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Marine Science

Applications for Winter 2026 is now available!

The following programs are designed to empower high school students to share learning, network with peers, and become environmental advocates. The goal of this program is to develop problem solving, organization, creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills that will support future career goals and aspirations.

The following programs are designed to equip high school students with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to engage in collaborative learning, build peer networks, and serve as environmental advocates. Through interdisciplinary, experiential learning, the programs aim to cultivate critical competencies—including problem-solving, organizational strategies, creative thinking, effective communication, collaboration, and leadership—that will support students’ academic advancement and future career aspirations.

 

Tier 1 Courses

Tier 1 courses provide students with a foundational understanding of ocean sciences, with a focus on marine biology and its related subdisciplines. These courses introduce the diversity of marine life and examine the biological, chemical, and physical processes that shape ecosystem dynamics within marine environments. Each course is designed to address current and relevant environmental challenges while preparing students for progression into Tier 2 research-focused workshops. Tier 1 courses also serve as an ideal entry point for students with a general interest in marine science and those exploring potential academic and professional pathways within the field.

Marine Biodiversity: Coral Reef Ecology and Conservation

Marine Biodiversity: Coral Reef Ecology and Conservation

  • Dates: February 10, 2026 - March 5, 2026
  • Units: 2.00 Pre-College units, 90000 level
  • Open to: 9th-12th grade students. Additionally, students must be at least 14 years of age by the commencement of the program. 
  • Application: Click here to apply!
  • Application Deadline: January 23, 2026
  • Payment Deadline: Payment is due within two weeks of acceptance. For students accepted after January 23rd, payment is due by January 30, 2026.
  • Course Delivery: Live Online
  • Tuition: $1,500
  • Schedule:  
    • Tuesday and Thursday - 4:30 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. PT, live online sessions.
    • Instructor: Nicole Yen
Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. In the Coral Reef Ecology and Conservation Course, students will learn how physical, chemical, and biological processes create incredible coral reef systems worldwide. The focus of this class is to understand the dynamic interactions of reef communities and their ever-changing environment, as well as the short- and long-term impacts of various stressors. Students will also learn various survey techniques used to monitor coral ecosystems and can participate in citizen science projects using Allen Coral Atlas and NOAA databases. Furthermore, students will gain practical skills in setting up and maintaining their own reef tanks, allowing them to apply their knowledge while promoting sustainable aquarium practices and appreciating the complexities of coral care in a controlled environment.

 This course can act as a prerequisite for any Tier 2 courses offered.   

By the end of the course, students will:

  • Get a foundation in ocean sciences, specifically marine biology and related disciplines.
  • Explore the diversity of life and how biological, chemical and physical processes drive ecosystem dynamics in a marine environment.
  • Learn about the marine environment and associated marine science career pathways.
  • Understand how to set up a reef tank and the essential requirements for coral care

Tier 2 Courses

Tier 2 courses provide students with an advanced, multidisciplinary research experience in collaboration with graduate students from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and professionals actively engaged in marine science across various sectors. These courses are designed to immerse students in the research process, allowing them to contribute to ongoing investigations or independently design and implement their own projects. Areas of study may include, but are not limited to, California coastal ecology, coral reef ecology and restoration, animal physiology, thermodynamics, metabolic processes, and fisheries science.

Field-based excursions to diverse marine ecosystems—such as intertidal zones, salt marshes, and coastal habitats throughout the San Diego region—are a core component of the program, offering students direct engagement with the environments they are studying. For students participating remotely, certain research projects have been thoughtfully adapted to include at-home laboratory components, ensuring accessibility and continuity of hands-on learning regardless of geographic location.

Investigating Human and Climate Impacts on Oceans and Biodiversity

Investigating Human and Climate Impacts on Oceans and Biodiversity

  •  Dates: Coming Spring 2026
  • Units: 7.50 Pre-College units, 90000 level
  • Open to: 9th-12th grade students. Additionally, students must be at least 14 years of age by the commencement of the program. 
  • Application: Click here to apply!
  • Application Deadline: Closed
  • Payment Deadline: Closed
  • Course Delivery: Hybrid
  • Tuition: $4,800
  • Schedule: 
    • Students can expect 75 hours of work. 
    • Week 1 - June 23, 2025 to June 27, 2025 - asychnronous 
    • Week 2 to week 3 - July 7, 2025 to July 25, 2025 - in person, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., lunch is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • Instructor: Nicole Yen and Sonya Timko

Have you ever envisioned designing your own research project, investigating novel scientific questions, and communicating your findings in a scholarly context? The Tier 2 Summer Commuter Course provides a unique opportunity for select students to engage in immersive, hands-on research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Participants will be matched with research themes that reflect their academic and scientific interests, fostering meaningful engagement with topics at the forefront of marine science.

