Winter in The Bahamas

Details and Cost

About the Program

Stony Brook University offers students the opportunity to study in The Bahamas. Students will travel to the Bimini Biological Field Station (Bimini Shark Lab) where they will gain field and laboratory experience related to the conservation of elasmobranch fishes (sharks, skates, and rays). The class will travel the length of the island to learn more about the Bahamian culture and explore some of the island’s famous landmarks. While in The Bahamas, students will be exposed to emerging issues facing tropical and sub-tropical marine ecosystems through working with local researchers, reading scientific papers, and partaking in daily field excursions. They will give a scientific presentation on any topic related to these issues before writing a follow-up paper upon returning to the US.

Location	Bimini, Bahamas
Program Type	Faculty-Led Program, Internship/Experiential Learning
Program Term	Winter
Program Dates	January 8 - 15, 2026
Language of Instruction	English
Budget	View Budget
Living Arrangements	Dormitory style
Additional Information	Faculty-Led study abroad programs may require group travel. Please reach out to your IAP Coordinator prior to making any travel arrangements.

Program Housing Statement: Stony Brook University is required to comply with the housing policies of the host country, partner institution and/or hotel/hostel. These policies may include requirements such as sex-based housing placement.

Requirements

GPA	3.0
Application Deadline	October 1

Candidates may be interviewed to determine their qualifications for participating and representing Stony Brook University abroad.

Student Feedback

"Truly, the skills and knowledge instilled in me will allow me to become a better scientist in the conservation field.”

“It was my first time truly living away from home, and I learned so much about independence, meeting new people, and growing as a person. I truly believe this path will help shape me into a better me”

"This experience has added some sort of meaning to my life that I was desperately looking for."

Academic Information
Course Information

*3 graduate credits required

All participants will take a total of 3 credits (1 course)

Course: MAR 532 Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are parts of the ocean that are zoned to exclude activities that are potentially detrimental to the ecosystem. Marine reserves are special types of MPAs in which the harvesting of marine wildlife is prohibited. MPAs are rapidly gaining traction worldwide as a tool to preserve or restore ecosystems, protected endangered species, or sustain nearby commercial and recreational fisheries. This course is designed to provide students with a robust background in science behind the design, implementation, and expected outcomes of establishing MPAs.

Academic Policies
- Credits earned on this program will calculate toward a student's GPA at Stony Brook University. Non-SBU students are advised to check their home university policy on grade and credit transfer.
- Students following the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) may request for GLO and EXP+ in addition to requirements fulfilled by their coursework.