Marine Science

Application now available for Winter 2024 (Courses start in January 2024)

A limited number of spots are available in each course in order to maintain a low student-instructor ratio. Please apply as soon as possible to receive consideration for a spot in your desired program(s). For inquiries, please email UCSD Pre-College Programs (precollege@ucsd.edu) and nyen@ucsd.edu.

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.

Tier 1 courses offer students a foundation in ocean sciences, specifically marine biology and related disciplines. Students will explore the diversity of life and how biological, chemical and physical processes drive ecosystem dynamics in a marine environment. Each course is designed to target relevant, contemporary environmental issues while providing a pathway for students to participate in our Tier 2, research workshops. Tier 1 courses are also designed for students who are simply interested in learning more about the marine environment and associated marine science career pathways.

Tier 1 Courses are currently offered online. These 4 or 8 week courses are designed to acclimate students to a university summer and quarter systems, respectively. Each week, students will have 2 asynchronous, interactive and gamified lessons. Synchronous sessions are designed for student collaboration and discussion, guest speaker interactions, and guided virtual lab experiences. These courses are aimed to foster next generation critical thinkers, communicators, creators and stewards of the ocean environment.

Tier 2 courses offer students a multidisciplinary practical research experience in collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography graduate students and other active marine science researchers in various industries. Students will partner with researchers and can participate in, design and run their own projects on California Coastal Ecology, Coral Reef Ecology and Restoration, Animal Physiology, Thermodynamics, Metabolics, and Fisheries Science to name a few. Field-based excursions to intertidal zones, salt marshes, and other marine ecosystems in San Diego are an integral part of this program; however, some projects are also adapted with an at-home lab component for non-local students.

Tier 3 courses offer students that have participated in one or more Tier 2 courses the opportunity to practice critical literacy skills specifically needed in scientific writing and publish studies in our Marine Science Research Scholars Journal. The purpose of Tier 2 and 3 workshops is to participate in scientific studies that generate data needed to advocate for the environment and the communities that rely on a healthy system.

Tier 1 Courses

Heat Spies: Using Infrared Cameras in Marine Ecology (Spring 2024 - Online)

Heat Spies: Using Infrared Cameras in Marine Ecology (Application Available Soon)

Dates: TBD
Course Delivery: Online
Tuition: $1,500
Grade Level: 9-12th grade
Instructors: Sonya Timko and Nicole Yen
Schedule:

Organisms need the sun for warmth and energy, but how hot can they get before it’s too much to handle? Thermal imaging cameras record infrared radiation (IR) and convert it to a visible image, even if it is too dark to see with your own eyes! The primary source of IR is heat or thermal radiation - the warmer something is, the more infrared radiation it emits. How will climate change impact these organisms that need to beat the heat? Students will get an introduction to how heat transfers between organisms and their environment and analyze various thermal images using FlirTools and Image J.

This course is a prerequisite to participate in Tier 2, Advanced Life on the Edge that will be offered in-person during Summer 2024. This course is available for 2 pre-college units.

Topics Include:

Thermal Processes
Scientific Method
FLIR Thermal Cameras and Equipment
Analyses Software (FlirTools, Image J)
Biostatistics Introduction (Using Excel)

When Art Meets Science (Winter 2024 - Hybrid/Online)

When Art Meets Science (Click here to apply)

Dates: January 16, 2024 - March 9, 2024 (8 weeks)
Course Delivery: Hybrid or Fully Online Options:
Students interested in taking this course online and in-person can both enroll. All students will meet virtually for the first 2 weeks of class, subsequently in-person students will meet Saturdays at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and online students will zoom in simultaneously for the remainder 6-weeks. A supplies kit will be shipped to students that choose to participate virtually that will include all materials needed for this course minus the organisms (plants, algae, animals, etc.) that will be used for pressings, prints, and preservations. Online students will need to purchase or collect their own specimens. All supplies will be provided for in-person students. Please let us know if you plan to be fully online or in-person.
Tuition: $2300
Grade Level: 9-12th grade
Instructor: Nicole Yen
Schedule:

Synchronous
- Session: Tuesdays; Thursdays (4:30-5:30 PM PST via Zoom); (2 weeks)
- Session: Saturdays (1-3:30 PM PST via Zoom or In-Person at Scripps); (6 weeks)
Asynchronous - 1 to 2 hours of additional work/week

Art and science are often seen as disjointed and unrelated fields; however, they are both ways of exploring and understanding the incredible natural world around us. Scientists and artists need to embody creativity, use observation skills, practice experimentation, and be effective communicators. Using art even as scientists is often overlooked, but it can be used to help communicate scientific findings, raise awareness on marine issues, and foster collaboration across disciplines.

