The sun rising on the horizon, viewed from a coastal bluff on the edge of the ocean.
Coastal and Marine Sciences

From the Davis Campus to the Coast

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Upcoming Events
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An aerial view of Bodega Marine Laboratory and the Bodega Marine Reserve

Public Tours of Bodega Marine Laboratory
Our free, Friday public tours are led by our wonderful crew of ocean-loving docents, and visitors will learn about ongoing marine and coastal science research at Bodega Marine Laboratory and its history on the Sonoma Coast. Plus, you'll get to meet a variety of colorful and diverse ocean creatures.
A large coral shown underwater with small, brightly colored gobies swimming around it.

Fish ‘Beauty Salons’ Offer Insight into How Microbes Move Within Reefs
Where do you go when you’re a fish and you need a skincare treatment? Coral reefs contain natural “beauty salons,” lively social hubs of activity where fish “clients” swim up and wait to be serviced by smaller fish cleaners.
A collage of images from the event, including fashion show looks, stills from a dance, and a film screening

Art and Ecology Merge on the Coast
At the Bodega Marine Laboratory, science leapt beyond the lab bench in a surprising collaboration—part fashion show, part modern dance, part film screening—where artistic expression met ecological research on the Sonoma Coast.
A line drawing in dark blue that depicts a cluster of anemones surrounding a large sea star.

Science Meets The Sea

California’s coastal regions are a cornerstone of its economy and cultural identity. However, evolving challenges like climate change and resource extraction demand innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions. The UC Davis Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute, with its premier facilities and strategic location, is uniquely equipped to address these issues, forging vital partnerships to ensure the sustainable management of our invaluable coastal and marine resources.

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Major Developments

Our Marine and Coastal Science Major emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of marine sciences and hands-on experiences as interns or researchers.

Learn About The MCS Major
A student researcher leans down to peer into shallow coastal waters

Coastal Connections

Undergraduates can spend a Summer Session or Fall Quarter studying on the coast in exciting, integrated courses taught at the Bodega Marine Laboratory.

Study at BML
A researchers working in the dark on a piece of equipment with a swirl of tubing that glows brightly

Our Spaces, Your Science

Visiting researchers can utilize on-site reserve, laboratory, library and housing resources at the Bodega Marine Laboratory and Reserve.

Resources for Visiting Researchers
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