Semester in Environmental Science (SES)

Winogradsky Columns made by students in the MBL's Semester in Environmental Science course.

Winogradsky Columns made by students in the MBL's SES course. Credit Joe Vallino

The MBL’s Semester in Environmental Science (SES) is a 15-week program that provides intensive field and laboratory-based learning opportunities to better understand ecosystem science and the biogeochemistry of coastal forests, freshwater ponds, and estuaries.

Course/Program Dates:

Aug 31, 2025 - Dec 16, 2025

Application due date:

Mar 31, 2025

Applications for 2025 are now open - click here to apply

Students will be admitted on a rolling basis. The next round of applications will be reviewed on January 17, 2025. We encourage prospective students to apply prior to this date to secure a spot.

Click Here for Requirements for the Application To learn more about the program, inquire here

JOIN US for your fall semester in an intensive field and laboratory-based program on ecosystem science and global change at the Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

MEET OUR FACULTY who teach about fundamentals of ecosystems science and discuss their current research on important issues of global and environmental change.

LEARN ABOUT SES COURSES in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem analysis, microbial methods, mathematical modeling, science journalism, and independent study where you develop research questions of your own and report your findings at a final symposium open to the Woods Hole scientific community, a world center for marine and environmental sciences.

BUILD A NETWORK with fellow students and more than 400 SES alums from over 50 colleges and universities. 70% of SES alums go on to graduate school and many continue to pursue environmental careers in academics, industry, and government or non-profit organizations.

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Faculty Testimonials Highlight Uniqueness of SES Program

SES Faculty Testimonials

In these video testimonials, the SES Faculty talk about their science, the MBL, and what makes SES such a unique program.

Check Out the Videos Here

Celebrating 25 Years of the Semester in Environmental Science

SES Symposium with speaker and audience shown

Seventy-five people gathered at the Marine Biological Laboratory this month to celebrate 25 years of the Semester in Environmental Science (SES) and to introduce the new Semester in Biological Discovery.