Understanding FHL Programs
Each listing on this page is a complete, full-time program. Some programs are made up of several courses whose credits add up to a full-time load; others are comprised of a single course that itself is a full-time load (e.g. a 15-credit, quarter-long course or a 9-credit, 5-week course).
Our programs are intensive, immersive, hands-on experiences. During the academic year, courses run ~8:30 – 5:30 Monday – Friday. Summer courses run ~8:30 – 5:30 Monday – Friday and ~8:30 – 12:30 on Saturdays.
As you’ll see when you click on the links below, some will show details for a group of courses within that program, others will show details for that single full-time course.
During any one term, students can only enroll in one of the program offerings noted here.
For more opportunities at FHL, see also Training Workshops for summer 2025.
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FHL 375, FHL 403, FHL 450, FHL 480, FHL 490 | Spring 2025
Spring Marine Studies Program 2025
Credits: 15 or 16 | Instructor(s): Dr. Deborah Giles , Dr. Marjorie Wonham , Dr. Jason Hodin, Mitch McCloskey, Dr. Karly Cohen
Spring Marine Studies provides students with a diverse offering of courses in advanced marine ecology, invasive species research, and marine mammal biology. -
FHL 430/BIOL 430, FHL 440/BIOL 445, FHL 470, FHL 490 | Spring 2025
Zoology Botany Program 2025
Credits: 16 or 17 | Instructor(s): Dr. Megan Dethier , Dr. Kaitlyn Tonra, Dr. Karly Cohen
These three courses comprise the Zoo-Bot Program and must be taken together. They are designed to complement each other, giving students an overview of marine life of the region as well as experience in marine sciences research. -
FHL 446 | Summer A 2025
Marine Botany: Diversity and Ecology 2025
Credits: 9 | Instructor(s): Dr. Thomas Mumford , Dr. D. Wilson Freshwater
The theme of the course is principles, methods, and applications of marine algal biodiversity studies with a focus on the macroalgae of marine benthic environments. -
FHL 450, FHL 470, FHL/BIOL 471 | Autumn 2025
Autumn Marine Studies (AMS) 2024
Credits: 16-17 | Instructor(s): Dr. Adam Summers , Dr. Marjorie Wonham
Three required courses (+ one optional course) comprise this full-time program. The courses are designed to complement each other, giving students an overview of marine life of the region as well as experience in marine sciences research. -
FHL 472 | Autumn 2024
Pelagic Ecosystem Function of the San Juan Archipelago 2024
Credits: 15 | Instructor(s): Dr. Matthew Baker , Dr. Alex Marquez , Dr. Becca Guenther , Dr. Jan Newton
This full-time apprenticeship uses the natural laboratory of the waters in San Juan Archipelago to investigate the working of a unique pelagic (open water) ecosystem. -
FHL 472 | Winter 2025
CANCELLED Imaging Biology: Techniques, Technology, and Tools 2025
Credits: 15 | Instructor(s): Adam Summers , Karly Cohen
In this 15-credit, full-time research experience students will learn to image marine biological specimens with diverse tools covering meter to nanometer size scales. -
FHL 528 | Summer B 2025
Fish Swimming: Kinematics, Ecomorphology, Behavior and Environmental Physiology 2025
Credits: 9 | Instructor(s): Dr. Paolo Domenici , Dr. John F. Steffensen , Dr. Jacob Johansen
Fish Swimming is a multidisciplinary area of research. This course will reflect on many of these areas in lectures and laboratory/field sessions. -
FHL/BIOL 432 | Summer A 2025
Marine Invertebrate Zoology 2025
Credits: 9 | Instructor(s): Dr. Megan Schwartz , Dr. Rebecca Varney
Marine Invertebrate Zoology will take advantage of the rich marine biota of the Friday Harbor and San Juan Island regions of the Salish Sea to introduce students the principles of animal organization and biodiversity. -
FHL/FISH/MARBIO 492 | Summer B 2025
Ecology and Conservation of Marine Birds and Mammals 2025
Credits: 9 | Instructor(s): W. Breck Tyler , Dr. Eric M. Anderson
This intensive, field-based course offers motivated students the opportunity to learn first-hand about the marine birds and mammals of the Salish Sea.