Frequently Asked Questions

Below are frequently asked questions we receive that might be helpful to you. If you have additional questions or would like more information, don't hesitate to contact us or stop into our peer advising hours!

Frequently asked questions:

Marine and Coastal Opportunities (MACO) is Oregon State University's central hub dedicated to connecting students and faculty with the Oregon Coast. As part of OSU's Office of Undergraduate Education, we serve as a hub of resources to connect students and faculty to experiential learning on the Oregon Coast through courses, clubs, degree pathways, research experiences, internships, financial assistance, and more.

We are not an OSU College nor do we offer our own courses or degree pathways; rather, we work with the academic departments OSU and other partner organizations across Oregon to develop opportunities and resources that provide greater access to students and faculty living and learning at the Oregon Coast. We also help faculty develop new courses at the coast, primarily at Hatfield Marine Science Center, and connect students with those experiential learning opportunities. 

MACO is here to help undergraduate students “put the ocean in their major," no matter their degree program. We connect students to marine-related internships, research opportunities, clubs, courses, awards, scholarships, career and professional development opportunities, degree pathways, and more. For example, we might connect a College of Engineering student to the Innovation Lab at Hatfield or recommend ocean-focused Core Education classes to an interested College of Education student.

Among our many resources, we maintain a Coastal Course Roster of courses occurring at Hatfield Marine Science Center throughout the year and a Course Search Filter students may use to search coastal courses at Hatfield by topic, modality, length of offering, etc. We also provide coastal travel assistance for students commuting between Corvallis campus and Hatfield Marine Science Center and offer financial assistance for students in need of housing at Hatfield for courses, independent work experience, and more.

Visit the For Students tab to get started!

Students of any major and non-degree seeking students can take courses at Hatfield Marine Science Center; however, classes are limited by spots and may require prerequisites. Contact your advisor for more information.

OSU Open Houses & Tours

  • OSU hosts Open House programs throughout the year for prospective students, such as Beaver Open Houses and Orange & Black Days. MACO participates in the resource fairs during these programs where we can talk with you more personally about the resources we offer. MACO also hosts group tours of Hatfield Marine Science Center during or adjacent to these dates. Registration is required and spots are competitive, so we encourage you to apply early.

    • We are unable to provide individual tours of Hatfield Marine Science Center due to staffing bandwidth and increased demand. However, you are welcome to go on a self-guided tour of Hatfield. The field campus is open to the public from 8 AM-5 PM, and the Marine Studies Building features a cafe, lobby, and occasional seminars and events open to the public. The Hatfield Visitor Center is open to the public Thursday-Monday, 10 AM- 4PM. Tickets are required. Group tours can be arranged for groups from academic institutions (i.e., a course field trip or student club). Please contact MACO to inquire. 

  • You can also take a general campus or college-specific tour.  If you have a specific question or need direction, please email us!

Explore Marine Career Pathways

Visit our newest web resource, Marine Career Pathways, to learn all that is possible within a certain career area of interest, such as aquaculture, marine mammalogy, maritime operations, etc. Take your interest to action with applicable courses, internships, scholarships, and more. Read interviews with real career professionals and learn how they wound up working in that industry!

Internships

  • JASPER (Journey for Aspiring Students Pursuing Ecological Research) aims to give students an opportunity to undertake field work, learn about data collection and analysis, as well as work and live as part of a team of diverse individuals is a unique experience that can influence and shape future careers and lives. As such, engagement of young science enthusiasts has always been a goal of the gray whale foraging ecology project (TOPAZ), which is why the field season team always comprises 3-4 undergraduate and/or local high school students. Applications are usually due in early April, check the MMI Employment page for more information. Keep in mind that applicants under 18 years of age must adhere to the minimum age requirements for student employment at OSU and may not be eligible for this time-intensive internship. Reach out to the hiring contact listed on the job posting to discuss eligibility.

  • Friends of Otter Rock offers internships for up to 10 high school students. This is a great opportunity for students to share their passion for the ocean, marine wildlife, and conservation with visitors from around the world and expand their knowledge and communication skills.

  • Oregon Coast STEM Hub offers workshops and events for students, including high school students. Please email the contact for more information.  

Marine Science Youth Programs

  • Oregon Sea Grant has many great marine education programs for students K-12th grades. Check out their website for summer programs, Career Day, workshops and competitions, and lab and field experiences. They have educational opportunities throughout the year, including marine science summer programs.

