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Marine Science 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.

We only have one Tier 3 course currently available. Please view below for additional information. 

Quarter Dates, Schedules, and Deadlines

Introduction to Scientific Writing (Fall 2025)

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: CLOSED
  • 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 
  • Prerequisite: Successful completion of a 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: CLOSED
  • 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.  

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: