Experiential Learning

Sarah O’Sullivan on experiential learning at URI

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Students are encouraged to perform research or independent study projects with faculty and take advantage of the unique programs available through College of the Environment and Life Sciences.

Undergraduate Research Fellowships


Undergraduate Teaching Assistant opportunities

Students are encouraged to join the Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) program in Biological Sciences labs.

Upon successful completion of lab, interested students are encouraged to apply to the UTA program. URI BioSci engages UTAs who truly understand the material and can: 1) communicate their knowledge effectively, 2) engage students in learning material, and 3) work with the GTA to create an equitable and productive learning environment.

UTAs have the unique role of acting in two capacities. UTAs aid fellow students as peer-educators and use their experience as a student-teachers to help improve course content. The UTA role is also an excellent leadership opportunity that allows students to work closely with faculty and graduate students.


Semester programs

URI offers credit for students who spend a semester taking courses and doing research at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science and the SEA Semester program at Woods Hole through the URI study abroad program.

Semester Programs

Regional Opportunities

Our students take advantage of the many internships and research opportunities in the region, including the RI Department of Environmental Management, the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration, the Roger Williams Zoo, Save the Bay, and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

The URI Center for Career and Experiential Education helps students get started.

Find Internships

Diving Research and Safety Information

Scuba diving is an important part of both academics and undersea research at the University of Rhode Island. The Diving Safety Program provides training and support for underwater research and exploration.

URI Diving Safety Program
High resolution image capture of a blue microplastic particle–which was identified using Raman spectroscopy to be polypropelene. The image came from a project funded by RI SeaGrant to investigate the composition, characteristics, and seasonal trends of microplastic particles in Narragansett Bay.
Photograph by Sarah Davis, PhD student