Each research theme is led by subject-matter experts who provide mentorship and professional insight, guiding students through the research process—from hypothesis generation and experimental design to data analysis and presentation. This experience offers aspiring marine scientists early exposure to the rigors and rewards of scientific inquiry, equipping them with practical skills, critical thinking abilities, and a deeper understanding of the research process within a real-world scientific setting.

Potential Research Themes:

  • Monitoring Coastal Ecosystems: Using Thermal Imaging to Assess Climate Change Impacts: Coastal ecosystems, including rocky intertidal zones and salt marshes, represent biologically rich and accessible environments that provide substantial ecological, commercial, and educational value. However, these ecosystems face increasing threats from rising temperatures, sea-level rise, pollution, and invasive species. This project utilizes thermal imaging—a technique that detects infrared radiation emitted by warm objects—as a tool for assessing thermal variability and stress in marine organisms. By applying this method in ecological and physiological contexts, students will gain insights into the localized impacts of global climate change on coastal systems and contribute to efforts aimed at long-term environmental monitoring and mitigation.
    Project Lead: Sonya Timko
  • Marine Biodiversity Assessment: Exploring eDNA and Traditional Methods for Ecosystem Monitoring: Students in this project will contribute to San Diego’s pioneering marine biomonitoring initiatives as the first cohort of citizen scientists involved in real-time conservation science. Through integrated fieldwork, students will assess marine biodiversity using both traditional ecological survey methods and advanced molecular tools, including environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis and portable nanopore sequencing technologies. These innovative approaches enable in-field genetic analysis, offering real-time insights into species presence, gene clusters, and overall ecosystem health. By comparing methodologies such as shotgun sequencing and metabarcoding, students will evaluate the effectiveness of biodiversity monitoring techniques and their implications for sustainable resource management, conservation policy, and human health. Project Lead: Kiirah Green 
  • Exploring Gene Regulation and Fluorescence: Investigating Environmental Impacts on GFP Expression: This research project examines how environmental factors—such as climate change and pollution—affect gene expression and cellular function, using Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) as a model system. Originating from the bioluminescent jellyfish Aequorea victoria, GFP has become a widely used biomarker in molecular biology. Students will use the pGLO plasmid to genetically transform bacteria, inducing GFP expression that results in fluorescence under UV light. Through this process, students will explore the molecular pathway from DNA to RNA to protein to phenotype and investigate the influence of internal and external stressors on gene regulation. The project provides foundational training in molecular genetics and highlights the broader ecological implications of fluorescence in marine organisms. Project Lead: Marc Piercy

Tier 3 Courses

Tier 3 courses are designed for students who have successfully completed one or more Tier 2 research experiences and are seeking to further develop their scientific communication and analytical skills. These advanced courses emphasize the practice of critical scientific literacy, with a particular focus on scholarly writing, data interpretation, and the dissemination of research findings. Students will refine their ability to craft evidence-based arguments and will have the opportunity to publish their original studies in the Marine Science Research Scholars Journal, contributing to the broader scientific discourse.

The overarching aim of both Tier 2 and Tier 3 workshops is to engage students in authentic scientific inquiry that produces meaningful data to inform environmental advocacy and support the resilience of the communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems.

Introduction to Scientific Writing

Introduction to Scientific Writing

  • Dates: September 22, 2025 to November 14, 2025
  • Units: 3.00 Pre-College units, 90000 level
  • Open to: 9th-12th grade students. Additionally, students must be at least 14 years of age by the commencement of the program. 
  • Application: Click here to apply!
  • Application Deadline: September 10, 2025
  • Payment Deadline: Payment is due within two weeks of acceptance. For students accepted after August 29, payment is due by September 12, 2025. 
  • Course Delivery: Online
  • Tuition: $2,000
  • Pre-requisite: Successful completion of Tier 2 course
  • Schedule: 
    • Students can expect 30 hours of work. 
    • Mondays and Wednesdays - 4:30 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. PT, live online sessions.
    • Asynchronous - three to five hours of additional work per week.
    • Instructor: Nicole Yen and Sonya Timko 

 Introduction to Scientific Writing is an advanced course designed for students who have completed a Tier 2 research experience and are prepared to translate their original research into a formal scientific manuscript. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the writing and publication process, guiding students through the preparation of preprints or full manuscripts for submission to reputable marine science journals. Emphasis is placed on developing clarity, precision, and coherence in scientific communication, equipping students with the technical writing skills necessary for academic and professional success.

