Friday Harbor Labs offers a variety of for-credit courses during Autumn, Spring, and Summer, terms. All programs are highly experiential and fully immersive experiences, offering a full load of coursework, which truly are full-time jobs. Students should expect to spend 40 or more hours per week either in the lecture, lab, field, and homework components of these programs. Topics include marine research, marine mammals, invertebrate zoology, marine botany, marine ecology, behavioral ecology and/or anatomy and physiology.

Students are expected to move to the Friday Harbor Laboratories campus while enrolled in these programs. Housing and dining is provided. Accommodations and need-based scholarships are available.

⇓ Scroll to bottom to see what courses are on offer this year ⇓

Autumn Programs – 10 weeks

Students enroll in either Autumn Marine Studies or Pelagic Ecosystem Function during Autumn quarter

Autumn Marine Studies

• Choose 3 courses out of 4 class options for a full course load
• Credits range from 15-17 credits
• Class offerings include ecology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, and research biology
• Class sizes range from 20-40 students
• Expect your course load to fill ~35 hours per week

Pelagic Ecosystem Function

• Students enroll in one research apprenticeship
• The apprenticeship is 15 credits total
• Research topics include physical, chemistry, and biological oceanography, pelagic fishes, and predators
• Class size ranges from 10-15 students
• Expect your course load to fill ~40+ hours per week

Spring Programs – 10 weeks

Students enroll in either Spring Marine Studies or the Zoology Botany Program during Spring quarter

Spring Marine Studies

• Choose 3 courses out of 4-5 class options for a full course load
• Credits range from 15-17 credits
• Class offerings include ecology, biology, professional development
• Class sizes range from 20-40 students
• Expect your course load to fill ~35 hours per week

Zoology Botany Program

• Enroll in 3 courses designed to complement one another
• Credits range from 16-17 credits
• Class offerings include invertebrate zoology, marine botany, and research biology
• Program size is limited to 20-40 students
• Expect your course load to fill ~40+ hours per week

Summer Programs – 5 weeks

Programs and courses are one in the same during the summer, and students enroll in one course at a time

• Summer quarter is split into two 5-week terms; Summer A and Summer B
• Students can enroll in a single term or both terms
• Each course offers 9 credits; students can earn 9 credits per summer term
• Class offerings include ecology, evolutionary development, zoology, fish morphology & kinematics, marine botany, biomechanics
• Repeat courses are typically offered every other summer; see Course Archives for past offerings
• Class sizes range from 15-20 students
• Expect your course load to fill ~50+ hours per week; class runs M-F 8:30 – 5:00 and Saturdays 8:30 – 12:00

⇒ Applications are happily accepted from students across the country and the globe ⇐

Apply to take a course

Questions about FHL courses can be directed to the FHL Academic Services Manager at fhlstudents@uw.edu

Courses are on offer this year