MAR 104, Oceanography, 3 Credits

Stony Brook Southampton
July 8 - 21, 2025

Students will examine the World Ocean and the chemical, geological, and physical processes that control its major features and the life that inhabits it, as well as explore human interactions with the marine environment. This intensive course is specifically designed for motivated high school students wishing to earn college credit, but current undergraduates (both SBU and visiting), graduates, or professionals can also enroll. The short-term course will run for 2 weeks and meet for 4 – 5.5 hours each weekday at the Stony Brook Southampton campus. Content will be delivered via lectures, in- class activities (including a live plankton lab!), and 2 boat trips during which students will explore nearby coastal habitats using oceanographic sampling equipment. Students must have completed high school biology and be at least 16 years old.  Optional housing is availalbe for students who are at least 17 years old.

Section 01: Dr. Kurt Bretsch (class # TBD)

Enrollment for SBU undergrads begins in early April.  Open enrollment for high school students and visiting undergrads occurs mid to end of April. Note that the course can fill quickly.

To ENROLL, follow instructions below:
Select Current Students, High School Students, or Visiting Students from the blue boxes at the top of THIS PAGE.
High School Students: on your page, be sure to scroll down to where you will find “Steps To Enroll”.  The enrollment process might take 3-5 days.

For enrollment questions/help, contact summerschool@stonybrook.edu

Housing at Southampton Campus
If you are 17 or older at the beginning of the course, you can live in the Southampton residence halls during the 2 weeks of the coruse.

• Click for Housing Information

  SOUTHAMPTON HOUSING; COLLEGE AGED

  • Off-campus shuttle service is not available.  Students should have their own vehicle.
  • Southampton residence halls are suite style with a shared bathroom and kitchen.  Oceanography students could be placed in room assignments with other Stony Brook Southampton residents.
  • Dining facilities are not available at the Southampton campus.  Students prepare meals in their kitchens.
  • This option is for mature, responsible, independent students.  Be aware that programmatic activities will not be provided outside of the course meeting times.

  TO REGISTER FOR HOUSING: First, enroll in the course.  After you receive your Stony Brook ID #fill out the Oceanography Summer Housing Application.  Applications must be received no later than 5 pm June 25st.

  – Oceanography students will need to agree to the policies and information listed in the Stony Brook Southampton Oceanography Housing Application.

  – Housing cancellations must occur prior to arrival. Once a student checks in and receives a key, they are financially liable for the duration of their housing agreement.

  If you have questions regarding housing, contact shstudentlife@stonybrook.edu

For most recent course COST, visit this page

• Estimated costs for 3 credit course are ~$1100 for in-state tuition, ~$3300 for out of state tuition, and optional ~ $800 for 13 days of housing.

• Summer tuition charges will post to your SOLAR account in mid-May.  Housing charges (if you fill out the Oceanography Summer Housing Application) will be posted separately upon assignmnent by Southampton Student Life.
• Due to the extensive wait list for this course, payment is due by 5 p.m. June 23 to ensure your spot in the class.

For the most updated course Syllabus, click here.

The textbook is required: Essentials of Oceanography, edition 8, by Tom Garrison & Robert Ellis, ISBN-13: 9781337098649.  Students are encouraged to read the entire textbook prior to the first day of class.

SoMAS Total Immersion Scholarship: High school students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the marine sciences are eligible to apply.  Recipients will recieve up to $2000 to cover the cost of course enrollment and housing.  To learn more, visit this site.   This site contatins information about potential Scholarship opportunites offered by other sources.

For questions about course content/schedule contact Kurt.Bretsch@stonybrook.edu

Read more about the course in this Stony Brook University news article.

This course fulfills SNW Stony Brook University educational diversity categories.

Frequently asked questions

• Q – Why does the course begin on a Tuesday and end on Monday?

  A – This schedule allows students to have 4 days of lectures and in-class activities followed by a full weekend to study before each of the 2 exams, as well as a stress free boat trip after each exam.  Each year students overwhelmingly report that they prefer this schedule over a Monday to Friday schedule in which exams would be on Fridays.

• Q – Why does my course payment receipt indicate a 6 week course duration?

  A – The longer period is the 6-week summer two session, within which the condensed 2-week Oceanography course runs.  This is an artifact of University scheduling and you can disregard the 6-week dates.

• Q – I am a high school student who will not attend Stony Brook University as an undergraduate. Are the credits guaranteed to transfer to another school?

  A – The 3 credits are Stony Brook University credits which should be easily transferable to any other school. To confirm, you should contact the school to which you are applying.

• Q – Am I required to live in residence during the course?

  A – No. The University offers housing for students who do not have local housing options, but most local students will live at home.  Note that if you are of college age (17 or older), you can live at the Southampton campus.

• Q – What do I need to bring for the field trips?

  A – You MUST wear close-toed shoes on the boat and in the water (old sneakers are best). Since you will get IN the water during the Shinnecock Bay trip, appropriate swimwear is required.  Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and layers are highly recommended.

• Q – Do I have to be 16 years old?

  A – We prefer students to be at least 16 and recommend that you wait to take the course till then. However, if you are an exemplary 15 year old, can live locally (residence halls are not an option unless you are at least 17), and you can only take the course this summer, you might be able to enroll. You must have your science teacher email a letter of recommendation to Dr. Bretsch at kurt.bretsch@stonybrook.edu. The letter must address your maturity, academic performance, and reason for wanting to take the course.

  After receiving permission via an email confirmation from Dr. Bretsch, fill out this form.

  If you turn 16 between April and the beginning of class, email summerschool@stonybrook.edu  for assistance with registration.

• Q – I have my SBU ID #, why can’t I register for the course?

  A – In order to proceed with the registration process, you may need to clear the holds in your SOLAR account. Please log into SOLAR and go to the Action Center on the left side of the home page. Look to the HOLDS BOX. Click the “view details…” link at the bottom of the HOLDS BOX. Click the link for each of the holds present and follow the prompts and instructions to clear them. Once this is done, you should be able to proceed with registration.  If still unable to register, email summerschool@stonybrook.edu and ask for assistance.