What to expect

Coursework

While the Sea Change Semester is an experiential learning program, your experience will be grounded in 12 credits of rigorous ocean science courses. These courses include 6 research cruises and independent research projects.

Research Cruises

Research cruises happen in September, October, and November and are day-long endeavors. You will board the 48’ Research Vessel Bowditch to collect physical, chemical, and biological data. On these cruises, you will visit 4 stations from within the Damariscotta River Estuary to the open ocean. Typically, you will spend half a day beforehand preparing for the cruise and half a day after analyzing samples and cleaning gear.

Independent Research

As part of the program, you will work closely with a professional scientist at Bigelow to answer exciting questions in ocean science. These projects span topics and we work hard to match you with mentors that have aligned interests. Near the end of the program, you will complete a science communication workshop where you will learn how to share your research with a general audience. Be sure to check out videos about research projects from past program participants!

Field trips

The program includes field trips that complement your coursework on campus. As part of the orientation in week 1, the group will kayak to a local island. During the Ocean Environment course, the group will venture to Port Clyde and take a boat to Allen Island for a few days.

Living in Midcoast Maine

Tufts students have the option to live in Bigelow Laboratory housing or to find their own housing off-campus. Students who opt to live in Bigelow Laboratory housing would be staying in the McKee House and would have access to the fitness room in the Residence Hall. All buildings, including the McKee House, are equipped with high speed WiFI access.

The Boothbay Region does not have public transportation options or reliable ride-share/taxi services. We highly recommend bringing your car with you if you have one. Arrangements can be made for students without cars to get groceries and into town.

The town of East Boothbay (within walking distance from our campus) has a general store, restaurant, post office, public dock, and beach. The town of Boothbay Harbor where you can get groceries is a 10 minute drive from Bigelow Laboratory. The Boothbay Region YMCA (8 minute drive from campus) is well-equipped with an Olympic-size swimming pool, indoor track, basketball, racquetball, squash and tennis courts, and weight and cardio exercise facilities.

East Boothbay is a small, rural community in Midcoast Maine. It offers plenty of outdoor activities with unparalleled vistas of the rugged Maine coast. Hiking trails are abundant and within close proximity to the laboratory. Just 10 minutes from the lab, you’ll find Boothbay Harbor, a booming summer tourist town that turns sleepy in the Fall. As the holidays approach, the Harbor reawakens with opportunities for dining, shopping, and attending local events.

Accommodations

We understand and respect that no two experiences of a disability are the same. We will work to support you in identifying accommodations and strategies that are most appropriate for you and your time at Bigelow in the Sea Change Semester program. Bigelow acknowledges that a diversity of individuals and ideas strengthens our work, and we are committed to providing access to our programs to ensure equitable living and learning. Students with disabilities and/or health conditions that require accommodations are encouraged to contact our Education Coordinator.