In this course, we will explore how art and science are intricately tied through various art projects that may include:

Gyotaku printing: Learn how to make beautiful prints of fish and other aquatic animals using a traditional Japanese technique that dates back to the 1800s. You will use real organisms of your choice, ink, and paper to capture the details and textures of your specimens.
Algae pressing: Learn how to preserve and display algae specimens from different environments using a simple method of drying and pressing. You will use algae collected from local sources and mount them on paper or other supports.
Cyanotype printing: Learn how to make cyan-blue prints of flowers, leaves, and other objects using a photographic process that was invented in 1842. You will use light-sensitive chemicals, sunlight, and water to create unique images on paper or fabric.
Scientific illustration: Learn how to draw accurate and detailed illustrations of scientific subjects, such as animals, plants, or anatomical structures. You will use various techniques, such as pencil, ink, or watercolor, to convey information and aesthetics.
Diaphanization: Learn how to make transparent specimens of small fish using a method of clearing and staining that reveals their bones and cartilage. You will use enzymes, dyes, and glycerin to create striking artworks that showcase the anatomy and morphology of your subjects.
Resin preservation: Learn how to preserve dried flowers or other objects in resin, a liquid substance that hardens into a solid shape. You will use casting resin, molds, and additives, such as glitter or colorants, to create durable and decorative pieces that capture the beauty of nature.

By the end of this course, you will have a portfolio of amazing artworks that demonstrate your skills and creativity! Additionally, you will also have a deeper understanding of the history, theory, and practice of art and science as complementary fields of inquiry. This course is suitable for students of all levels. No prior experience or knowledge is required. This course is available for 4 pre-college units.

Introduction to Marine Science (Fall 2023 - Online)

Introduction to Marine Science (Application Closed)

Dates: September 26, 2023 - November 16, 2023 (8 weeks)
Course Delivery: Online
Tuition: $2,000
Grade Level: 9-12th grade
Instructor: Nicole Yen
Schedule:

Synchronous - Tuesday, Thursday (4-5:20 PM PST)
Asynchronous - 2 lessons / week

The Introduction to Marine Science course is designed to expose students to the processes, functions, and life forms of Earth’s incredible ocean environment. Students will develop a comprehensive foundation in biological, chemical, and physical oceanography by examining major taxonomic groups of marine organisms, important marine ecosystems and habitats, and by exploring current research and applied careers. Through interactive lectures, labs, and discussions, students will gain a basic understanding and appreciation of the ocean community and how it relates to their own lives. This course is available for 4 pre-college units.

Topics Include

Fundamentals of Oceanography
Introduction to Organismal Biology
Marine Ecosystem Diversity and Services
Marine Conservation and Marine Science Careers

Organismal Biology Lab (Fall 2023 - In-Person)

Organismal Biology Lab (Application Closed)

Dates: September 30, 2023 - November 18, 2023 (8 weeks)
Course Delivery: In-Person
Tuition: $2,500
Grade Level: 9-12th grade
Instructor: Nicole Yen
Schedule:

Synchronous - Friday, September 29 (1 hour online); every Saturday (9 AM - 12 PM PST @ SIO, Aburto Lab)
Asynchronous - 1 lesson / week

Have you ever wondered what makes you related to the “immortal” jellyfish – what similarities and differences can be uncovered by zooming into our tissues under the microscope? The Organismal Biology Lab course is designed to expose students to the incredible and rich diversity of life in the oceans through engaging and fun in-depth lab practicals and dissections. Identify the invisible life in the oceans such as marine plankton under the microscope and even dissect a dogfish shark and lamprey in partnership with Aburto Lab at Scripps Institution of Oceanography! The major focus of this course is diversity through the lens of an evolutionary and functional biologist, since evolutionary processes enrich our understanding of how genes, genomes, and finally species evolve. Students will learn about the basic characteristics of major animal groups, amazing adaptations, and complex behaviors and interactions that drive speciation. Such knowledge is essential for understanding biology in general and provides the tools for our stewardship of the planet’s biota and the sustainability of the ecological services we take for granted. This course is available for 4 pre-college units.

Topics Include

Animal Diversity, Evolution, Systematics, and Phylogenetics
System Evolution through Comparative Lab Practicals
- Classification by Symmetry and Developmental Pattern
- Integument
- Skeleton and Muscles
- Digestion and Excretion
  - Mouthparts and Teeth
- Circulation and Respiration
Invertebrate diversity with microscopy and/or dissections [Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata
Vertebrate diversity with microscopy [Mammals, Reptiles, Birds] and dissections [Fish]

Tier 2 Courses

Advanced Marine Biodiversity: Life on the Edge (Summer 2024 - Residential) - APPLICATION COMING SOON

Advanced Marine Biodiversity: Life on the Edge (Application Available in December 2023. Click here to sign up for future notifications)

