Skip to main content
Find Your Program
David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies
Give Back

Marine Biology: Pacific Northwest

Dates: 1 May–17 June 2023 (approx.)
Application Deadline: 15 December 2022
Apply Now

The Pacific Northwest coast is one of the most majestic and beautiful coastlines in the world. It is also one of the best-studied by marine biologists. We will travel throughout the region, making an in-depth study of the biology that lives along its shores, from sea stars to sea lions. See this video tour that includes many of the sites we will visit.

We will use the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB), located in Coos Bay, Oregon, as our home base for much of the trip. Students will visit rocky, sandy, and muddy shores to study the ecology of these systems in depth. The focus of this program will be on field research. Students will gain knowledge and experience in research methods in marine biology/ecology and will participate in research projects directed by Dr. Griffen. The program will be ideal preparation for those considering graduate school in marine biology, but is open to all interested students.

Click here to apply today!

data-content-type=""

Contact Us

Blaine Griffen
2121 LSB
(801) 422-5930
blaine_griffen@byu.edu

PDF

Program Flyer

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=

More Information

Pencil and paper BIG-01.svg

Courses

Students are required to enroll in 6 credit hours during the spring term program, including the following:

BIO 399—Academic Internship (3 credits). This course will focus on field methods for studying marine biology.
BIO 559R—Marine Ecology (3 credits). This course will focus on advanced topics in marine ecology.

Participants may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
moneystack NAVY BIGsvg-01.svg

Cost

$2,800–3,300

Includes Latter-day Saint undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduate and non–Latter-day Saint students), housing, travel to and from the program in university vans, travel within the region for field studies, meals in the OIMB cafeteria during the portion of the trip while we are stationed at the OIMB, entrance fees, and equipment rental.

Does not include airfare (for students who elect not to travel to and from the program in university vehicles), preparation course tuition, or personal expenses. Students will cover some of their own meals, including on weekends and on field trips and during the last weeks of the trip when we will no longer be at the OIMB.
Scroll NAVY BIG-01.svg

Funding Sources

Regular BYU tuition scholarships, Pell Grants, and Federal Insured Student Loans may be applied to study abroad programs.

Students who submit the financial aid section of the ISP application and who have a current FAFSA form on file at the Financial Aid Office (A-41 ASB) will be considered for a Study Abroad scholarship.

Academic departments and colleges may assist with scholarships and grants.

University funding is available to help fund experiential learning. Contact Dr. Griffen for details.

Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (see kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships).
Backpack NAVY-BIG-01.svg

Preparation

A prerequisite is Ecology (BIO 350). This course provides the basic background required to undertake the in-depth study during the field program.

Students are required to participate in additional evening meetings that will be held as an additional course (IAS 201R) during the second block of winter semester 2023. Part-time and non-BYU students will need to pay an additional tuition fee for enrolling in the prep class. Accompanying spouses need to be credit-bearing participants on the program. Spouses will also need to apply online and take the preparation course.

Students must meet all country- and program-specific COVID and health requirements for travel.
House NAVY-BIG-01.svg

Housing

Students will reside in dorms at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, with some camping and hotel stays.
Plane NAVY-BIG-01.svg

Travel

Should students decide to arrive at or depart from the program on their own, airline reservations must be made through BYU Travel. Students should contact a BYU Travel agent.

BYU Travel
280 HRCB
(801) 422-6293
travel@byu.edu
Check mark NAVY BIG-01.svg

Application Process

Students must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Complete the online application here. A nonrefundable $35 application fee is required; applicants will be interviewed once the application is complete.

Students will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance into the program. The first payment is due upon acceptance; please refer to the Payment Information document.

Application Deadline: 15 December 2022
Gears NAVY-BIG-01.svg

Program Adjustments

International Study Programs (ISP) reserves the right to cancel this program, revise its offerings, or make any adjustments to the preliminary cost.

If it becomes necessary for ISP to cancel a program, all program payments made to BYU ISP will be refunded to the student’s BYU Financial account.

ISP is the only office authorized to cancel any of its programs.
Faculty NAVY-BIG-01.svg

Faculty

Dr. Blaine Griffen is the faculty director of the program. Dr. Griffen is an associate professor in the Department of Biology at Brigham Young University. Feel free to contact him with any questions you have.

2121 LSB
(801) 422-5930
blaine_griffen@byu.edu
Phone NAVY-BIG-23.svg

Contact Us

International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
Book NAVY-BIG-21.svg

ISP Student Handbook

To see the student handbook, click here.
Calendar NAVY-BIG-01.svg

Payment Schedule

To see the payment schedule, click here.