Undergrad field courses

Join us for immersive, field-based learning in montane and alpine ecosystems.

Welcome to our "classroom in the sky". The Mountain Research Station offers residential undergraduate field courses that immerse students in hands-on research of the montane and alpine ecosystems of the Southern Rockies. Our courses are open to students from any institution.听

Our small class sizes foster close mentoring relationships and collaboration with peers, while direct access to the Columbine Springs Reserve and Niwot Ridge provide students with unparalleled opportunities for field-based learning. Our field courses emphasize experiential learning, scientific skill-building, and community. Academic credit is easily transferable to other institutions, and fulfills requirements for CU鈥檚 Environmental Studies program.

Field courses

All courses are 3 credit hours. Click a course title for more information:

June 5 - June 17, 2026
Scott Taylor

Prereq: 1 yr general biology

June 29 - July 13, 2026
William Anderson

Prereq: 1 yr general biology

July 6 - July 18, 2026
Sam Ahler

Prereq: 1 yr of general biology or env. science

July 14 - July 25, 2026
Suzanne Nelson

Prereq: 1 yr of general biology

July 27听- Aug 13, 2026
Dev Niyogi

Prereq: General ecology or instructor consent

July 27 - Aug 8, 2026
Teresa Chapman

Prereq: 1 yr of general biology or env. science

Dates TBA Jan & Feb, 2027
Instructor TBA

Prereq: 1 yr of general biology or env. science

Registration

Starts March 10th

1. Pay your deposit

Before being able to register for a MRS Field Course, you need to pay a $300 USD non-refundable course deposit:

AFTER you have paid the course deposit (which will be deducted from the total course cost) you will receive a听permission number via email from听MRS Station Manager Mike Haffey that you will use to register for the course.

2. Register

Are you a current CU 麻豆影院 student? Register for your field course in the Buff portal with the permission number you received after paying your course deposit.

Are you a student not at CU 麻豆影院? If you are a non-degree student, 1st time student, or student at other university, you need to take some extra steps:听

  1. Fill out a CU 麻豆影院听.听

  2. Within 2 business days of your application, you will receive a welcome email with your Student ID number.听

  3. Follow the instructions in your welcome email to activate your CU 麻豆影院 IdentiKey password, set up two-factor authentication, and access the Buff portal to register for classes. To register, you will need the permission number you received after paying your course deposit.

Registration tip. When searching for your course in the Buff portal, enter its course number (eg EBIO 4100, ARTS 4444) and set campus to "麻豆影院 Continuing Education".

Key information

Small class size & waitlist

MRS field courses for undergraduates are popular and have small class sizes of no more than 15 students听to maximize student/instructor interaction.听Course deposits for all courses will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. We will close the process when we reach capacity and a waitlist will be activated.听

Lodging & meals included

Your tuition for a summer course includes rustic lodging, in a shared 2-person seasonal basic cabin, and all meals at the MRS dining hall.

Visiting & living at the station

We hope your time at the station is productive and engaging as you participate in your course. Check Staying overnight for key information to help you prepare for your visit, check in efficiently, set up your daily plans, and settle in for your stay

Cancellation & refund

if you cancel at least 14 days before your course starts, 100% of your tuition will be refunded and there will be no mark on your CU 麻豆影院 transcript. But the course deposit of $300 USD is non-refundable.

If you cancel less than 14 days before your course starts, none of your tuition or deposit will be refunded and you will receive a 鈥淲鈥 on your CU 麻豆影院 transcript.

Transcript & course credit

You can obtain a transcript for course credit transfer via the . That page shows you how to use the Registrar's online ordering system. If you have questions, email transcriptinfo@colorado.edu for assistance.

Should I take a MRS field course?


Live & learn听
at 9500ft+


Hands-on fieldwork,
real science


Small cohorts听
+ individual projects


Open to students听
from any institution


Not just a course;
it's an experience

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 r茅sum茅. 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.听

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.

Contacts

Have a general question about how to register, pay, etc?

Email mrs@colorado.edu

Have a specific question about course content, prerequisites, etc?

Ask the instructor for the course.

Photos

Coming soon.

Want to see more education?

Learn environmental science through field courses, research, and outdoor experiences that inspire K鈥12, undergraduate, and graduate students.