BML Academic Programs and Student Information

student life at bml

BML students spend an exciting quarter both in field and laboratory studies. The Bodega Marine Reserve includes marine and terrestrial habitats offering student research opportunities in either.


Life at BML is remarkably supportive and dynamic: faculty, researchers, visiting scientists, students, and staff together form this exceptional community.


BML’s academic programs have a strong research focus, and students work with faculty involved in active research programs.

	BML's premier research vessel, the R/V Mussel Point.
Deploying drifters from the R/V Mussel Point.	Breanna Harris and Daniel Sweezey work on a communications exercise.
"My favorite quarter at UC Davis wasn't actually on campus. It was spring quarter 2000 at the Bodega Marine Lab. It was a very worthwhile experience." - Sarah Elizabeth Cole, B.S., UCD, Biological Sciences, 2001.

Students have unmatched experiences at BML.

The lovely Cadet Hand Library, always open to students, is a quiet place to study or gather and enjoy the view.


In addition to the 362 acre Bodega Marine Reserve, students can explore the Sonoma County Regional Parks and the spectacular coast line of Sonoma County State Beaches and Parks.
Sonoma County State Park Redwoods.	Sonoma Coast: Schoolhouse Beach.
Just a little more than an hour away from BML is Point Reyes National Seashore, offering many recreation opportunities in a beautiful 70,000 acre national park.
Tule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore.	Bodega Head as seen from Tomales Point, Point Reyes National Seashore.

The town of Bodega Bay is an easy 3.5 mile bike ride or drive from BML. 14 miles away is Sebastopol, a pleasant western Sonoma County neighborhood, it is the nearest town with movie theaters, shopping and other in-town amenities. The San Francisco Bay area is ~1.5 hours south of Bodega Bay.