist).
Biology, Environmental Science, and Other Majors without an Official Option
Contact your advisor for details on how and if the course will meet requirements for you major.
Applications and Further Information
Students interested in marine biology should contact Brock McLeod (mcleodb@science.oregonstate.edu or 541-737-2245), and/or stop by the Biology Office, Cordley 2042. Applications become available in each fall and are generally due at the end of October.