Field
Courses
Read about what they are and other student's experiences
WHAT ARE
FIELD COURSES?
Field courses are two-week intensive learning experiences that allow you to live and learn in unique natural environments across Canada and internationally. They are opportunities to have an inside view of how biologists conduct fieldwork, to observe fascinating natural ecosystems, and to form powerful social connections and friendships with fellow students and instructors. Some OUPFB courses are taught by Western faculty, but you can take any field course offered by participating universities
STUDENT
"Taking Western's Experimental Marine Biology field course in New Brunswick was one of the best decisions I made in my Undergrad. I was never fully sure if field work was something I would be interested in in the long-run, but after this course I knew that it was.
The second week here consisted of asking and answering our own research question. During this time, we had to figure out the logistics for carrying out our experiments. If something didn't go according to plan, you had to make adjustments. It really tested our skills of problem solving and ability to adapt to change. I can now say with confidence that this is something I would love and will pusue in the future.​"​
- Cadence Underhill
EXPERIENCES
"This year I had the opportunity to participate in a field biology trip in St. Andrews, New Brunswick at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre. It was an incredibly rewarding experience that solidified my interest in marine biology. The trip provided hands-on experience that I would not have had access to through regular coursework.
Working with students from other universities made the experience more dynamic and exposed me to different approaches to fieldwork, as well as offering opportunities for networking with professors and students I may not have otherwise met.
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Much of our time was spent sampling marine organisms, including participating in fishing trawls (a personal highlight of the trip). Over the course of the trip, I was able to complete a final research project on the abundance of Carcinus maenas in relation to habitat features, which involved a full week of independent data collection followed by data analysis and the preparation of a written report. I really enjoyed getting to spend a week involved in independent data collection in the field, primarily catching and recording crabs throughout the day.
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Working directly with a range of marine organisms and exploring intertidal habitats helped tie together the fieldwork and research components of the course and gave me a clearer sense of what marine field research looks like in practice. Being able to do this work while exploring coastal and intertidal environments in New Brunswick, which were absolutely so beautiful, made the overall experience even more memorable."
- Katie Murphy
A WEEK
IN THE LIFE:
Experimental Studies in Marine Biology
Want to learn more?
Visit Western Universities Field Course webpage
Feel free to email cunderh2@uwo.ca to talk to a student, Cadence Underhill, about her experience with this course.