Oregon Coast Biology Degree Program

Oregon Universities Partner to Offer Immersive coastal Marine Biology Program

Published: April 4, 2025

By Archyde News Staff

A Coastal Education Revolution

In a move poised to reshape marine biology education, the University of Oregon (UO) and Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) have forged a partnership that will allow aspiring marine biologists to pursue their entire undergraduate studies immersed in the unique coastal environment of Oregon. This innovative program provides a seamless pathway for students to begin their academic journey at SWOCC, earning an associate degree in marine biology, before seamlessly transitioning to UO’s Oregon Institute of marine Biology (OIMB) to complete their bachelor’s degree.

This partnership represents a meaningful shift from the traditional UO marine biology program, wich typically requires students to spend only a portion of their studies at the UO Charleston campus, home to the OIMB, before relocating to the main campus in Eugene. The new agreement, discussed at the March 3 Board of Trustees meeting, allows the Charleston campus to evolve from an other instructional site to an additional location, signifying its enhanced role as a central hub for marine biology education. accompanying this change, the campus is slated to be rebranded as the UO Coastal Campus, further solidifying its identity as a premier destination for coastal studies.

For U.S. students, this means access to a more affordable and geographically coherent educational experience unlike the more disruptive traditional path. Think of it as similar to other specialized programs across the country offering unique learning environments, such as environmental science programs located adjacent to national parks.

Accessibility and affordability on the Oregon Coast

Located just 6.5 miles from the OIMB in Coos Bay, Oregon, SWOCC serves as a crucial gateway for students from the surrounding rural counties of Coos, Curry, and Douglas. Doug Goodwin, instructional dean of transfer at SWOCC, emphasized the importance of this partnership in providing opportunities for local students: (The) community college, which is more affordable, more accessible for people in rural communities such as the corner of the state of Oregon where we are, gives them the possibility to do their associate’s degree.Finishing (this program) successfully would transition directly to the currently called Institute of Marine Biology at the University of Oregon.

This increased accessibility addresses a real need in rural communities. Consider the challenges faced by aspiring marine biologists in states like Alaska, where remote locations ofen create barriers to higher education. This Oregon initiative aims to reduce those barriers by offering a local, affordable starting point.

The proposal summary from the March 3 Board of Trustees meeting highlights that the partnership allows the Charleston campus to be changed from an other instructional site to an additional location, as the program now meets the 50% credit threshold as outlined by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

The UO Coastal Campus: A Hub for Marine Research and Education

The UO Coastal Campus itself is a significant asset, boasting an 11-acre property housing 25 buildings, including classrooms, research labs, housing, dining facilities, and an auditorium. The campus is also home to UO’s aquarium and the Charleston Marine Life Center, providing students with unparalleled access to marine life and research opportunities. This mirrors the approach taken by institutions like the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, which integrates research and education to create a dynamic learning environment.

Maya Watts, the education program coordinator for OIMB, believes that this new pathway will streamline the educational experience for students interested in coastal studies: This pathway for students will make a seamless transition for students interested in completing their entire degree on the coast, and eliminates the need to move to Eugene. Watts also anticipates that the program will experience growth, particularly among students seeking an alternative to the traditional college experience and out-of-state students looking for a more affordable option.

Watts further stated, (SWOCC) has a much greater pipeline to OIMB and UO for students from out-of-state, in particular, or more local students to take this route.

Addressing Potential Concerns and Future Growth

While UO anticipates relatively low initial enrollment numbers, Doug Goodwin remains optimistic about the Coastal Campus’s long-term prospects, especially among students from coastal communities: Imagine high school students growing up on the Oregon Coast, or the Washington State coastline or even Northern California, and they don’t have a marine biology associate’s degree available to them…I expect a lot of graduating high school seniors (will come) knowing that (they) can study the habitats of the place they grew up in.

One potential concern is the accreditation process. For students to complete their bachelor’s degree entirely at the Coastal Campus, it needs to be designated as a degree-granting institution, similar to UO’s Portland campus. The university is currently working to update the Memorandum of Understanding between SWOCC and UO, addressing course equivalencies and financial aid logistics to ensure a smooth transition for students.

The partnership, as approved by the UO College of Arts and Sciences dean and the provost, is slated to begin in the fall, but UO is prepared to delay until fall 2026 if accreditation approvals aren’t secured in time. The university projects no additional operational costs upon the program’s launch.

The program’s success hinges on factors like effective marketing and outreach to prospective students, as well as ensuring sufficient resources and support services are available at the Coastal Campus. Furthermore, continued collaboration between UO and SWOCC will be essential to address any challenges that may arise and to refine the program over time. This collaborative spirit mirrors the successful partnerships between universities and community colleges seen in other states, such as the articulation agreements in California’s community college system.

