Semester by the Bay

Semester by the Bay Ready for an Alaskan Adventure? Spend a semester studying Marine Biology (or related field) in beautiful Homer, Alaska at KPC's Kachemak Bay Campus.

www.semesterbythebay.org Each fall, the University of Alaska Anchorage's Kachemak Bay Campus of Kenai Peninsula College located in Homer, Alaska, offers students from around the country the opportunity for an academic hands-on learning experience studying biological sciences with easy access to cold-water marine habitats. A selection of upper division biology courses are offered along with others with an Alaskan theme. The semester has been designed to meet the needs of students majoring in the natural sciences in a creative and adventurous way. The University of Alaska is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution. The University of Alaska does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, parenthood, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, or other legally protected status. The University's commitment to nondiscrimination, including against sex discrimination, applies to students, employees, and applicants for admission and employment. Contact information, applicable laws, and complaint procedures are included on UA's statement of nondiscrimination available at www.alaska.edu/titleIXcompliance/nondiscrimination

09/12/2026

UAA/Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay Campus welcomes Dr. Kate Lomac-McNair to Semester by the Bay.

Kate earned a Ph.D. in Marine Ecology from the University of Algarve (Portugal), where her research focused on Arctic marine mammal distribution and behavior; and an M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University. She brings 20 years of experience in Marine Science and a lot of enthusiasm to our program. Welcome, Kate!!

Sara Wilhelm will defend her Master’s thesis"Comparison of Two Critical Habitat Areas of Endangered Cook Inlet Beluga Wh...
03/27/2026

Sara Wilhelm will defend her Master’s thesis
"Comparison of Two Critical Habitat Areas of Endangered Cook Inlet Beluga Whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Southcentral Alaska"
this Friday, March 27, at 12 pm (Homer, Alaska time). via Zoom
https://alaska.zoom.us/j/9072352020

Wilhelm first came to UAA/Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay Campus in 2020 as part of Dr. Debbie Tobin’s Semester by the Bay (SBB) program. Sara returned to Homer in 2023 and worked as the lab assistant/lab tech for Exploration Ecology field trips, etc. Volunteering with Alaska SeaLife Center marine mammal strandings and Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services necropsies. Wilehlm will be the first KPC-based Biology graduate student. She is working with Dr. Tobin and Dr. Doug Causey (out of the UA Anchorage campus) on eDNA sampling and analysis of critically endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales.

Excellent opportunity for prospective graduate students!University of Chicago STEM PhD Recruitment Webinar will help you...
09/24/2025

Excellent opportunity for prospective graduate students!

University of Chicago STEM PhD Recruitment Webinar will help you craft a narrative that highlights your academic rigor and potential to thrive in graduate school.

Date: Thursday, October 9th | 4:30-6:30 PM (CST)
Location: Zoom - Registration Link
Learn about your host, the Graduate Recruitment Initiative Team (GRIT)
Please reach out to PhD student host, Jocelyn Hsu ([email protected]) with any questions

09/16/2025
SBB Fall 2025 is in the HOUSE!!
08/30/2025

SBB Fall 2025 is in the HOUSE!!

They did it! 🐋 After a full semester of independent research projects, intertidal zone surveys, animal behavior observat...
05/02/2025

They did it! 🐋

After a full semester of independent research projects, intertidal zone surveys, animal behavior observations, and internship studies, the 10 students of Semester by the Bay’s Spring 2025 cohort have graduated with their Occupational Endorsement Certificate in Conservation Ecology. 🦦

Congratulations to everyone, kudos to their hard work, and thank you to all staff, faculty, and coordinating organizations for their assistance and mentorship. Best of luck in all of your future endeavors, students! You’re going to do incredible things for the planet. 🌎

It’s time for another Student Spotlight! 💫Today we’re spotlighting Olivia, who is from High Point, North Carolina and at...
03/20/2025

It’s time for another Student Spotlight! 💫

Today we’re spotlighting Olivia, who is from High Point, North Carolina and attending Appalachian State University where she majors in Ecological, Evolutionary, and Environmental Biology with a minor in Studio Art.

Olivia first heard about SBB from an emailed flyer and she jumped on the opportunity to meet her remaining graduation requirements and pursue her interests in conservation in Alaska.

Olivia shared that her favorite memory of SBB coursework so far was going out on a boat on Kachemak Bay for the first time to do a harbor porpoise monitoring session. Outside of class, she loved going camping during spring break at Skilak Lake. She says, “The views were incredible and those of us that went just had a ton of fun sitting around the bonfire under the almost full moon.”

After graduation, Olivia wants to work in a state or federal park service or a conservation organization. She aims to work in ecology or environmental studies where she can be proud about the work she does.

When asked how SBB is helping her reach her goals, Olivia says, “I have and continue to gain exceptional scientific knowledge and skills in field and lab research that are propelling me to excel in any future career. I have always loved learning new things, so I am ecstatic that I learn something new every day!”

What is Olivia’s favorite animal? The monarch butterfly! She hopes to one day experience their migration.

She gives a shoutout to her Pop for sharing his love of the outdoors with her and pushing Olivia to do anything she sets her mind to. Also a shoutout to the amazing SBB cohort members that became her close friends very quickly!

Keep up the amazing work, Olivia! 💫

Address

553 E. Pioneer Avenue
Homer, AK
99603

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Semester by the Bay posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to Semester by the Bay:

Shortcuts

Share