Course Dates: July 8 - July 26, 2024
Check-In Date: July 7, 2024 - Students must check-in on July 9th.
Check-Out Date: July 27, 2024 - Students must check-out by 2pm.
Course Delivery: Residential
Course Tuition: TBD
Residential Fee: TBD
Grade Level: 9th - 12th grade
Schedule:

Monday - Friday
9:00am - 11:30am (Class/Lecture/Lab)
11:30am - 1:30pm Lunch
1:30pm - 4:00pm (Class/Lecture/Lab)

The rocky intertidal is one of the most accessible marine coastal environments teeming with an incredibly diverse living community. Because of this unique quality it has immense commercial, recreational, and educational value to communities worldwide. However, this quality also makes these habitats highly susceptible to changing ocean conditions such as sea-level rise, invasive species, and pollution.

Thermal imaging cameras record infrared radiation (IR) and convert it to a visible image. The primary source of IR is heat or thermal radiation - the warmer something is, the more infrared radiation it emits. Infrared thermography (IRT) is being increasingly utilized by ecologists and physiologists to observe and investigate small-scale thermal variability and thermal stress on the distribution and abundance of marine species.

Monitoring intertidal ecosystems becomes increasingly important as we continue to see global climate changes. In this Tier 2 course, students will be part of ongoing research in partnership with the National Park Service at Cabrillo National Monument. Students will explore how heat transfers between organisms and their environment using a FLIR thermal camera. We will relate our data to organismal anatomy, physiology, thermoregulation, species adaptability, ecology, and/or climate change.

Archived project SU23: https://researchscholars.ucsd.edu/project-archives/index.html#2023-Summer-Session

Archived project SU22: https://www.researchscholarsmarinescience.com/pre-college

Prerequisites

Option 1: Take our Tier 1 Heat Spies: Using Infrared Cameras in Marine Ecology

Option 2: Have taken an advanced biology, environmental science, or marine science course prior to the start of our program.

*The Advanced Marine Biodiversity: Life on the Edge is strictly a residential program and is open to both domestic and international students. Students will not be able to check-in and out during the duration of the program. Students will be housed with Academic Connections students in Muir College. More information will be available once we get closer to the program dates.

Advanced Seafood Fraud Detectives (Winter 2024 - Hybrid)

Advanced Seafood Fraud Detectives (Click here to apply)

Dates: January 23, 2024 – March 16, 2024 (Hybrid)
Tuition: $3,000
Grade Level: 9-12th grade
Instructors: Nicole Yen, Sonya Timko
Advisors: Hayley Nuetzel
Schedule:

Virtual Meetings (2 weeks)
- Live/Recorded Sessions
- Tuesdays; Thursdays (4-5 PM PST)
Hybrid Meetings (6 weeks)
- In Person Sessions: Saturdays (9 AM - 12 PM PST); Optional make-up days during weekday
- Live/Recorded Sessions: Thursdays (4-5 PM PST)
Asynchronous Schedule
- 2-3 hours/week of additional work

What is your favorite seafood meal – lobster rolls, New England clam chowder – how about beer-battered fish tacos? Seafood is an important protein source worldwide and thus susceptible to a variety of fraudulent practices. Seafood mislabeling (substituting an inexpensive species for one of higher value) is surprisingly common in both domestic and international markets. Fish fraud has long been a known problem worldwide; however difficult to regulate. Past studies using DNA barcoding have reported alarmingly high rates of mislabeling, especially in Southern California. Because large quantities of seafood are imported to the U.S., some portion of mislabeling may originate from foreign supplies – as a result, the FDA is particularily interested in and readily updates a guide on proper practices for industry. In this study, students will be part of a long-term monitoring project of seafood fraud in San Diego and learn the technical skills used in molecular biology and conservation careers.

Topics Include:

Scientific Method
Phylogenetics and Systematics
DNA Extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis
Phylogenetic Analyses Tools and Interpretation

Course Prerequisites and Requirements:

Have taken an advanced biology, environmental science, or marine science course prior to the start of our program.
Tier 1 Seafood Fraud Detectives (highly recommended)
Able to attend in-person meetings at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Tier 3 Courses

Introduction to Scientific Writing (TBD - Online)

Introduction to Scientific Writing (Application Closed)

Dates: TBD
Tuition: $2,000
Grade Level: 9-12th grade
Instructor: Nicole Yen and Sonya Timko
Schedule:

Synchronous
- TBD

Introduction to Scientific Writing is designed for students who have already taken a Tier 2 course and would like to translate their research project to an original manuscript. Students will publish in our Research Scholars, Marine Science Journal and develop the skills to become effective technical writers and communicators. Students will give a virtual Flash Talk and convey their research project in three minutes or less to a diverse audience.

This course is only open to students who completed the Tier 2 courses.

