The Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) is a thriving and energetic place.
Our faculty and graduate students are engaged in cutting-edge research both locally and globally, ranging from organic and inorganic compounds in planktonic systems to global climate change, from marine conservation to weather forecasting, and much more.
With a state-of-the-art Marine Sciences Center, our Southampton location offers opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as for high school students in the summer.
Visit the main SoMAS site for more information and how to contact us.
Looking to dive into the world of marine science this summer?
Our intensive 100-level courses at Stony Brook Southampton are perfect for motivated high school students (ages 16 and up) who have completed high school biology and want to earn college credit, as well as for current undergraduates, graduates, and professionals seeking to expand their knowledge. These two-week courses offer a unique opportunity to learn from experts while engaging in hands-on activities at our waterfront Southampton campus.
These courses each fulfill the SNW Stony Brook University educational diversity categories.
Classes meet for 4 to 5.5 hours each weekday for two weeks, providing an immersive learning environment. Optional housing is available for students. Enrollment for Stony Brook undergraduates begins in early April, with open enrollment for high school students and visiting undergraduates starting in mid to late April. Note: These courses tend to fill quickly!
Explore our summer offerings below:
View the photo gallery and read about our sea scallop predation experiment in Shinnecock Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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 on the Southampton campus.
We prefer students to be at least 16 years old and recommend waiting until then to
take the course. However, an exception may be made for a highly motivated 15-year-old
who lives locally (as residence halls are not available to students under 17) and
for whom this summer is the only opportunity to take the course.
If this is the case, you must have your science teacher email a letter of recommendation
to Dr. Kurt Bretsch at kurt.bretsch@stonybrook.edu for MAR 104 or Marissa DeBonis at marissa.debonis@stonybrook.edu for MAR 110 and MAR 106. 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 or Marissa, fill out this form.
If you turn 16 between April and the beginning of class, email summerschool@stonybrook.edu for assistance with registration.
To proceed with the registration process, you may need to clear the holds in your
SOLAR account.
Please log in to 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 for assistance.
You MUST wear closed-toed shoes on the boat and in the water (old sneakers are best).
For some classes, you will get IN the water during the Shinnecock Bay trip and appropriate
swimwear is required. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and layers are highly recommended.
Learn more about the most recent course cost.
To ENROLL, follow the instructions below:
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 course.
