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
To visit Western's Field Couse page
STUDENT
Experimental Studies in Marine Biology
St. Andrews, New Brunswick
"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
"I highly recommend a field course to any biology student, especially those interested in ecology. It’s a great way to gain experience in hands-on fieldwork and independent research. The best part of the marine biology course in New Brunswick was seeing wild animals like basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus), harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), porpoises (Phoecoena phocoena), and the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis). The pace is gruelling and fast but after it’s done, you’ll miss the friends you made along the way.
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Shout-out to Snorkel the harbour seal!"​
- Naoko Nguyen
"Spending time in New Brunswick was one of the most memorable parts of my biology experience. Working with the tides, collecting samples, and learning directly in the field really brought everything I’d learned in class to life.
It was also a chance to make close friends, share long field days and late nights, and come away with memories that made the experience both meaningful and unforgettable."​
- Nikolas Rohde
Tropical Marine Environments
Half Moon Caye, Belize
"The Tropical Marine Environments field course instructed by Dr. Taylor was one of the most memorable experiences of my undergraduate degree. Set in Half Moon Caye, Belize, the course provided a unique opportunity to learn in an environment that was both breathtaking and intellectually stimulating. Although I felt nervous going in, given the high expectations and unfamiliar setting, it quickly became one of the most engaging and rewarding courses I have taken.
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From exploring vibrant marine ecosystems to designing and conducting our own research projects, every day brought new challenges and discoveries. The opportunity to visit multiple field sites early on helped us develop our project ideas, and the guides’ deep knowledge of the local wildlife and geography was invaluable. ​
With limited access to Wi-Fi or cell service, students formed strong connections, from spending time together in the field and working on our field journals, to playing volleyball and simply enjoying the island.
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The combination of hands-on research, immersive learning, and meaningful friendships made this experience truly unforgettable. I would highly recommend this course to any student interested in exploring science from a new perspective."
- Sofia Doga Mercan
"Participating in the Tropical Marine Environments field course was one of the most memorable experiences of my undergrad career. Learning about this course in my second year, I knew that it was something that would provide me with an educational experience that I would not be able to get in the classroom.
Living on the remote island, Half Moon Caye, you are surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty that you cannot find anywhere else. Being awoken to the incredible sunrises every morning, to falling asleep under a sky full of stars - days in Belize were filled with adventures and discoveries of our natural world. One of the highlights of the course was snorkelling in the vibrant coral reefs, seeing animals such as colourful fish, crustaceans, rays, and even some sharks.
The knowledge learned, friendships formed, and memories created made this course an unforgettable experience, one that I recommend to everyone!"
- Brooklyn Haibeck
"Going into the course, I must admit I was pretty nervous and not quite sure what to expect. I didn’t realize I was about to embark on one of the most life-altering experiences I’ve ever had the privilege of being part of.
After a night at a base on the outskirts of Belize, where I met the group of people who would soon become close friends, we set course for Half Moon Caye. As we arrived, we were greeted not only by an incredible team of instructors and guides, but also by sharks, hermit crabs, and iguanas.
For ten days we lived in tents right by the water, completely off the grid. Our days were filled with diving, snorkeling, exploring the littoral forest, and learning about the island’s species and history. We kept handwritten journals of our observations and designed our own research projects on species found on the island, relying purely on observation, curiosity, and the small collection of books in the main bungalow.
This was easily the most hands-on scientific experience I’ve ever had. I returned from the course with the aspiration of becoming a wildlife researcher, and an itch to continue a path in field work. My advice to future students is to truly make the most of every moment; try to improve your diving, understand something you've never seen up close before, make new friends, and wear shoes on the sand because the corals are sharp!"
- Ariana Vasquez De Velasco
Urban Ecology
London, Ontario
“One of the most significant academic experiences I have had was enrolling in the Western Urban Ecology field course. The first week was spent learning a range of field techniques and exploring different habitats across the city of London, which pushed me to move beyond textbook knowledge and engage with ecological processes in real time. Being immersed directly in the environments we were studying helped me develop sharper observational skills, ask more insightful questions, and connect small field-level details to broader ecological concepts.
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In the second week, we designed and carried out our own independent research projects, applying one or more of the techniques we had just learned. This experience strengthened my confidence in data collection, on-the-spot pattern interpretation, and collaborative problem-solving with peers and instructors. It also helped me begin developing a genuine researcher mindset, thinking critically, adapting methods, and making sense of complex systems.
What I took away most was a deeper appreciation for how dynamic and interconnected urban ecosystems are. The course reaffirmed my passion for ecology and gave me practical skills and a renewed sense of purpose that I’ll carry into future research and coursework.”
- Sahil Mehta
A WEEK
IN THE LIFE:
Experimental Studies in Marine Biology
Urban Ecology
First Sunday - campus tour + quiz. Introduce iNaturalist. We will develop skills like keeping a field notebook, using binoculars, and measuring noise.
AM – campus tour, using iNaturalist, using binoculars; remind students about the Urbanization Gradient assignment
PM – develop a lab notebook, measuring noise around campus.
Monday - Gibbons Park vs Baldwin Flats (mowed vs unmowed); develop some data collection skills in the lab (leaf measurements), diameter at breast height
AM – Baldwin Flats, measure some diameter at breast height, collect leaf samples (labelled)
PM – Gibbons Park to compare a maintained vs unmaintained space, go back to the lab to measure leaves
Tuesday - Strathroy Sewage Lagoons, storm ponds around London to show "wetland habitat" in cities (including the Fanshawe Stormwater Management Pond), measure water characteristics
AM – Strathroy Sewage Lagoons
PM – Stormwater ponds on Sunningdale (Medway North, Uplands North, Fanshawe), measure water characteristics throughout
Wednesday - City parks, also neighbourhood walks to compare behaviour of squirrels and other wildlife, record noise, and sounds
AM – Victoria Park to measure squirrel behaviour, walk through downtown
PM – Greenway Park to see water treatment, Springbank Park to compare squirrel behaviour against
Victoria Park
Evening - nocturnal insects
Thursday - Westminster Ponds and Medway Creek Heritage Forest to highlight Environmentally Sensitive Areas, also point out the abandoned barracks at Ponds to show succession, can also measure trees
AM – Westminster Ponds, parking near the barracks. Will inspect the barracks, walk towards the boardwalks, get students to think about how the space is used
PM – park near Heritage Forest and walk through that space, measure trees and noise.
Friday - Mud Creek restoration project, Kilally Meadows and tennis courts to show succession, measure trees and do identification
AM – Mud Creek, visit the area north of Oxford to point out the lands that will be converted to apartments
PM – Kilally Meadows to do plant identification at abandoned tennis courts, then visit the bike path area
Saturday - Another view of campus, students will give 5-minute presentations on their proposed projects
AM – a chance to explore the spaces on campus and talk about project ideas
PM – presentations by students in NCB 331
Sunday - Students start their data collection on their own project. For the next 6 days (Sunday to Friday), the instructor and TA will drive students to field sites to collect their data
Schedules are subject to change
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 field course experience.