Oregon Abroad: Coastal Environments, Winter 2026

Applications are now open for Winter 2026. Study and immerse yourself in coastal & marine studies while living at the Oregon Coast! See below for FAQ, detailed info on courses, logistics, how to apply, and more.

For more on the first coastal quarter in Winter 2025, read this article written by a UO student!

Spend a winter term at the coast, immersing yourself in life along Oregon’s rocky shores, exploring tidepools or estuarine environments. The Oregon Abroad: Coastal Environments is a new, interdisciplinary program for undergraduates that uses UO’s marine station (Oregon Institute of Marine Biology) in Coos Bay, OR, as a base to learn about coastal environmental issues, receive hands-on instruction in data collection and analysis, improve your science communication skills, and more! This program is open to all majors and we encourage you to talk to your academic advisors about how the courses can satisfy specific requirements.

Courses: Winter Quarter 2026
All students will take the same courses that integrate coastal knowledge across disciplines. For winter 2025, these are the courses offered and the 2026 program will be similar.

  • ANTH 444, Seacoast in Prehistory (4 cr)  This course examines coastlines from a variety of perspectives using archaeological case studies from around the world, touching on subsistence strategies, the rise of sociopolitical complexity, trade and exchange systems, and ecological adaptations and impacts. 

  • BI 457, Marine Environmental Issues (4 cr)  A survey of the current issues that influence marine environments at local and global scales, including global climate change, conservation, fisheries, habitat alteration, introduced species, and pollution in the marine environment.

  • BI 457 (ENVS 400), Exploring Estuaries as Ecosystems (4 cr), Estuaries have been essential habitat for human populations since we have used marine resources. This course will explore how estuaries work, support human needs, absorb human impacts, and yet remain largely resilient.

  • BI 406 (ENVS 406), Coastal Experience Internship (3 cr): This course will give hands-on experience working with one of our coastal partners (e.g., ODFW, SSNERR), on a project that culminates in presenting at our Coastal Symposium.

  • BI 407, Seminar with Coastal Practitioners (1 cr)  A one-credit seminar class exploring careers of coastal practitioners through guest lectures. 

Application Process
Apply now: https://oregon.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cCRvwBdbPhMk0Zw
Application deadline: Applications are open now and until the program is full.
Website: oceanice.org/coastal-quarter

Costs & Logistics
The only additional costs to this program include room & board, which are estimated to be $409/week, which covers lodging and all meals during the quarter. Partial scholarships are available to help defray these costs.

More Information
Please contact Maya Watts (mwolf1@uoregon.edu) or Dave Sutherland (dsuth@uoregon.edu) with questions. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is below. The images below show the Oregon Abroad: Coastal Environments Flyer for Winter 2025.

  1. Where is this new program happening again?

    • The Coastal Quarter will take place at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB) in Charleston, OR, next to the beautiful estuarine waters of Coos Bay and ocean beaches and bays of Cape Arago. Note that although the marine station’s name includes Marine Biology, this program is open to all majors and will be focused on coastal environmental themes.

  2. Are the classes able to be used towards my major?

    • Yes, most likely! This is a discussion to have with your advisor. For example, we do know that for ENVS or ESCI majors, the four core courses are able to satisfy certain group requirements. Note that all pre-reqs are waived for the courses. Email us and/or your academic advisor for more info.

  3. I am not a Marine Biology Major, can I still apply?

    • Yes, absolutely! In fact, we hope you do. This is chance for non-Marine Biology students to live and study at the Oregon Coast. Students from across UO’s many colleges and schools are welcome to apply. Of course, Marine Biology students are still welcome too! All years (freshmen through seniors) are welcome to apply.

  4. How many students do you think will attend?

    • We expect the cohort to be between 20-25 students, who will all be living, studying and experiencing the Oregon Coast together.

  5. Besides classes, what else is there to do during the quarter?

    • The possibilities are endless! You can explore the natural wonders of Cape Arago, Sunset Bay, or South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve through hiking, running, on kayaking. You can try surfing, beach-combing, or having a bonfire at the area’s many sandy beaches. Take the time to investigate Coos Bay, North Bend, or venture south to Bandon and Port Orford and the rest of the southern Oregon Coast.

  6. I’m concerned about the cost! What can I do?

    • We understand and realize that many ‘study abroad’ programs are out of reach for some students. The Coastal Quarter program does not incur any extra tuition than your normal UO quarter would. But, staying at the coast will cost roughly $409/week. This cost covers all meals cooked for you at the OIMB dining hall and lodging on the OIMB campus. So, in effect, you are really only paying for lodging extra (since you have to eat!) and that’s only if you cannot get out of your lease in Eugene. We will have a few small partial scholarships to help defray the cost and hope to be able to give out more scholarships in the future.

  7. I’m concerned about pre-reqs for the classes. Are there pre-reqs?

    • No, we have designed this coastal quarter for students from any major to take the courses listed. Professors will teach each class as a stand-alone course that leverages the unique opportunities of teaching it at the coast. The internship class might also satisfy any practicum requirements you have for your major!

  8. More questions not listed here?

    • Ask us! Please contact Maya Watts (mwolf1@uoregon.edu) or Dave Sutherland (dsuth@uoregon.edu) with questions, or fill out the interest form and ask us questions through it.

The 2026 Coastal Quarter flyer is shown below and also available as a pdf.