Accepting applications for Semester by the Sea in Spring 2027!
Spend a semester on the coast and dive into cutting-edge research with this comprehensive spring program for UT undergraduates. Semester by the Sea combines coursework and research at our field station in Port Aransas.
The spring Semester by the Sea (SBTS) program offers several courses that count towards degree requirements for EVS, EEB, & MS.
- MNS 352 Geology of the Gulf Coast
- MNS 352M Marine Community Ecology
- MNS 354Q Marine Environmental Science
- MNS 356 Ecosystem Oceanography
- MNS 370 Special Studies in Marine Science
Students accepted into the program are eligible for:
- Campus Housing
- Financial aid for students enrolled in all 4 classes in 2027
- Top students are eligible for a travel award to a national or regional science meeting based on their research.
- Some students complete EVS capstone projects through Semester by the Sea
- Most students hired to work in labs over the summer at UT MSI start as Semester by the Sea students
- Access to marine instrumentation and a diverse small boat fleet at UTMSI for field research
Courses count towards degree requirements for EVS, EEB, & MFS.
- Each course satisfies a requirement in the Prescribed Work or Major Requirements for the EVS Biology degree (e.g. Climates and Oceans, Physiology, and Taxon-based).
- All courses would count toward the 21-hour requirement for students in the MS degree option.
While taking our field courses, students accepted into the "Spring Semester by the Sea" program may also register for MNS 370 (Independent Research) and:
- Identify a faculty research mentor.
- Develop an independent field-based research project.
- Work in a research lab.
- Become familiar with the primary scientific literature for independent inquiry and research.
Semester by the Sea Spring 2027
On-campus housing in the MSI dormitory in Port Aransas is available. The dorm includes a student lounge with a table, seating area, and kitchen. Room rates to be determined. Each student is required to sign a rental agreement and pay a deposit, along with the first month's rent, by the first day of class (January 11, 2027). Check-in to dorms begins at 4:00 p.m. from January 8, 2027, through January 10, 2027. Check-out is at 11:00 am on May 3, 2027.
The application deadline for Semester by the Sea Spring 2027, is July 15, 2026.
For more information, email Jamey Pelfrey at jamey.pelfrey@austin.utexas.edu, Graduate Program Administrator.
