Coastal Course Roster
All students can explore, experience, and engage in coastal and ocean learning. Oregon State University academic programs offer a wide diversity of field-based courses hosted at the Hatfield Marine Science Center that immerse students in research, teaching, and hands-on fieldwork.
These courses accommodate different learning styles, schedules, and academic disciplines, offering opportunities for interested students to incorporate the ocean into their major.
See below for registration and general admissions information, especially for summer. See the summer tab under Courses by Term for more information.
Coming Soon!
A new search feature will let you filter courses by term, topic, and more – making it easier to find options that match your interests and learning needs!
Study at the Coast
At Hatfield, students engage in hands-on learning at the forefront of ocean and coastal research, policy, and management. Newport’s dynamic coastal environment and active working waterfront serve as a living laboratory where students translate classroom knowledge into real-world solutions. With access to expert faculty, a collaborative community, and state-of-the-art facilities, students gain the skills and experience needed for impactful careers dedicated to ocean stewardship.
- Course options are available every term – Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring.
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Diverse offerings allow students from all majors and class standings to fulfill degree requirements while studying at the coast.
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Explore various topics, including marine mammals, oceanography, phycology, science communication, art, marine and coastal ecosystems, sharks, human dimensions, and more!
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Learn from renowned ocean experts and expand your professional network.
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Gain field and lab experience to strengthen your resume across various disciplines.
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Join a community of ocean enthusiasts passionate about marine science.
Talk to your academic advisor about integrating a coastal experience course into your degree.
Students enrolled in coastal courses can choose to live on-site at Hatfield. Hatfield housing features apartment-style accommodations for students and faculty, with space for up to 100 residents. While living on campus, residents can access free laundry facilities, a social and dining hall area, and basketball and volleyball courts in the courtyard.
Students who prefer to commute can park for free at Hatfield Marine Science Center or take the Coast to Valley Express. This shuttle runs four trips between the Central Valley and Newport daily, with multiple pick-up locations, including OSU's McNary Hall.
MACO offers financial support to assist students and faculty with housing and transportation costs while being at the coast.
Various scholarships and financial assistance awards are available to help students pursue their academic interests and goals by providing support for housing, transportation, coursework, and more!
Field Housing:
Travel:
Academics and Others:
Courses by Term
Priority Registration and Housing Applications Open: April 14, 2025
Summer at Hatfield Marine Science Center offers the most diverse selection of marine and coastal courses, taught in short, intensive sessions of one, three, or four weeks. Taking summer courses at Hatfield provides students with an unparalleled hands-on learning experience, allowing them to step beyond the classroom and immerse themselves in Oregon’s dynamic coastal environments and communities.
Students develop practical skills in field research, data collection, science communication, conservation, art, and philosophy. Small class sizes ensure direct access to Hatfield’s expert faculty and researchers, fostering mentorship and collaboration. Whether engaging in coursework or other experiential learning opportunities, students become part of a vibrant, research-driven community that enhances both their academic and professional growth.
Summer Highlights:
- All students pay OSU in-state tuition.
- Live onsite in Hatfield Housing for easy access to classes.
- Summer housing is limited—apply early!
- Housing scholarships available through:
- Study at the Guin Library, the largest marine science library on the West Coast.
- Explore cutting-edge coastal and ocean research through weekly seminars and connect with leading research scientists.
- Learn about the travel options available for getting to the Hatfield campus, including the Coastal Travel Assistance Program through MACO.
- Course information is subject to change. Learn more about OSU's summer sessions here.
Anyone can take courses at the coast!
OSU Students: Talk to your advisor and contact MACO about how courses on the coast can advance your degree. Registration is identical to registration for all OSU classes.
Non-OSU students: We look forward to meeting you in Oregon! Many schools have tuition and credit transfer agreements with OSU. Please talk with your advisor and contact MACO for more information.
