Semester by the Sea (SBTS)

A program of Florida Atlantic University's Department of Biological Sciences and FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

Spend a "Semester by the Sea"(SBTS) at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, Florida on the shores of the Indian River Lagoon, one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America. FAU Harbor Branch provides an unforgettable learning environment that couples small class sizes, hands-on lab instruction and intensive field studies in subtropical marine ecosystems.

two people looking at machinery on a boat
a tree in the ocean shoreline
Study topics include:
  • the subtropical biodiversity and ecology of seagrasses, reefs and mangroves
  • techniques and applications of molecular biology in marine systems
  • techniques integral to aquaculture of important species
  • the fundamentals of physical chemical oceanography

SBTS students have the opportunity to attain research skills and knowledge that provide a strong foundation for a career in marine biology and for excelling in graduate programs.

FAU Harbor Branch faculty are leaders in their fields, which include marine mammals, oysters, aquaculture, coral, seagrass, mangroves, macroalgae, and marine natural products drug discovery. SBTS students learn from and study with the best.

Registration Procedures

Admission to the program is open to undergraduates from any institution of higher learning.

To apply for admission to Semester By The Sea, complete the on line application:

fau.edu/hboi/education-and-outreach/undergraduate-programs/

For further information please contact Dr. Joshua Voss, FAU Harbor Branch Director of Collegiate Education, at jvoss2@fau.edu.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

The recommended program of study consists of three core courses (12 credits) and one elective course (3 or 4 credits). Exploring the Ocean, an oceanographic experience for undergraduates, is also highly recommended (3 credits), and involves going to sea for several days for intensive studies.

CORE COURSES

See complete course descriptions at: fau.edu/hboi/education-and-outreach/undergraduate-programs/

  • Marine Science (3 credit lecture), OCE 4006
  • Marine Biodiversity (3 credit lecture and 1 credit lab), OCB 4032, OCB 4032L
  • Marine Ecology (3 credit lecture and 1 credit lab), OCB 4633, OCB 4633L
ELECTIVES (students typically take 1-2 electives)
  • Indian River Lagoon Experience (3 credits), BSC 4930
  • Aquaculture Practices and Impacts (3 credit lecture), BSC 4930
  • Marine Microbiology and Molecular Biology (3 credit lecture and 1 credit lab), OCB 4525, OCB 4525L

During SBTS, students have the option of living on the FAU Harbor Branch research site or staying off-campus in nearby Vero Beach or Fort Pierce.

Apartment-style housing, with full cooking facilities, is available on campus. For students who prefer to live off campus, the nearby communities have a wide variety of rooms, cottages, apartments and houses, spanning a range of prices.

For more information on Harbor Branch housing, please contact:

FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
5600 U.S. 1 North
Fort Pierce, FL 34946
Email: HBOI_housing@fau.edu
Phone: (772) 242-2400

sketched map showing southeastern Florida towns
Additional Information
Florida Atlantic's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute engages with the community through the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center and the Ocean Science Lecture Series. Harbor Branch’s research and outreach programs translate marine science in order to provide solutions that improve economies and quality of life for coastal communities.
Visit Harbor Branch Giving
Address
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Florida Atlantic University
5600 US 1 North
Fort Pierce, FL 34946