Semester at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute

Semester at WHOI (SAW) is an undergraduate residential “study-away” opportunity at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA, on Cape Cod. The program features a for-credit, semester-long research experience directly advised by a WHOI scientist or engineer as well as the opportunity to take graduate-level courses modified for undergraduate credit. The combination of research project and coursework constitute a full semester of credit that is transferable to the student's home institution. SAW is particularly well suited for students who are considering an advanced degree in ocean science or engineering and related fields in the earth sciences.

Research

The cornerstone of the SAW program is a semester-long, for-credit, independent research project conducted under the guidance of a WHOI scientist or engineer. All WHOI researchers who are prospective SAW advisors have prior experience hosting REU students in their laboratories and understand the needs of a student working to define and complete a project in a specific period of time.

» SAW research projects
» WHOI Areas of Research
» Departments, Centers, and Labs

Coursework

SAW students have the opportunity to take one or two ocean science courses designed specifically for the program and can also choose from a small number of graduate courses that are modified so they can be offered for undergraduate credit.

» Course Offerings
» MIT-WHOI Joint Program

Important Dates

**SAW suspended for Fall 2020 due to COVID-19, but this is typical schedule**
2020
April 30: Application deadline
September 8: Registration and orientation
September 9: First day of classes
October 12: Columbus Day, no classes
November 11: Veterans Day, no classes
November 26-27: Thanksgiving break
December 10: Last day of classes
December 14-18: Final exams