FHL 375, FHL 403, FHL 420/BIOL 410, FHL 480, FHL 490 | Spring 2027

Spring Marine Studies Program 2027

Credits: 15-16

Instructor(s): Dr. Emily Carrington , Dr. Marjorie Wonham , Dr. Deborah Giles

Prerequisites: See accordion below

Spring Marine Studies (SMS) hosts four courses, of which, accepted students enroll in three for a full quarter of 15 credits with an option to add the 1-credit Marine Science Seminar. All enrolled students are required to live on the Friday Harbor Labs campus, which is located on San Juan Island (around a 4 hour trip via car and ferry from Seattle). Direct all questions to FHL’s Academic Services Manager at fhlstudents@uw.edu.

All Spring Marine Studies students take the following 2 core courses

Ecology of the Salish Sea (FHL 420/BIOL 410, 5 credits)

Instructor: Dr. Emily Carrington, Professor at the University of Washington

Genevieve Kent
Watercolor of Turn Island, SMS ’23

This is a field-oriented study of the ecology of the Salish Sea. Students will relate ecological concepts about the structure and function of coastal ecosystems learned in lecture to first-hand observations in the field and lab. The field trips focus on observing ecological patterns of dominant organisms in different ecosystems found throughout the Salish Sea, while lab activities examine the various life history strategies of representative marine species, illustrating how different stages of an organism’s life cycle change over time, can span different biomes, and are influenced by interactions with the environment and other species. The course emphasizes observational rather than experimental methods and develops descriptive and quantitative techniques to explore how coastal ecosystems change over time and location, a core concept in marine ecology.

UW students enrolled in FHL 420/BIOL 410 are eligible to apply to the Mary Gates Endowment through FHL.

UW Marine Biology majors enrolled in this course are eligible to earn integrative field experience (IFE) credit ecology & ecosystems credit.

All other majors: ask your advisor how this course can fit into your academic plan

See below for prerequisites

Novel Marine Ecosystems (FHL 403, 5 credits)

Instructor: Dr. Marjorie Wonham, associate teaching professor at the University of Washington

Marjorie Wonham

In Novel Marine Ecosystems students will conduct field- and lab-based research to study the real-time dynamics of novel and hybrid marine ecosystems as they emerge through biotic changes (species deletions and additions) and abiotic changes. In discussions and other activities we will explore the concepts of how and why these ecosystems are forming, how ecological theory and research can help us understand them, and what conservation and management challenges and solutions they offer. In this Integrative Field Experience (IFE) course, students will be expected to apply their knowledge and skills from other courses to the focal questions in this one. Readings will be peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

Niamh Owen-McLaughlin

Recommended prerequisites: background in marine ecology; evolution; and ecosystems and organisms

No textbook is required for this course.

UW students enrolled in this course will earn (W) credit.

UW students enrolled in FHL 403 are eligible to apply to the Mary Gates Endowment through FHL.

UW Marine Biology majors enrolled in this course are eligible to earn integrative field experience (IFE) credit or ecology & ecosystems credit.

All other majors: ask your advisor how this course can fit into your academic plan

See below for prerequisites

 

Each Spring Marine Studies student also enrolls in 1 of the following 2 courses

Prerequisites for the Spring Marine Studies program

Prerequisites listed below are in accordance with the UW Seattle course naming system. Students from outside UW are welcome and encouraged to apply – applicant transcripts that show courses that cover similar topics will be reviewed for prerequisite alignment, and acceptances will be determined by permission of instructor.

 

Prerequisites for Marine Ecology of the Salish Sea and Novel Marine Ecosystems and topics covered in those courses are listed in the table below. Applicant transcripts will be reviewed for at least one course (or equivalent course) from each column.

FISH/OCEAN/BIOL 250: physical, biological, and social aspects of the marine environment – oceanography, ecology, physiology, behavior, conservation, fisheries, exploration, and activism (introductory marine science) OCEAN 210: Fundamentals of ocean science
BIOL 356: Foundations in ecology MARBIO 305: Communications
Q SCI 381 or STAT 311: Statistics
3 upper-division marine science courses

 

Questions about prerequisites/eligibility to take these courses? Contact the Academic Services Manager at fhlstudents@uw.edu.

Optional: Marine Science Seminar (FHL 490, 1 credit)

Instructor: TBD

There will be one lecture per week by research scientists. The topics will cover different fields of research. Participation is obligatory for registered students wanting to gain credits, but all students are encouraged to attend.

This course offers the incredible opportunity to learn about the science occurring at the labs and beyond, network with other marine scientists and professionals in the workforce, and learn of the different pathways available to those in marine science.

No textbook required.

UW Marine Biology majors enrolled in this course are eligible to earn Other Electives credit.