Resources at Ohio State
How to connect yourself with the ocean on campus
By now we're sure you have noticed that there is in fact no ocean in Ohio. Upsetting, we know. However, there are actually many ways that a student at Ohio State can explore and learn about marine life. Since these resources can be difficult to find, we thought that it would be beneficial to highlight some of the great opportunities that Ohio State has to offer that is connected with aquatic or marine environments.
Courses
Ohio State offers a handful of different courses that include marine science in their material. Most of these courses can be found within the department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB), though some related courses can be found withing the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) and other departments across campus.
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Some available courses include: Ocean Ecology; Fish Ecology; Water Quality Management; Forestry Fisheries and Wildlife; Oceanography
Studies Abroad
There are SO many opportunities for students to study abroad at Ohio State, no matter what your major is. A good amount of these programs are located in coastal countries and some included courses are related to conservation, ecology, and even marine life. These programs can be run by Ohio State or another approved third party provider, so they can be a great STEP project for rising sophomores! Several of our members have attended a study abroad program or other summer program that has been offered through Ohio State, so feel free to contact us with any questions! Visit the Ohio State Education Abroad Website to explore the different programs they have to offer!
The Stone Lab
The Stone Lab is Ohio State's very own island campus located on Lake Erie. Students can take a variety of biology and ecology classes over the summer to experience them in a much more hands-on fashion than they would on main campus. Although it's not exactly the ocean, this program can help you learn different field research techniques that can be applied to marine settings. Stone Lab offers a variety of courses throughout the summer, and you can take a few or as many as you want. They also have scholarship and work study programs for students so that they can help offset the costs of tuition, room, and board. Contact us if you want to hear more about the experience from the members that have been to Stone Lab, and visit their website for more information!
Undergraduate Research
Though it can be rare, the Ohio State University has offered positions in undergraduate research involving marine systems and organisms. Research positions in aquatic ecology are also frequently available. Typically, students can earn credits for their contributions to research projects as well. If you are considering entering graduate school or a research profession of any kind, we definitely recommend that you look into getting involved with undergraduate research. Check the Research Postings page at the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry website frequently for new positions!