Undergrad field courses

 f you're considering a career in ecology, environmental science, biology, natural resources, or a related field, a Mountain Research Station course can provide one of the most valuable experiences of your undergraduate education. Instead of learning science solely from textbooks and lectures, you'll collect data, conduct research, and explore Colorado's mountain ecosystems alongside expert instructors and motivated students from universities across the country. Small class sizes and a supportive field-station community provide individualized guidance while helping you develop practical skills that employers, graduate programs, and research mentors value.

But an MRS course is more than just a chance to strengthen your résumé. Imagine spending several weeks living and learning in the Colorado Rockies, surrounded by alpine tundra, subalpine forests, wetlands, and streams that become your classroom and laboratory. A typical day might begin with breakfast on the dining hall deck as the morning sun lights up the mountain sky. After a short lecture, you'll head into the field with your classmates to investigate ecological questions, test hypotheses, and learn directly from the landscape. Back at the station, you'll share dinner, attend an optional evening seminar by a visiting scientist, and end the day by discussing discoveries and new ideas with classmates and mentors. 

At an MRS field course, you'll gain scientific skills, professional connections, unforgettable experiences, and a clearer understanding of what a career in environmental science can look like.