This initiative is more than just a partnership; it’s an investment in the future of marine biology education and the coastal communities it serves. By providing accessible, affordable, and immersive learning opportunities, the University of Oregon and Southwestern Oregon community College are empowering the next generation of marine scientists to tackle the challenges facing our oceans.

Program Highlights

feature	Details	U.S. Relevance
Location	Oregon Coast; UO Coastal Campus & SWOCC	Mirrors programs near national parks e.g., for environmental science.
Accessibility	Reduces barriers for rural & out-of-state students.	Addresses educational gaps in states like Alaska with remote areas.
Cost	More affordable pathway via community college.	Offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional 4-year universities, critically important given rising tuition costs nationwide.
Resources	Access to research labs, aquarium, Marine Life center.	Similar to other institutions integrating research and education like Woods Hole.
Accreditation	Working towards degree-granting status for coastal Campus.	Ensures program meets quality standards and credits are transferable.

Contact: [e-mail]

How will the program’s immersion in the coastal surroundings better prepare students to address the challenges facing our oceans?

Archyde Talks: Pioneering Coastal Marine biology Education with Maya Watts

Archyde News Editor: Welcome to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a groundbreaking initiative in marine biology education. We’re joined by Maya Watts, the Education Program Coordinator for the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB). Maya, thank you for being here.

Maya Watts: Thank you for having me. it’s a pleasure to be here.

The Essence of the New Program

archyde news Editor: The partnership between the University of Oregon (UO) and Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) to create an immersive coastal marine biology program is quite innovative. Could you explain the core concept and what makes it different from the traditional UO program?

Maya Watts: Certainly.This program creates a seamless pathway for students to complete their entire undergraduate studies immersed in the coastal environment. Students will start at SWOCC earning their associate’s degree and then seamlessly transition to our UO Coastal Campus to finish their bachelor’s. This eliminates the need for students to relocate to the main campus in Eugene during their studies, offering a more cohesive and focused experience, and offering a unique experience for students.

Accessibility and the Coastal Campus

Archyde News Editor: Access and affordability seem to be key aspects of this program, particularly for students in rural communities. Can you elaborate on how the UO Coastal Campus, formerly the OIMB, and its facilities play a role in achieving these goals?

Maya Watts: The UO Coastal Campus, with its extensive facilities including research labs, the aquarium, and the Charleston marine Life Centre, creates a dynamic learning environment. The more affordable option of starting at SWOCC allows for a more accessible path for students, especially for those from the surrounding counties. This supports the program’s aims to remove barriers and ensure students are able to make the most of their access to higher education.

Addressing Potential Concerns

Archyde News Editor: The article mentions that the accreditation process is underway. What are the main steps involved, and what assurances can you give current and prospective students regarding accreditation?

Maya Watts: Accreditation is indeed a priority. We’re working to update the Memorandum of Understanding between SWOCC and UO to ensure course equivalencies and smooth transition for students to ensure all credits transfer as they progress thru their education. We anticipate that if all the accreditation approvals aren’t secured in time, we are more than able to delay the launch until fall of 2026. We remain committed to meeting all the requirements as an association.

Future Aspirations and Growth

Archyde News Editor: Looking ahead, what’s your vision for the program’s growth and impact on the field of marine biology? Do you foresee this model influencing other universities?

Maya Watts: We anticipate the program will attract a growing number of students, particularly those seeking an alternative approach to traditional college. It offers a great opportunity for out-of-state students for a more affordable option, as well. The research opportunities and practical field experience offered on the oregon coast will provide students a huge advantage in their careers. certainly, we hope that our partnership with SWOCC will be beneficial in attracting other institutions.

A Deeper dive

Archyde News Editor: Considering the increasing importance of ocean conservation, how do you think an immersive coastal experience, like that offered by The UO Coastal Campus, better prepares students to address the challenges facing our oceans?

Maya Watts: The immersion in the coastal environment provides students with a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems.By experiencing these ecosystems firsthand, coupled with an increased amount of research and practical experience, students gain the knowledge and perspective to tackle the complex challenges of ocean conservation more effectively.This level of immersion generates a lasting impact on their academic journeys.

Archyde News Editor: That is an excellent picture of how it will prepare students for the future! Thank you so much for your insights, Maya. this innovative program certainly warrants a discussion. Where do you see this program in 5 years?

Maya Watts: Thank you for having me. We are thrilled to play a role.

Archyde News Editor: Thank you for your time.