Now accepting applications for Semester by the Sea in Spring 2026!
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 354Q Marine Environmental Science
- MNS 352 Marine Geoecology
- MNS 356 Ecosystem Oceanography
- MNS 352 Marine Technology and Field Methods
- MNS 370 Special Studies in Marine Science
- MNS 152R* Research Methods and Reporting in Marine Science
*NEW THIS YEAR: MNS 152R in Fall 2025 is recommended but not required for students enrolling in MNS 370 during 2026 Semester by the Sea. Students not taking MNS152R may arrange with a faculty member to do independent research for 1, 2, or 3 credits (MNS 170, 270, or 370).
Students accepted into the program are eligible for:
- Campus Housing – To guarantee access to campus housing, you must be registered for all SBTS classes.
- Financial aid for students enrolled in all 4 classes in 2026
- 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 2026
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 will be announced soon. 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 12, 2026). Check-in to dorms begins at 4:00 p.m. from January 9, 2026, through January 11, 2026. Check-out is at noon on May 4, 2026.
