Field Quarters

20 Credits

Prerequisites:  BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B, BIOE 20C or ENVS 23, 24, 100; and STAT 7 and 7L.  Enrollment by application and interview two quarters in advance.

Why California?

California is a global biodiversity hotspot and known for its diversity of ecosystems including islands, coastal scrub and sage, lagoons, sub-alpine and alpine forests, tundra, and desert islands, subtropical scrublands, and deserts. Unfortunately, human development and its impacts have profoundly impacted many parts of this ecological landscape – from direct development to contamination to introduced species. This course utilizes University of California Natural Reserve System as natural laboratories to teach advanced ecological principles and innovative approaches to conservation.

What is the course content?

Dr. Don Croll of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Dr. Gage Dayton of the UC Natural Reserve System will jointly teach this 20-unit supercourse. It will focus on field methods, ecology, and conservation. The course will be equivalent to the content of four on-campus courses. A large component of the course will consist of written and oral presentations. Through class lecture, discussion, student projects, and field research projects, you will gain an understanding of: 1) fundamental concepts in ecology; 2) principles of conservation biology; 3) geomorphology and climate, 4)) field research techniques; and 6) field techniques for conservation.

Course Costs and Aid

This course will require a course fee of approximately $1,597 for food, local travel, and field research supplies. We have been successful in securing additional financial aid for students who qualify and that the financial aid department has identified as meeting the need requirements. We can provide more details in our pre-application meeting and or talk to you one on one.

Please do not let the finances discourage you from applying. We work hard to support eligible students to cover the course fees. If you have questions, please reach out.

What is the approach?

The course will begin with lectures and field research based at the UCSC Reserves (Año Nuevo, Younger Lagoon, Campus, and in the Santa Cruz Mountains). Using this background, we will embark on three overnight extended field trips to further hone our conservation research skills and address more specific questions. We will spend a long weekend at a local reserve, return to Santa Cruz to write up your results, then go to our Big Creek Reserve located in the Big Sur Coast for approximately one week, return to Santa Cruz to write your papers and analyze data, then head to Santa Cruz Island for approximately one week to conduct your final research project, and finally return to Santa Cruz where you will write up for your final paper and give a presentation on your research.

How it applies to your major:

EEB Majors:

• Students enroll in BIOE 151A,B,C, and D (20 credits*) via permission number.

• Satisfies a minimum of three, and possibly as many as four, electives for BS majors (whether Topical or General depends on the major.  Consult with an advisor before enrolling); as well as two lab/field requirements. Two lab/field courses are required in the BS majors.

• Satisfies four upper division electives for Biology BA; as well as one lab/field requirement. Only one lab/field course is required in the Biology BA.

• Senior Comprehensive Requirement (1 upper division lab/field course).

• Successful completion of BIOE 151B fufills one DC Requirement course for students in EEB Department majors. 

ENVS Majors:

Check with the ENVS undergraduate advisor for specific equivalencies for major/graduation requirements.

For more information contact Gage Dayton at ghdayton@ucsc.edu.

Upcoming Offerings: Spring 2027

How to apply: 

Check back here in mid-Fall 2026 for the application for the Spring 2027 offering.

*Please note that enrolling in more than 19 credits cannot be done until the first day of class. Because this experience is a 20-credit experience, it is the student's responsibility to enroll in the first three classes in a timely manner, and then in the fourth class on or as soon as possible after the first day of class, and before the add/drop/swap deadline.

20 Credits

Offerd Fall, Odd-Numbered Years

Prerequisites:  Satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements.  Admission by application and interview two quarters in advance.

The Marine Ecology Field Quarter is a course that combines 4 modules including a field component into a quarter-long lecture-field course that is split between UCSC campus and a field station.  Currently the field locations are Corsica, France and Sitka, Alaska.  This course provides total immersion in marine ecology for very motivated students.  It is specifically designed for students that are anticipating a career in marine biology/ecology and/or those interested in pursuing a graduate degree in marine ecology or conservation.  In addition the curriculum is designed to ensure students make accelerated progress to their degree.  All students in the class develop a research project during first five weeks on campus and then spend five weeks of immersion in directed research in isolated locations off campus (Corsica, or Sitka; past locations include the Gulf of California in Mexico, South Africa,  and Moorea in French Polynesia).

For students who intend to SCUBA dive, BIOE 75 (Scientific Diving) or the equivalent AAUS Scientific Diving certification is a prerequisite. Note that several SCUBA courses are prerequisites to BIOE 75. Visit the Scientific Diving website to learn about the schedule of these courses and the physical exam options.

BIOE 159ABCE Corsica, FR - Upcoming Offerings: Fall 2027

How it applies to your major:

• Students enroll in BIOE 159A,B,C, and E (20 credits) which will appear in their transcript.

  1. 1. 1. • • Satisfies a minimum of three, and possibly as many as four, electives for BS majors (whether Topical or General depends on the major.  Consult with an advisor before enrolling); as well as two lab/field requirements. Two lab/field courses are required in the BS majors.

             • Satisfies four upper division electives for Biology BA; as well as one lab/field requirement. Only one lab/field course is required in the Biology BA.

             • Senior Comprehensive Requirement (1 upper division lab/field course).

             • Successful completion of BIOE 159A fulfills one DC Requirement course for students in EEB Department majors. .

• How to apply:  Check back here in Winter 2027 for information on the planned Fall 2027 experience.

*Please note that enrolling in more than 19 credits cannot be done until the first day of class. Because this experience is a 20-credit experience, it is the student's responsibility to enroll in the first three classes in a timely manner, and then in the fourth class on or as soon as possible after the first day of class, and before the add/drop/swap deadline. 

