Semester by the Sea
Semester by the Sea is an experiential marine science program located at the Darling Marine Center in Walpole, Maine. Students from throughout the University of Maine System are encouraged to apply, as are all advanced undergraduate or post baccalaureate students with a passion and background in science.
SBS Fall 2026 Courses
- SMS 350 (1): Undergraduate Seminar
- SMS 352 (4): Marine Ecology
- SMS 480 (4): Biology of Marine Invertebrates
- SMS 324 (3): Intro to Research Diving
- SMS 483 (3): Ecology of Zooplankton & Ichthyoplankton
- SMS 484 (4): Estuarine Oceanography
- SMS 491 (4): Problems in Marine Science: Microbial Ecology
- SMS 400 (2): Capstone
- SMS 497 (1) Independent Study
Note that all SBS students are required to enroll in the SBS Seminar. UMaine students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to ensure course selections fulfill their degree requirements. Non-UMaine students should contact Dr. William Ellis, Associate Director of SMS, for additional information.
Costs to Consider. There is a $1000 course fee attached to SMS 350, which covers course expenses for all the SBS courses in which a student participates. Room and board are billed separately and in addition to this required course fee. Note that there is an additional course fee of $850 for SMS 324, Scientific Diving, which covers course materials and certifications.
Semester by the Sea is a Residential Program – all students are required to live on campus in order to participate. 2026-2027 Room and Board rates will be posted soon.
Prerequisites & Participation
Semester By the Sea courses are open to students with sophomore-year standing, or equivalent background, with one year of biology and one year of chemistry. Students admitted to the program must create a course wish list in MaineStreet. When registration for the fall semester opens, Jodie Feero will enroll students. Preference will be given to those students graduating in the 2026-2027 academic year, if we reach our enrollment capacity of 30 students. Semester by the Sea is designed as a residential program and all students are expected to live on campus unless the residential facilities of the Darling Marine Center are unable to support accessibility needs of an individual as determined by working with UMaine Student Accessibility Services and DMC staff.
For SBS academic information contact:
Dr. William Ellis • william.ellis@maine.edu • 207.581.4360
Jodie Feero • jodief@maine.edu • 207.581.4385
For DMC facility and research opportunity information contact:
DMC Director • dmc@maine.edu • 207.563.8144