Topics Include

Principles of Effective Writing and Reading in Science
Organization and Formatting Manuscripts
Preparation of Figures and Citation Style
Communicating Science to a Diverse Audience

Other Program Information

Marine Science Application

Students can access the application from the "Apply Now" tab here.

Marine Science Acceptance

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

Marine Science Cancellation/Refund Policies

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation or withdrawal for any reason 2 weeks prior to the course start date.

Refunds for cancellation or withdrawal after the 2 weeks deadline be issued for serious illness (doctor's certificate is required) or extenuating circumstances only. Tuition is not refunded for students who are dismissed from the program.

HOW TO REQUEST A REFUND

All refund requests must be made in writing to Maysoon Dong, Associate Director for the Education & Community Outreach Department at: precollege@ucsd.edu. You will receive a confirmation of your request. Refunds will take approximately 4-6 weeks to process. Refunds are issued in the same method of payment (check or charge) of payment to UC San Diego Academic Connections.

COVID Policies - Hybrid Courses

Masking on campus is optional. For latest updates on our policies, please click here.
If you are experiencing or have had COVID-19 symptoms within the past 14 days, please stay at home.
If you believe that you have been in recent contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, please stay at home.

COVID-19 Policies - Residential Programs

Updated COVID-19 Guidelines for Academic Connections

The following replaces pp.11-12 of the Academic Connections Handbook

Per University of California Policy, the following elements are NOT required of attendees of Academic Connections:
- COVID-19 vaccination
- Masking, UNLESS symptomatic OR a close contact
- Pre-arrival or upon-arrival COVID-19 testing

What is required:

Weekly Testing

Provider-observed weekly COVID-19 testing will be required for each attendee.

The provider-observed verification form that is emailed to the student after a test is observed must be submitted by the student to the Academic Connections office via a secure, HIPAA-compliant form between 9A Monday and 9A Tuesday of each week. A secure, HIPAA-compliant form will be e-mailed to the student each Sunday night from the Director of Residence Life and must be returned with the provider-observed verification form attached by 9A Tuesday of each week of the program.

Failure to submit the weekly provider-observed verification form will result in parental notification and may result in expulsion from the program with no opportunity for refund.

Symptomatic Testing

Each student must independently monitor for COVID-19 symptoms throughout the program. Symptoms include any of the following: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigued muscles or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea. If any of these symptoms occur, the student must immediately test with a provider-observed COVID-19 testing kit. The provider-observed verification form that is emailed to the student after a test is observed will need to be submitted by the student to the Academic Connections office via a secure, HIPAA-compliant form right away. Failure to submit the provider-observed verification form will result in parental notification and may result in expulsion from the program with no opportunity for refund.

Exposure to COVID-19

If a student becomes exposed to a close-contact who has tested positive for COVID-19, they must take the following steps: Close contact is defined as sharing the same airspace with an infected person for more than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period.

Test immediately, and again 3-5 days post-exposure via a provider-observed COVID-19 test kit. The provider-observed verification form that is emailed to the student after a test is observed will need to be submitted by the student to the Academic Connections office via a secure, HIPAA-compliant form right away. Failure to submit the provider-observed verification form will result in parental notification and may result in expulsion from the program with no opportunity for refund.

Additionally, those exposed to a close-contact must:

Mask when around others for the next 10 days.

Self-monitor daily for symptoms for the next 10 days.

If symptoms develop, test at that time via the provider-observed testing kit and submit results using the secure, HIPAA-compliant form right away. Failure to submit the provider-observed verification form will result in parental notification and may result in expulsion from the program with no opportunity for refund.

Supplies

We recommend https://shop.emed.com/collections/all and the eMed Flu+Covid Telehealth Kit 6-pack that is $150 for the provider-observed test. It is HSA/FSA approved and is the most affordable option that we have found.

Parents or guardians must purchase or acquire at least 20 individually packaged KN95 or 10 N95 masks to send with their students to the program in case they become symptomatic during the program or if they come in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.

Parents or guardians will be notified by Academic Connections staff as soon as we know that a student tests positive for COVID-19 or influenza. Since there may be a gap in between your student’s test and submitting the results of that test to the Academic Connections staff, we strongly encourage parents/guardians to inquire frequently with their students about the results of any provider-observed test that they take, whether weekly, on a symptomatic basis, or as result of a close contact.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 or influenza must immediately mask and will be isolated until their guardians arrive to pick them up from the program, preferably within 8 hours of a positive test. However, a student must depart from the program with their guardian no more than 24 hours after testing positive for COVID-19 or influenza. During isolation, meals will be provided to students by program staff and they will be monitored. Should symptoms worsen before being picked up, students will be transported to UC San Diego Health for assessment and treatment.

Learn More

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

https://precollegescholars.community/research-scholars-marine-science/