SlugAtlasUC Santa Cruz

BIOE 20FField Biology in Practice

2 creditsGE PR-EUndergraduateStudent Option

Field-based, experiential course that explores local ecosystems, helps students develop nature observation skills and lead collaborative research, from formulating and testing hypotheses to sampling, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. The course builds peer and mentor networks and introduces a range of topics in ecology, conservation, and natural resource management. Some offerings include required weekend and/or overnight field trips. There are no course fees, and camping equipment is available if needed. Enrollment is by instructor permission.

  • Enrollment by application at this site: https://bioe20f.sites.ucsc.edu/ Proposed EEB-sponsored majors are encouraged to enroll in BIOE 20F; all other majors are encouraged to enroll in BIOE 82.

Find a section and add it to your scheduleLive seat counts, time-conflict checks and the walk from your previous class.

When it runs

Winter 2027Open Winter 2027

SectionTypeWhenWhereInstructorSeats
01Field StudiesAsynchronousStaffClosed 0/0
02Field StudiesAsynchronousStaffClosed 0/0
03Field StudiesAsynchronousStaffClosed 0/0

Fall 2026Open Fall 2026

SectionTypeWhenWhereInstructorSeats
01Field Studies
Mon 9:00am–1:00pm
Thimann Lab 239A. BorkerClosed 6/0
02Field Studies
Thu 9:00am–1:00pm
Thimann Lab 239A. BorkerClosed 7/0
03Field Studies
Thu 1:30pm–3:00pm
Thimann Lab 239A. BorkerClosed 10/0

Spring 2026Open Spring 2026

SectionTypeWhenWhereInstructorSeats
01Field Studies
Tue 9:00am–1:00pm
Thimann Lab 239I. T. FloresClosed 22/22
02Field Studies
Wed 9:00am–1:00pm
Thimann Lab 239I. T. FloresClosed 22/22
03Field Studies
Thu 8:25am–12:25pm
CoastBio 115R. MeyerOpen 20/22

Winter 2026Open Winter 2026

SectionTypeWhenWhereInstructorSeats
01Field Studies
Thu 9:00am–1:00pm
Nat Sci 2 233A. BorkerClosed 20/0
02Field Studies
Wed 9:00am–1:00pm
Thimann Lab 239A. BorkerClosed 17/0
03Field Studies
Wed 1:30pm–3:05pm
Thimann Lab 239A. BorkerClosed 20/0

Fall 2025Open Fall 2025

SectionTypeWhenWhereInstructorSeats
01Field Studies
Thu 9:00am–1:00pm
Thimann Lab 239A. Borker, N. A. Hinojosa, C. A. GirvinClosed 20/0
02Field Studies
Wed 2:40pm–4:15pm
Thimann Lab 239A. Borker, C. A. GirvinClosed 20/0
03Field Studies
Thu 1:30pm–3:05pm
Thimann Lab 239A. Borker, N. A. HinojosaClosed 21/0

Who teaches it

InstructorRatingDifficultyWould take againReviews
Abe Borker4.8 / 51.3 / 594%16
Carolina Flores2.2 / 52.0 / 59%22
Rachel Meyer4.1 / 52.4 / 567%9

From RateMyProfessors, which is student-submitted and not a survey. Small review counts move a long way on one bad quarter.

SlugAtlas is a student project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by UC Santa Cruz. Course data is a snapshot of the public class search; myUCSC is authoritative for enrolment.