The curriculum incorporates elements of graduate-level science communication, including mastery of the "3-Minute Flash Talk"—a concise oral presentation format that trains students to effectively distill and convey complex research findings to diverse audiences. Through a combination of writing workshops, peer review, and presentation exercises, students will strengthen their ability to communicate science to both expert and non-expert audiences.

This course is ideal for students aspiring to publish their research or pursue careers in scientific research, environmental policy, or science communication.

Course Topics Include:
  • Principles of Effective Scientific Reading and Writing
  • Manuscript Structure, Organization, and Formatting
  • Preparation and Presentation of Figures, Tables, and References
  • Communicating Scientific Research to Diverse and Interdisciplinary Audiences

Other Program Information

Application

  • Application: Click here to apply!
  • Application Deadline: Space is limited, and students will be accepted on a rolling basis. All applications for Research Scholars: Marine Science Tier 1 will close on January 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. For students accepted after January 23rd, payment is due by January 30, 2026.
    Applications are subject to closing earlier should the program meet its enrollment capacity.
  • Payment Deadline: Within two weeks of acceptance, or sooner if the program begins earlier.

Acceptance

Students will be notified of acceptance within 10-14 days business days of submitting their application until the program is full.

FAQs

What are 90000 level pre-college units?
Are award of completion certificates available?
How do I request an official/unofficial transcript?
How do I access my grade report?

What are 90000 level pre-college units?
Courses numbered 90000-99999 are non-credit-bearing, pre-college-level courses designed to provide an opportunity for students to explore academic interests or prepare for college admission. Research Scholars pre-college units may be transferable for secondary school credit at the discretion of the receiving institution. Students should discuss the transferability of individual courses with the registrar of their secondary school prior to enrolling.

Are award of completion certificates available?
Award of completion certificates are not available for the courses. However, students are welcome to request a transcript or downloand and print their grade report by logging in your MyExtension here.

How do I request an official/unofficial transcript?
For instructions on how to order and pay for an official/unofficial transcript, please click here. If you’ve never ordered transcripts through Parchment before, you will need to register for a Parchment account. Details can be found from the link above.  All transcripts will be printed and delivered by one of the methods listed here. Transcript requests are processed by Student Services. Should you have any questions, please contact them at unex-reg@ucsd.edu.

Please note that when grades are not yet posted for the current term, you can still request an official transcript by selecting the "Hold for current quarter grades" option on the transcript request form, which instructs Student Services to wait to send the transcript until all current grades are officially posted to your academic record. This process ensures the transcript reflects your most up-to-date academic performance before it is sent to the requested recipient. 

You can also view/download your grade report by logging in your MyExtension here without needing to make a payment. 

How do I access my grade report?
Your final grade reports will be available in MyExtension within three weeks after the last day of class. For current blended, hybrid or online courses, you can access grades for individual assignments through Canvas or by contacting your instructor.

Cancellation/Refund Policies

Students will receive a full refund for a cancellation or withdrawl from a course if this is requested 15 business days in advance of a course start date. Refunds are not granted for students who are dismissed from the program.

You can drop courses online in a few easy steps:

  1. Log in to MyExtension.
  2. Navigate to "My Courses" and select the course you would like to drop.
  3. On the right side under "Tools" select "Drop Course."
  4. In the pop-up window that appears, select "Submit."

Or submit a written drop request:

You may file a petition for an exception to the refund policy if you are unable to continue enrollment for one of the following reasons:

  • Sudden serious personal illness, injury or hospitalization
  • The sudden serious illness, injury, hospitalization or death of a close member of your family
  • Compulsory military service
  • A documented administrative error that affected your enrollment
  • Extreme and unusual circumstances which were beyond your control

Refunds will take approximately four to six weeks to process. Refunds are issued in the same method of payment (check or charge) of payment to the program.

Learn More

You can also learn more about the program by visiting our Research Scholars Marine Science website: