I don't know of any better student experience to get acquainted with the world of research & marine science than PEF. Textbooks can teach you a lot, but there's no substitute for first-hand experience. The apprenticeship presents the incredible opportunity to develop your own independent research project and to work one-on-one with seasoned professors to develop your work and skills, all the while in an supportive and engaging community. The quarter I spent as a student in PEF was the most fun and rewarding learning experience in my college career -- I can't recommend it highly enough!
Natasha Christman, Pelagic Ecosystem Function 2015
Enrolling in the PEF course was hands-down the best academic decision I've ever made. Jan, Matt, and Breck have amazing passion for their fields and for mentoring students in research. The apprenticeship was an amazing opportunity to develop field skills in oceanography and field ecology. Not to mention that working in the San Juans was simply incredible; where else can you be surprised by a pod of orcas while collecting fish samples! In executing my research project on the diet and trophic position of Pacific sand lance, I learned to overcome problems and to develop new experimental techniques. I even had the chance to present my research project at the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference. Overall, it was a truly unforgettable experience, and I am a better researcher because of it. PEF inspired me to pursue a masters in ichthyology and gave me the experience to do so. I would strongly recommend the course to anyone who is interested in oceanography or marine ecology, is looking for more research experience, or is in need of a little inspiration.
Katie Cieri, Pelagic Ecosystem Function 2015
Having spent the last 3 years in the classroom learning about global oceanographic processes, PEF was such a pleasant way to end my undergraduate career. Finally learning about the functions that influence my home - the Salish Sea - and applying the skills I've gained to research aspects of it that interested me gave me a great sense of satiation and pride. However, with that said, I believe the best thing about PEF was the community it provided. For those at UW, who are used to class sizes of 500+, it's surreal to say the least when your professor goes out of their way to set up a meeting with you. The dedication of these instructors is a spectacle to witness. And on top of that, you have the same 7-10 classmates all quarter who - whether you like it or not - slowly become another family as you spend every day with one another, freezing on the bow of the R/V Centenntial looking for birds, staying up way too late running samples, or ranting about how stressed you are by the failure of one of your project's procedures. In my opinion, the community PEF provides is just as important as the independent research itself. This is because the field of marine science is a small one and the reality of it is that you're bound to work closely with the same people multiple times, in one way or another, throughout your career. It is for that reason that PEF prepares you for your future in more ways than just research experience. My advice for anyone considering PEF is to absolutely do it. Even if there's a slight possibility of configuring it into your schedule, make it happen. FHL is a community to experience, San Juan Island is a paradise to behold, and there is so much for you to gain.
Alyssa Scott, Pelagic Ecosystem Function 2017
The PEF apprenticeship allowed me to apply oceanographic techniques learned in the classroom to the complex waters around Friday Harbor. This hands-on application of field practices allowed me to gain invaluable skills that I utilize now in my career. I would highly recommend the PEF Apprenticeship to anyone seeking a future in the environmental sciences, the in depth knowledge, field experience, and unforgettable memories one will gain from this apprenticeship make for a opportunity too good to pass on!
Ian Smith, Pelagic Ecosystem Function 2016
As someone who has always wanted to pursue a career in marine science but ended up at a university with a general biology program, PEF was the perfect post-undergraduate opportunity for me to gain real, hands-on experience in this field. The program helped guide my process of envisioning what type of career I want, and the setting couldn't be better to learn about the dynamic processes of the Salish Sea.
Nathan Guilford, Pelagic Ecosystem Function 2015
As a post baccalaureate student transitioning into the sciences, PEF was my stepping stone, prerequisite research experience in preparation for graduate school. Not only did I come away with field experience, data management, and improved communication skills, but my mentors assisted me in preparing my CV, admissions essays, a public presentation, and my first poster. (It worked--I was accepted into my first choice graduate program!) Aside from practical skills, lessons, and tools, my mentors imparted wisdom and values that I will apply throughout graduate school, my future career, and in my day to day life as a human being.
Soren Huber, Pelagic Ecosystem Function 2016
The PEF program was a wonderful opportunity to practice and explore research done in the pelagic ecosystem. The ability to learn about different aspects of pelagic research, be it plankton, fish, birds, or oceanography, really tied the whole semester together. While learning about the broad scale was great, the best part of the program was being matched with a mentor and delving into one aspect of the ecosystem for your own project. The three instructors were all enthusiastic and having them in the field or on the ship with you was a highlight. Overall, the hands-on research experience and mentorship offered in the PEF program is what makes this such an excellent program.
Laura Vehring, Pelagic Ecosystem Function 2016
PEF is a great opportunity to experience what it will be like conducting research and preparing people for graduate school. The apprenticeship challenged me and gave me confidence in my research capabilities. It also validated my passion to study marine systems in a fun, rigorous setting.
Julianne Dirks, Pelagic Ecosystem Function 2015
My time at FHL expanded my understanding of research and love of natural history. The culmination of my independent research project from sampling in the field to data collection in the lab and finally analysis gave me the confidence moving forward to continue my aspirations of entering the field of ecological research. Easily the best experience of my undergraduate career.
Tom Pham, Pelagic Ecosystems Function 2013
I have such fond memories of my time at FHL. In fact, that's where I decided a wanted to become an oceanographer! It was my first real opportunity to do field research and work on a small ship. By the end of the quarter when we all stood up and presented our findings, I realized how amazing it was that a small group of students could piece together an understanding of such a complicated ecosystem. Plus, it was just so awesome living and working around students and getting to do cool science every day. You just can't beat that!!! The community at FHL was one I'd never experienced before and all of the scientists and students living there always seemed so eager to share their stories. So that quarter I decided to be a field scientist and haven't looked back! I think about you a lot and am so grateful for my time working with you and Breck! It was an experience I hold very dear to my heart!
Alexis Pasulka, Pelagic Ecosystems Function 2006
The PEF course really set me up for a career in marine research. I learned field and lab techniques that I still use (CTD operation, oxygen analysis, spectrophotometry). The opportunity to work with my peers and to present my independent research to the scientific and local community was incredibly valuable for my future work. My professors were foremost in their fields, and the curriculum of PEF allowed me to work closely with all of them and build lasting connections. I am currently in a PhD program at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, and was awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship last year.
Writing about PEF reminds me how instrumental it was in shaping my career in research. I'm very grateful for that.
Megsie Siple, Pelagic Ecosystems Function 2006
Once I found out that one potential project in the apprenticeship involved marine birds, I became very interested and decided to go for it. I was especially excited to learn how to do seabird surveys and learn how to identify many marine birds. One of the best parts of the class was that the teachers were willing to give one-on-one training and guidance. This was especially helpful when trying to make my PowerPoint presentation or write my research paper. Every week we would go out in a research vessel to collect data for our projects. We would collect CTD data, conduct plankton tows, and do seabird surveys. Everyone could get involved in all of these things since these tasks required multiple hands or eyes. Other days were spent entering and analyzing data and working on a presentation and written paper. We also got to go on some awesome field trips around the island and on the Thompson, the big UW Oceanography research vessel. For a marine biologist, FHL is the perfect location to study. I was surrounded by people with similar interests and experts in different marine research areas. They also have coffee available all day in the cafeteria, which was much appreciated when deadlines were coming up. Apart from being a dream study location, the whole place is incredibly beautiful. There are also trails that are great for hiking and most importantly finding birds.
Jasmine Palmer, Pelagic Ecosystems Function 2010
The Pelagic Ecosystems Function (PEF) was the first marine course I had ever taken, even though I had already received my BS in Biophysics. The only knowledge I had coming in the class was what I had learned from David Attenborough on the Discovery channel. One of the crowning aspects of the PEF is that even if you have no prior experience you can make a meaningful contribution and learn a great deal. PEF worked much differently than any other class I had ever taken. There was very little lecture work other than an introduction to the materials and our classmates, there after our research associates. During the quarter we worked together to collect field data and come up with interested topics for our individual projects. Even though we had to present our own work, everything was collaborative. From start to finish I learned everything there is to a complete research project. I learned to organize my ideas and present them to the intellectual community. I learned to work with others, to gain better appreciation of how real research works. The PEF was a life changing class sending me in a new direction towards a future in the research and academic community.
Ryan J. McLaughlin, Pelagic Ecosystems Function 2009
The PEF course was one of the most scientifically rigorous courses in which I had the opportunity to participate. I was pleasantly challenged and the course as a whole functioned as a gateway from student to independent thinker. I can’t recommend it enough for student’s contemplating a career in the marine science realm. Since completing the course, I’ve obtained research assistant positions with the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and Georgia Tech. Recently I have moved into a Doctoral student position with the University of Otago in New Zealand. With Otago, I’ll be using physical, biological, and chemical oceanographic techniques…PEF certainly fostered my enthusiasm for such!