Courses (2024)

Between Pacific Tides: Invertebrate Zoology in Monterey Bay (OCEANS 161/261)

Invertebrates range in size from microscopic mites to giant squid and are integral to ecosystems and their functioning. More than 97% of all described animal species lack a spine, and this course is an introductory survey of invertebrate diversity with an emphasis on intertidal habitats of Monterey Bay. Students will explore the form, function, evolution, and natural history of the major invertebrate groups through reading, observation, and scientific illustration. This course takes place at Hopkins Marine Station, and consists of a one hour morning lecture and a three hour afternoon lab; both are mandatory. Students must attend the first meeting in person to guarantee their space in the course. Two field trips will be taken to local intertidal habitats. Formerly BIOHOPK161/261.

Term: Winter
F: 11:00-11:50; 1:30-4:20
Units: 4
UG reqs: WAY-SMA


Topics in Scientific and Statistical Computing (OCEANS 200)

In this course we will build community, foster discussion, and develop a deeper understanding of a single topic relevant to scientific or statistical programming using R. The specific format will be chosen by participants in the course; students are empowered to take the lead in the discussion of weekly readings. Prerequisites: an introductory course in statistics and some familiarity with the R programming language. Formerly BIOHOPK 200.

Course website

Term: Winter
Th: 1:30-2:50
Units: 1


Environmental Change and Marine Biodiversity (OCEANS 125/225)

In this course we will study marine biodiversity and the impacts of environmental change on ocean life and marine ecosystems. Students will first study fundamental aspects of physiology, ecology, and evolution in marine animals and plants. Then, students will apply these principles to understand the consequences of environmental change on the functioning of organisms and ecosystems. Through field activities in the living laboratory of the Monterey coast, students will be immersed in the richness and complexity of marine food webs. Students will develop an integrative view of the past and future of ocean ecosystems, forming an evidence-based understanding of the consequences of recent anthropogenic influences on ocean biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. This course takes place at Hopkins Marine Station.

Term: Spring
M: 9:30-12:20; 1:30-2:20
Units: 4
Co-taught with Jeremy Goldbogen


Experimental Design and Probability (OCEANS 174/274)

Nature is inherently variable. Statistics gives us the tools to quantify the uncertainty of our measurements and draw conclusions from data. This course is an introduction to experimental design, probability, and data analysis. Topics include summary statistics, data visualization, probability distributions, statistical inference, and general linear models (e.g., t-tests, analysis of variance, regression). Students will use R to explore and analyze datasets relevant to the life and ocean sciences. No programming or statistical background is assumed. This course takes place at Hopkins Marine Station, and consists of two morning lectures, and an afternoon computer lab. Formerly BIOHOPK174/274.

Term: Spring
W: 10:30-12:20; 1:30-3:20
Units: 4
UG reqs: WAY-AQR, WAY-FR


Kelp Forest Ecology (OCEANS 185/285)

This is an experiential field course on the ecology of giant kelp forests. Through daily scuba dives, lectures, and labs, students become acquainted with the common invertebrates, fishes, and seaweeds and how their interactions shape the community. The course has three major components: scientific dive training, natural history, and ecology. The first portion of the course is designed to familiarize divers with scientific diving techniques, and to qualify participants to dive under the auspices of Stanford and other AAUS institutions. Students must successfully complete prerequisites, theoretical aspects, practical training, and examinations for a minimum cumulative time of 100 hours and a minimum of 12 open water dives. Topics include dive emergency care training, diver rescue, scientific diving methods and data gathering techniques, navigation, low visibility diving, search and recovery, and diving physics and physiology. The second portion of the course concentrates on how to recognize the common species, how to identify them if you don’t know who they are, and to learn where they can be found. Third, once students are familiar with the basic biology of kelp forest inhabitants, we use that as a springboard to discuss population and community processes that affect both obvious and more subtle differences in patterns of distribution and abundance that can be seen in different kelp forests around the Monterey peninsula. We will practice commonly used methods for conducting quantitative surveys of abundance and population structure for a variety of species. The data we collect during the course contribute to on-going time series for the Hopkins Marine Life Observatory, some of which have been going on for nearly three decades. This course will be held in person at Hopkins Marine Station from 15 July to 16 August, 2024. Prerequisite(s): Basic or open water scuba certification, pass scuba physical, pass swim test and scuba skills test.

Term: Summer
Units: 3
UG reqs: WAY-SMA
Co-taught with Clint Collins

This is a 5-week course (15 July - 16 August, 2024). We will meet 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday. You are also expected to work on assignments outside of class. In other words, this course is a full-time commitment. What is it like to be a student in this class? You can learn about the course from a Stanford report and from previous students here: https://purl.stanford.edu/km092my4610

This course is open to non-Stanford students as well as post-bac students (i.e., if you have already graduated). You will apply and register through Stanford Summer Session. Students will provide, at minimum, their wetsuit, gloves, booties, hood, mask, snorkel, weight belt, and fins. Please reach out loaner BCD and regulator).

PRIORITY deadline: March 15 (you will be notified of admission by April 1)

FINAL deadline: April 15 (you will be notified of admission by May 1)

When active, the application is here

Students surveying a historical transect at Hopkins Marine Station
Students surveying a historical transect at Hopkins Marine Station