Sea Change Semester Program: An Intensive Research Experience

Ocean science is in the middle of an incredible revolution. Climate change is rapidly reshaping life in the oceans, and new tools are being developed each day to reveal what it means for our planet. Bigelow Laboratory offers a transformative, 14-week experience that puts these cutting-edge tools in your hands and empowers you to answer critical questions about the future of the ocean.

Your Sea Change experience will give you exclusive access to Bigelow Laboratory’s state-of-the-art facilities, as well as the tools and mentorship you need to lead an independent investigation into questions that you want to answer. You will develop your foundational knowledge of ocean science through 16 credits of rigorous ocean science coursework while working alongside professional scientist mentors. You will also get to participate in six daylong research cruises in the Gulf of Maine, supplemented with regular sampling of local waters. While at sea, you’ll use a full range of physical, chemical, and biological oceanographic instruments to collect water samples and environmental data for analysis and synthesis in the lab. 

This program provides training in lab and field science, and more importantly, lifelong connections that can lead to future career opportunities.

Sea Change Semester at a Glance

Four laboratory courses encompassing ocean science

Six one-day oceanographic cruises on the Gulf of Maine

Intensive independent research under the mentorship of a senior research scientist

Sixteen academic credits, Colby transcript

Please let the program staff know of your interest in next fall's program by December 15 by emailing seachange@bigelow.org