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Sea Education Association: Marine Biodiversity & Conservation (Outgoing Program)

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  • Locations: Auckland, New Zealand; Multiple, Multiple; Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia; Woods Hole MA, United States;
  • Program Terms: Winter-Spring
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: Sea Education Association 
  • Dates / Deadlines
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Type of Program: Study Abroad Housing Options: Residence Hall
Area of Study: Biology, Earth Science, Ecology, Environmental Studies, Geology, Independent Study, Marine Science, Molecular Biology, Sciences Language of Instruction: English
Class Eligibility: 3 Junior, 4 Senior
Program Description:
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, you’ll collect zooplankton specimens from the mesopelagic (the Ocean Twilight Zone), and conduct group research projects addressing population genomics and biodiversity. You’ll examine how these ecosystems are responding to climate change, and gain an understanding of how such research informs conservation policy.

This is the inaugural voyage of this cruise track for the MBC program and will establish what 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.

Prerequisites are one introductory science course and one 200-level science lab.


Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Winter-Spring 2025 10/15/2024 ** Rolling Admission TBA TBA

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.