Students in the College of Arts and Sciences have the opportunity this winter to take classes on the picturesque Oregon Coast at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology .

The Oregon Abroad: Coastal Environments program is an immersive learning experience open to all majors. Selected students will have the opportunity to live in Charleston, Oregon, and explore all of the unique features the state’s beaches have to offer while gaining a firsthand understanding of the environmental challenges the Oregon coastline faces.

Throughout the program, students will participate in courses incorporating coastal knowledge across various disciplines.

• ANTH 444 Seacoast in Prehistory examines coastal history through the use of archeological case studies from across the globe, analyzing subsistence strategies, sociopolitical complexities, trade and exchange systems, and ecological impacts.
• BI 457 Marine Environmental Issues surveys the current issues that influence marine environments, including global climate change, conservation, fisheries, habitat alteration, introduced species and pollution.
• ERTH 410 Coastal Environmental Science introduces the science behind the environmental issues that impact coastal communities through a series of lectures, field trips and analysis of real-world data.
• J 377 Science of Science Communication addresses the challenges of communicating scientific material to other scientists, policymakers and the public.
• BI 407 Seminar with Coastal Practitioners allows students to explore careers in coastal work through a series of guest lectures.

Outside of the classroom, students will have the opportunity to take advantage of all the Oregon Coast has to offer. They can explore the countless hiking trails through Cape Arago or go surfing in Sunset Bay. The southern Oregon Coast has exciting activities for water lovers and land enjoyers alike.

Apply today to join this immersive coastal experience in winter 2025. Applications will be considered beginning June 7 and will remain open until the program is full. Scholarships are available to offset additional costs. For more information, contact program directors Maya Watts and Dave Sutherland .

—By Bailey Meyers, College of Arts and Sciences