Applications

To apply, email robert.wood@slu.edu with the following information:

First and last name
Banner ID
Phone number
Address
Name of the field course you wish to take

Seats in all three courses are reserved in the order that emails requests received.

Instructions on how to register for the RBS courses during the regular spring enrollment period will be sent to you.

Summer Course Photos

Summer Courses

Saint Louis University offers several upper-division field biology courses at Reis Biological Field Station each summer.

A group of six students stand and kneel at the top of a rocky bluff overlooking the Ozark forests.

BIOL 4330: Spring Flora of the Ozarks

Course description: Spring Flora is a field-based course designed to acquaint students with the spring flora of the Ozark Highlands Physiographic Province. Students will learn to recognize common plant families found in Missouri and to identify plant species using taxonomic keys.

Instructor: Marcela Mora, Ph.D.

Credit Hours: 4
Session: May 17, 2026 to June 6, 2026
Cost: Approximately $3,200 for tuition and $500 for food.
All buildings have AC.
Transportation to and from the field station is provided.
Contact Robert Wood for registration (robert.wood@slu.edu)

A group of students stands in a forest, examining papers and samples.

BIOL 3070/4760: General Ecology (Lecture & Lab)

Instructor: Alice Tipton, Ph.D.
Credit hours: 4 total (3 for lecture, 1 got Lab)
Session: May 17, 2026 to June 6, 2026

Experience the beautiful Ozarks while also gaining firsthand experience with research. Students must enroll in both the lab (BIOL4760-01) and the lecture (BIOL 3070-01) to be enrolled

Questions? Contact (alice.tipton@slu.edu) or Robert Wood (robert.wood@slu.edu).

A student kneels in the forest and examines samples.

Learning Conditions

Field courses include major outdoor components. Expect to spend a considerable portion of class time hiking, canoeing, sampling, and wading in potentially hot, humid weather. Classes are not canceled for rain.

You will likely encounter wildlife such as mosquitoes, ticks, snakes, and frogs, as well as plants like poison ivy and stinging nettles. We will ensure you learn to recognize these organisms to avoid or deal with them appropriately.

How to Apply

First and last name
Banner ID
Phone number and address
Name of the field course you wish to take

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can take field courses?

The only prerequisite for all field courses is BIOL 1060: Principles of Biology II. Students who have completed freshman biology are encouraged to apply.

What is the daily schedule like?

The session runs Monday through Saturday for three weeks. Classes run all day Monday through Friday (typically 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of lab), with exams given on Saturday morning.

What is housing and food like?

Housing: Students stay in single-sex cabins that are heated and air-conditioned. Bring your own pillow, linens/sleeping bag, and towels. Shower houses are located nearby. A coin-operated laundry is also available.

Meals: We provide three meals each day, ranging from hot breakfasts to grilled dinners and fresh salads. Meatless options are available at every meal.

How do I get to the station?

SLU provides transportation to and from the station at the beginning and end of the session. You may also drive yourself. All transportation to off-site field locations during the session is provided.

Is there internet or cell service?

The station has a DSL internet connection. Cell phone reception is spotty at the station but works more reliably a five-minute drive away. A landline is available for emergencies.