  • Maritime Exploration and Training Program: Run by Oregon Sea Grant and Oregon State University's Office of Marine Operations, this program is a 5-day hands-on workshop for current high school students, 16 years old or older, and recent graduates from Lincoln County and nearby areas. This workshop will be held July 27th -31st at Hatfield Marine Science Center and will provide basic seamanship skills, including at-sea practice on small and mid-sized vessels, and connections to maritime employers.

Volunteering

  • The Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center accepts volunteers to work in their visitor center and engage the public in learning about marine science. Shifts are half-day, and volunteers are asked to commit to at least two shifts per month. 

  • The Oregon Coast Aquarium accepts volunteers, both adult and youth. Visit the youth volunteers page for more information regarding availability and eligibility.

OSU Academics

  • Anyone may take courses at Hatfield Marine Science Center, even non-OSU students. However, certain courses may have prerequisites, be major-specific, and/or cannot accommodate minors due to field safety concerns and time intensity. If your student is interested in taking courses at Hatfield, please contact our Academic Development Coordinator, Angela Cicia.

  • If you want to pursue a marine-related degree, check out our page and the OSU Admissions page for the range of options and contact prospective program advisors. 

Hatfield Marine Science Day:

  •  Marine Science Day happens every April at Hatfield Marine Science Center. This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. There is no registration required - just show up. This is a great way for students to see the variety of interdisciplinary marine studies and careers available, and learn of even more youth programs to get involved in.

Precollege programs

  • The Office of Precollege Programs supports and oversees a wide range of youth outreach activities designed to increase college access and academic preparation for Oregon’s youth. Academic programs and youth camps provide pathways to higher education and offer opportunities to enhance college readiness and career awareness.

There are so many ways to get involved with the ocean and coasts as a current undergraduate student, and we are here to help! Explore the MACO website, drop into our peer advising hours, apply for scholarship and award opportunities, reach out to professors, attend club meetings, take marine-related Core Education courses, and get out to the coast with a coastal course! There is no wrong way to become involved. Take advantage of the many resources offered to you while at OSU. MACO can help guide you in the direction best for your learning, interests, and career. Here are some places to start:

  • Join a marine-related club: Even if your class schedule doesn’t currently allow for marine-related classes, joining a marine-related club can put you in touch with the Oregon Coast through volunteer experiences, field trips, community, and much more. Check out our list of a few marine-related clubs!  

  • Explore Marine Career Pathways: visit our newest web resource, Marine Career Pathways, to learn what is possible within a certain career area of interest, such as aquaculture, marine mammalogy, maritime operations, etc. Take your interest to action with applicable courses, internships, scholarships, and more. Read interviews with real career professionals and learn how they wound up working in that industry!

If you’re still not quite sure where to start, drop into our peer advising hours or contact us! 

While our focus is supporting undergraduates at OSU in cultivating their marine-focused careers, we do have a few resources for graduate students. Our Coastal Travel Assistance program is available to graduate students commuting to Hatfield for research, lab meetings, professional development, etc. Many Hatfield Marine Science Center scholarships are available for graduate students as well. View our Graduate Programs page for more resources. 

OSU has many opportunities to study, volunteer, or work at various locations along the coast and in Corvallis!  These OSU-affliated research centers include Oregon Sea Grant, Hinsdale Wave Lab, Port Orford Field Station, and many more. These centers and institutes typically involve collaborations between OSU faculty and public agency partners. Students are encouraged to utilize these collaborations to volunteer or work in areas of research related to their interests and expand their professional network. Contact these programs directly or connect with MACO for support.

OSU hosts Open House programs throughout the year for prospective students, such as Beaver Open Houses and Orange & Black Days. During these program dates, MACO participates in the resource fairs and hosts group tours of Hatfield Marine Science Center during or adjacent to these dates. Registration is required and spots are competitive, so we encourage you to apply early. Please see the OSU Open House webpage for more information.

We are unable to provide individual tours of Hatfield Marine Science Center due to staffing bandwidth and increased demand. However, you are welcome to take a self-guided tour of Hatfield. The field campus is open to the public from 8 AM-5 PM on weekdays, and the Marine Studies Building features a cafe, lobby, and occasional seminars and events open to the public. The Hatfield Visitor Center is open to the public Thursday-Monday, 10 AM- 4PM. Tickets are required. Group tours can be arranged for groups from academic institutions (i.e., a course field trip or student club excursion). Please contact MACO to inquire. 

You may also take a general campus or college-specific tour on Corvallis campus.  If you have a specific question or need direction, please email us!