**If you decide to enroll in BIOE 75 in the same fall quarter, you will need approval from your college, prior to the first day of class, for enrollment in 23 credits. Note that the Fall offering of BIOE 75 is actually completed in August/early September before Fall quarter begins.

20 Credits

Offered Winter, Odd-Numbered Years Update: 2.5.26: will NOT be offered in Winter 2027. Next planned offering will be Winter 2029.

Prerequisites:  Satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements.  Admission by application and interview two quarters in advance.

The Marine Ecology Field Quarter is a course that combines 4 modules including a field component into a quarter-long lecture-field course that is split between UCSC campus and a field station.  Currently the field locations are Corsica, France and Sitka, Alaska.  This course provides total immersion in marine ecology for very motivated students.  It is specifically designed for students that are anticipating a career in marine biology/ecology and/or those interested in pursuing a graduate degree in marine ecology or conservation.  In addition the curriculum is designed to ensure students make accelerated progress to their degree.  All students in the class develop a research project during first five weeks on campus and then spend five weeks of immersion in directed research in isolated locations off campus (Corsica, or Sitka; past locations include the Gulf of California in Mexico, South Africa,  and Moorea in French Polynesia).

For students who intend to SCUBA dive, BIOE 75 (Scientific Diving) or the equivalent AAUS Scientific Diving certification is a prerequisite. Note that several SCUBA courses are prerequisites to BIOE 75. Visit the Scientific Diving website to learn about the schedule of these courses and the physical exam options.

BIOE 159ACDF Sitka, AK - Upcoming Offerings: Winter 2029 

How it applies to your major:

• Students enroll in BIOE 159A,C,D, and F (20 credits) which will appear in their transcript.

  1. 1. 1. 1. • Satisfies a minimum of three, and possibly as many as four, electives for BS majors (whether Topical or General depends on the major.  Consult with an advisor before enrolling); as well as two lab/field requirements. Two lab/field courses are required in the BS majors.

              • Satisfies four upper division electives for Biology BA; as well as one lab/field requirement. Only one lab/field course is required in the Biology BA.

              • Senior Comprehensive Requirement (1 upper division lab/field course).

              • Successful completion of BIOE 159A fufills one DC Requirement course for students in EEB Department majors. .

• How to apply:  Check back here in Winter/Spring 2028 for information on the planned Winter 2029 experience.

*Please note that enrolling in more than 19 credits cannot be done until the first day of class. Because this experience is a 20-credit experience, it is the student's responsibility to enroll in the first three classes in a timely manner, and then in the fourth class on or as soon as possible after the first day of class, and before the add/drop/swap deadline. 

20 Credits (beginning Spring 2026)

Offered annually in Spring

Natural History Field Quarter (NHFQ) focuses on studying natural history and land management issues all over California.  NHFQ is taught every spring quarter.  Applications for this course are due early fall quarter.  

For more information about NHFQ, please visit the Natural History Field Quarter page on the Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History webpage.  Information about the structure of the course, the current-year application, and upcoming informational meetings and due dates can be found there.

Questions regarding NHFQ can be directed to Chris Lay, the Administrative Director of the Norris Center and NHFQ instructor.  He can be reached via email (cml@ucsc.edu), or phone: (831) 459-4763.

How it applies to your major:

• Students enroll in ENVS 107A,B,C, and D

• Satisfies three general electives and one lab/field course requirement for Ecology and Evolution BS, Marine Biology BS, and Plant Sciences BS. A minimum of two approved lab/field courses is required to graduate for BS majors, so students should plan to take an additional lab or field course/Field Quarter to meet this degree requirement.

• The NHFQ is currently not applicable in the Biology BA. 

With the redesign of this course for Spring 2026, please check with an EEB Advisor and/or the university catalog for your major and/or your Degree Progress Report (DPR) to determine whether or not this is a DC option for the BS majors.

Upcoming offerings: Applications for Spring 2027 Natural History Field Quarter (NHFQ) close in early November, 2026. No  late applications will be accepted. More info may be located HERE.

19 Credits

Offered annually in Fall, Spring, and Summer quarters

Prerequisites:  All students must pass an introductory ecology or biology course prior to acceptance. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required.

California Ecology and Conservation is a UC wide course offered through the Natural Reserve System.   It is an intensive program of study with a focus on field methods, ecology, and conservation.  A total of 27 students will be accepted, ideally three from each of the nine general campuses.

How it applies to your major:

• Students enroll via UCEAP in XBIO or XENV 188.

• Provides equivalency* of BIOE 150, BIOE 150L and one EEB General Elective.

• Satisfies only one upper division lab/field requirement for students in BS majors in EEB, regardless of the number of courses completed in the experiences.  A minimum of two approved lab/field courses is required to graduate for BS majors, so students should plan to take an additional lab or field course/Field Quarter to meet this degree requirement.

• Contingent upon the course being taught by UC Santa Cruz instructors, students will receive credit for one of two DC Requirement courses in EEB majors upon successful completion if the course is taken Spring 2023 and following.  Students should check with advisors prior to enrollment to determine if the DC can be applied in any given quarter of enrollment. 

• The course is unavailable as a DC requirement if taken prior to Spring 2023. 

*Course equivalency listed above is only for purposes of tracking the number of major courses completed. Students earn 19 credits in a single course, and the course is not associated with any specific major requirements in the degree progress report (DPR). Students should contact eebadvising@ucsc.edu once a passing grade (C or higher) has been earned in the class and request that the course/credits be entered as appropriate exceptions to requirements in the DPR.

Upcoming offerings:

View More Info Here, including application deadlines for upcoming quarters.

Offered annually Fall, Spring and Summer.