Spring Semester Experience at the Coast
The seminar course, ICS 2500 , takes students on a variety of field trips to learn about natural and cultural features of the Outer Banks.
The Semester Experience at the Coast is a structured residential program located on ECU’s Outer Banks Campus for undergraduate students with an interest in coastal studies. Open to all majors, this Spring Semester-long program provides students interested in coastal resources, science, and management to immerse themselves in an environment where courses are hands-on with field and lab-based experiences.
Students have many opportunities to conduct research and fieldwork while studying at the coast.
Program benefits include:
- Smaller classes (approx. 20 students) and strong faculty and student interaction
- Classroom learning connected with active learning opportunities at the coast with real-world applications
- A remarkable coastal setting surrounded by diverse freshwater, estuarine, and marine ecosystems
- Cutting-edge coastal research labs
- Credits count toward COAS minor
- No additional fees! Tuition, housing, and Student Health Insurance Plan costs are the same as for students on ECU’s main campus in Greenville
Program aspects:
- Open to all majors
- Interdisciplinary faculty & curriculum
- Faculty-guided undergraduate research projects
- Apply skills to real-world coastal issues
Join us for our Open House on April 20th
Semester Experience at the Coast Courses
The courses offered in the Semester Experience at the Coast span a variety of disciplines across the natural, social, and engineering sciences. Students can take a full load of classes at the ECU Outer Banks Campus or supplement their Semester Experience courses with distance education classes taught from ECU’s main campus in Greenville or through the UNC Online system. Also, note that ANTH 2005, BIOL 1010, GEOL 1550, and GEOL 1400 will provide General Education credit.Â
Course Offerings
Internships & Independent Research
A Semester Experience at the Coast (S@tC) internship gives you hands-on experience in your chosen field, enabling you to learn more about a specific profession, discover its pros and cons, and understand the workings of a particular organization. It also offers networking opportunities with professionals in your field of interest. Furthermore, internships can provide valuable work experience, making you a more attractive candidate for work after college. You can also include your internship on your resume and earn academic credit.
Department of Coastal Studies faculty have expertise in several fields of study and can provide multiple research opportunities for ECU students. Students can engage in faculty-guided research projects or gain experience through one of our internships placed with a variety of community partners, including the NC Aquarium, the National Park Service, and The Nature Conservancy, among others.
Click here for more information on S@tC internships.
Semester Experience at the Coast Faculty
Visit our Semester Experience Faculty Page to learn more!
Housing
Students live near the historic downtown Manteo area about 3 miles from campus and near sound and ocean beaches. Housing costs are comparable to those on ECU’s main campus. Our residence hall features suite-style rooms, a large community kitchen, laundry facilities, a large backyard for leisure activities, and more!
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students participating in the Semester Experience at the Coast and can be found on ECUAWard. Check back after the start of the Fall 2024 semester for Spring 2025 scholarship information.
Additional Information
For more information on the Semester Experience at the Coast, please contact Julie Kirn (kirnj23@ecu.edu; 252-475-5458).