| Session 6: June 16 - June 20 (1 week) | Credits | Dates/Times |
|---|---|---|
| ART 360/460 - Creative Field Work | 4 |
Camp at Cape Perpetua Mon-Fri 9:00am - 6:30pm |
| PHL 472 - Thinking with Oceans | 4 |
Mon - Fri 8:00am - 4:30pm **Check back soon - Course listing pending!** |
| Session 2: June 23 - July 18 (4 weeks) | ||
| BOT 417/517 - Phycology | 4 |
Mon/Wed/Fri 8:00am - 11:50am |
| BI 353 - PNW Coastal Ecosystems | 4 |
Tue/Th 8:00am - 1:50pm |
| FW 289 - Communication Skills for FW Professionals | 4 |
Mon/Wed/Fri 1:00pm - 4:20pm |
|
OC 332 - Coastal Oceanography |
3 |
Tue/Th 2:00pm - 5:20pm Research Cruise: Sat 7/12 Departures: 8am and 1pm |
| Session 4: July 21 - August 15 (4 weeks) | ||
| Z 461 - Marine & Estuarine Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
Mon/Wed/Fri 8:00am - 11:50am |
| FW 302 - Biology and Conservation of Marine Mammals | 4 |
Tue/Th 8:00am - 12:50pm |
| FW 325 - Seeking Solutions to Global Crises in Resource Ecology | 3 |
Mon/Wed 12:30pm - 4:20pm |
| More courses coming soon! | ||
| Session 5: August 18 - September 5 (3 weeks) | ||
| FW 568 - Human Dimension of Marine Mammal Conservation | 4 |
Mon/Wed/Fri 8:00am - 12:50pm |
Opportunities for Research/ Internship
BI / ENSC / FW / OC 401 - Research and Scholarship credit available for all terms*
BI / ENSC / FW / OC / MAST 410 - Internship credit available for all terms*
*Contact your academic department advisor and MACO.
For a visual of the summer schedule please use this link.
Priority Registration: May 19, 2025
Fall 2025 planning is underway! Explore the 2024 course roster below for examples of past course offerings.
Fall term at Hatfield offers unique course structures, including full and hybrid courses within the super term, NEW five-week 5A Fall term course and more! Studying on the coast provides hands-on field experience in a small class environment, along with the opportunity to live on the Hatfield campus in the hear of the Oregon Coast. For commuting students, the Coast-to-Valley Shuttle and travel assistance are available.
| Super Term Extension Courses (9/11 - 12/13) | Credits | Dates/Times |
|---|---|---|
| FW 469 / 569 - Methods in Physiology and Behavior of Marine Megafauna | 3 | In-person requirement 9/19 - 9/21. Remainder of course completed online. |
| FW 426 / 526 - Coastal Ecology and Resource Management | 5 |
9/15 - 9/18 at Hatfield Remainder of course work done online |
| Fall 5A Term (9/25 - 11/1) | ||
| FW 457 / 557 - Biology, Ecology, and Conservation of Marine Mammals | 9 |
Mon/Th/Fri 9 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. Tu 9 a.m. - 3:50 p.m. |
| Regular Term (9/25 - 12/13) | ||
| FW 407 / 507 - Seminar: Marine Science | 1 | Th 3:30 - 4:20 p.m. |
| PAC 247 - Surfing | 1 | See class schedule |
Opportunities for Research/ Internship
BI / ENSC / FW / OC 401 - Research and Scholarship credit available for all terms*
BI / ENSC / FW / OC / MAST 410 - Internship credit available for all terms*
*Contact your academic department advisor and [email protected]
Priority Registration: November 17, 2024
| Course | Credits | Dates/Times |
|---|---|---|
| BI 111 - Introduction to Marine Life in the Sea: Marine Habitats | 1 | Weekends at Hatfield: 2/4-2/5, 2/18-2/19 or 3/4-3/5 |
Opportunities for Research/ Internship
BI / ENSC / FW / OC 401 - Research and Scholarship credit available for all terms*
BI / ENSC / FW / OC / MAST 410 - Internship credit available for all terms*
*Contact your academic department advisor and [email protected]
Priority Registration: February 24, 2025
Each spring, marine biology students live and study at Hatfield for OSU's BI 450 - Marine Biology and Ecology course. This 15-credit immersive experience allows students to fully engage - eat, sleep, breath - marine biology for ten weeks, dividing their time between lectures, coastal field studies, and hands-on work in the wet lab. Students observe, identify, and collect seaweed and invertebrates from the intertidal, trawl for fish aboard the R/V Elakha, and explore mudflats and estuaries, gaining real-world experience in marine research.
| Course | Credits | Dates/Times |
|---|---|---|
| BI 450 - Marine Biology and Ecology | 15 | At Hatfield over Spring Term: 3/31- 6/6 |
| BI 299/ENSC 299/SOC 299 - Coasts Compared - Aruba and Oregon | 3 | Collaborative Online International Learning Course (COIL) (3/31-6/6) |
| FW 113 - Introduction to Marine Life in the Sea: Marine Birds and Mammals | 1 | Weekends at Hatfield: 5/3-5/4 or 5/10-5/11 |
| FW 115 - Introduction of Sharks | 2 | Weekend field trip: 5/16-5/18 |
Opportunities for Research/ Internship
BI / ENSC / FW / OC 401 - Research and Scholarship credit available for all terms*
BI / ENSC / FW / OC / MAST 410 - Internship credit available for all terms*
*Contact your academic department advisor and [email protected]