Puerto Rico
More information coming Winter 2026!
- Follow this link to receive notifications about future program offerings.
Immerse yourself in Puerto Rico’s vibrant coastal and marine ecosystems through hands-on research, conservation training, and field exploration. This intensive program blends classroom learning with real-world experience in marine biology, restoration, and sustainable resource management—equipping students with the skills to protect and sustain tropical environments.
For inquiries, please email:
Marine Science: Puerto Rico
Marine Science: Puerto Rico
- Dates: Coming Soon!
- Units: 7.00 Pre-College units, 90000 level
- Open to: 9th-12th grade students. Recent graduates welcome!
- Application: Opening January 2026!
- Application Deadline: Closed
- Payment Deadline: Closed
- Course Delivery: In Person
- Tuition: Coming Soon! Tuition includes course materials, room and board, all meals, ground transportation, and activities. It does not include airfare.
- Location: Puerto Rico
- Instructors: Coming Soon!
Located on Magueyes Island, an 18-acre field station of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, this immersive field program offers students a comprehensive understanding of tropical marine and coastal ecosystems through a blend of hands-on research, conservation training, and ecological exploration.
Surrounded by coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and a nearby bioluminescent bay, the island provides direct access to diverse tropical marine habitats within a protected bay off La Parguera. This unique setting supports an integrated learning experience where classroom instruction merges with field-based exploration to develop practical skills in marine biology, restoration, and sustainable resource management.
Throughout the program, participants engage in focused workshops and guided research from lead scientists at the University of Puerto Rico that emphasize 1) Coral Restoration and Conservation; 2) Field Biology and Identification; 3) Mangrove Ecology; and 4) Agricultural Practices. Through these topics, students better understand ecological relationships, conservation challenges, and restoration techniques essential for maintaining the health and resilience of tropical ecosystems. Magueyes Island’s exceptional natural environment and research infrastructure make it an unparalleled hub for student learning and research.
Through this program, students will get to explore the following:
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Coral Restoration and Conservation: This workshop introduces participants to coral reef biology, ecology, and conservation strategies. Students will learn about coral anatomy, reproduction, and the threats facing reef systems. Hands-on activities include microfragmentation practice, assessing coral coverage, and conducting disease surveys to understand restoration success and resilience.
Fish Biology and Identification: This class explores the biology, diversity, and conservation of tropical marine fishes. Students will learn how to prepare specimens for museum collections, understand morphological traits, and participate in field identification exercises using visual census and collection methods. Discussions will emphasize fish ecology, conservation, and taxonomy in Caribbean ecosystems.
Mangrove Ecology: This workshop examines the structure and function of mangrove ecosystems and their connections with coral reefs and seagrass beds. Students will learn about species interactions, nutrient cycling, and habitat dynamics. The class emphasizes experimental design and data collection, allowing participants to develop and execute small-scale ecological studies.
Agricultural Practices in Puerto Rico: This optional session introduces participants to local agricultural systems and soil management practices in Puerto Rico. Students will gain an understanding of tropical crop production, sustainable agriculture, and how agroecological principles relate to environmental conservation and community resilience.
Note: This program involves frequent outdoor, hands-on fieldwork in both terrestrial and marine environments. Students should be prepared for physical activity, exposure to the elements, and getting wet or muddy on most days.
Other Program Information
Application
- Application: Closed
- Application Deadline: Closed
FAQs
Is financial aid available?
Are applications accepted on a rolling basis?
Where are students staying?
Are flights included in tuition?
Is transportation from the airport included?
Will students have a roommate?
Is the Swim Test required to submit the application?
Are there international student requirements? (Visa information)
What are the application requirements?
What are 90000 level pre-college units?
How do I request a transcript?
Puerto Rico is a self-supported program and does not receive state or federal funding. As such, we are unable to provide financial aid or institutional grants. We encourage students to explore external scholarship opportunities through their school counselors, local organizations, and community resources.
Are applications accepted on a rolling basis?
No. Once the application period closes, a review committee will evaluate all submitted applications. Students will be notified of their admission status by mid-May.
Lodging details will be provided upon acceptance into the program.
Are flights included in tuition?
No. Tuition includes course materials, room and board, all meals, ground transportation, and activities. Airfare is not included.
Is transportation from the airport included?
More information regarding this question is coming soon!
Will students have a roommate?
Yes. Students will be housed by gender. Roommate assignments are primarily based on the Personal History form, which is available through the application. We encourage students to take their time and answer honestly when completing this form.
Is the Swim Test required to submit the application?
Yes. Students must complete the swim form in order to submit a complete application.
Are there international student requirements? (Visa information)
International students are welcome to apply to the Marine Science: Puerto Rico program; however, all participants are responsible for their own airfare. The program does not qualify for an F-1 student visa, and most international students enter the U.S. on a tourist visa. There are no English language test requirements.
What are the application requirements?
- Pay the nonrefundable online application fee.
- Complete the online application, including uploading all required documents as directed.
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.
How do I request a transcript?
For instructions on how to order a 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.
You can also view/download your grade report by logging in your MyExtension here.
Student Experience
Coming Soon!
Acceptance
Students will be notified of their status by mid-May.
Cancellation/Refund Policies
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY
Cancellation or withdrawal for any reason two months prior to the start of the program will receive a tuition refund. The application fee is non-refundable.
Tuition is not refunded for students who are dismissed from the program.
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 4-6 weeks to process. Refunds are issued in the same method of payment (check or charge) of payment to UC San Diego Research Scholars. Service fees are non-refundable.
To request a refund, contact Diana Hernandez at dih001@ucsd.edu.