Marine Biodiversity & Conservation - Spring 2026

Undergraduate Program

Multilateral efforts like the United Nations High Seas Treaty are on the forefront of modern biodiversity protection.

Oceans may contain more than one million species, however, less than one-quarter of these have been identified. Marine biodiversity has the potential to transform medicine, industry, environmental remediation, and energy production, but is threatened by pollution, habitat destruction, over-fishing, and climate change. Studying organisms beyond national boundaries is crucial to understanding and conserving our ocean ecosystems.

Using the same portable next generation sequencing platform employed on the International Space Station and in both the Arctic and Antarctic wilderness, students enrolled in SEA’s Marine Biodiversity & Conservation Program learn how to use modern molecular tools to ask and answer ecological and conservation questions as they sail from New Zealand to Tahiti.

Traversing a range of bioregions, including temperate, blue water, and tropical, students will collect zooplankton specimens from the mesopelagic (the Ocean Twilight Zone), and conduct group research projects addressing population genomics and biodiversity. Students will examine how these ecosystems are responding to climate change, and gain an understanding of how such research informs conservation policy.

The MBC program along this cruise track is planned as a long-term and much needed data set that can help shape conservation in the Pacific.

The program ends in Tahiti with a two-week second shore component and student-led symposium with local stakeholders, scientists, and conservationists.

The Marine Biodiversity & Conservation program is geared toward students interested in in ocean science as a career, as well as those interested in marine ecology and conservation, molecular biology, or environmental marine policy.

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Spring 2026

Feb 24 - May 23

Feb 24 - Mar 30

Woods Hole, MA

May, 12 - May, 23

Moorea at University of California\'s Gump Station

Mar 31 - May 10

At Sea

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Learning Objectives

Students participating in this program can expect the following:

Extract, amplify, sequence, and learn bioinformatic pipelines to analyze DNA in the ship’s lab

Engage in real-world research on population genomics and contribute to biodiversity conservation

Embark on a blue water crossing from New Zealand to Tahiti

Port Stops

*Port stops are not guaranteed and will be evaluated based on weather conditions closer to the sea component.

Papeete, Windward Islands

Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand

Locations

*Port stops are not guaranteed and will be evaluated based on weather conditions closer to the on shore component.

Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand

Pape\'ete, Tahiti

Academic Credit

Course Descriptions & Syllabi

This program carries 18 semester hour credits from Boston University for successful completion of the program. Prerequisites are one introductory science course and one 200-level science lab.

Syllabi for previous years are available for review. Detailed course content for future programs is dependent on cruise track, seasons, port stops, current events and faculty, and will be available closer to the program start date.

Advanced Topics in Biological Oceanography400 level, 4 credits

Two lab science courses (one at the 200-level or higher) or consent of instructor.
In-depth treatment of a single topic in biological oceanography. Extensive review of classical and contemporary literature. Introduction and practice of current laboratory techniques. Oral presentation and written research proposal required. Topics may include marine plankton ecology, marine biodiversity, and satellite oceanography.

Ocean Science and Public Policy300 level, 3 credits

Culture, history, political systems and science can shape ocean policy. Practice current strategies to build, analyze, and communicate about diverse policy issues. Examine the power, use and limitations of science and the scientist’s voice in determining ocean policy.

Environmental Communication300 level, 3 credits

Seminar focusing on communication skills development for environmental scholars. Introduces the field of environmental communication, examines environmental attitudes and behaviors, and develops a toolkit of communications strategies. Includes projects in data visualization, multi-media presentation and digital storytelling.

Directed Oceanographic Research300 level, 4 credits

Two lab science courses (one at the 200-level or higher) or consent of instructor.
Design and conduct original oceanographic research. Collect data and analyze samples. Compile results in peer-reviewed manuscript format and share during oral or poster presentation session. Emphasis on development of research skills and written/oral communication abilities.

Nautical Science200 level, 3 credits

Learn the fundamentals of sailing ship operation, in preparation for direct application at sea. Navigation (piloting, celestial and electronic), weather, engineering systems, safety, and sail theory. Participate as an active member of the ship’s crew on an offshore voyage.

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