BMSC Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

If you attend one of the five member universities (University of Victoria, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Alberta, and University of Calgary) courses taken at BMSC will count as upper-level biology credits.

UBCO students must use the UBC Cross Campus registration process for UBC Vancouver offerings, or must obtain a letter of permission for non-UBC courses.

You can always contact University Programs (university@bamfieldmsc.com) and we’ll point you in the right direction. A staff directory is here (with contact info).

Applications are not ranked first come first serve but on their individual merits.  The selection of students is based on a combination of GPA, prerequisites, letter of interest, and also depends upon the pool of the applicants.

We also give preference to those students that are currently in their 3rd and 4th year of study.

In the Summer, each six-week immersion course carries credit equivalent to a two-semester university course, while three-week courses carry credit equivalent to one one-semester university course.

Students may take as many courses as they like, but only one course at a time. Courses are an intense immersion experience, running from Monday to Friday (or Saturday), 8 hours on average per day.

In the Fall, the fifteen week Fall Program consists of five courses which, taken together, equal a full semester of courses.

See table below for equivalent number of units.

Yes, non-member students are encouraged to take courses at BMSC. Non-member students who wish to take BMSC courses for credit must apply as a Visiting Student at the University of Victoria.

Instructions on how to apply to BMSC as a non-member university student can be found here: How to Apply

Your home institution may have an exchange program with one of five member universities, be sure to check with your home institution advisor.

Depending on your home university, credit can be received from BMSC courses. UBCO students must use the UBC Cross Campus registration process for UBC Vancouver offerings, or must obtain a letter of permission for non-UBC courses.

Credit transfers are the student’s responsibility and should be worked out with the home university prior to coming to Bamfield. Specific questions about credit transfer can be directed to the University Programs Coordinator. Non-member students receive transfer credit from the University of Victoria.

Students must request a transcript be sent from UVic from your home university. You can request transcripts online.

Instructions on how to apply to BMSC as a non-member university student can be found here: How to Apply

The Education Testing Center has agreed BMSC can be a test site, so YES.

All applicants for summer courses are automatically considered for BMSC scholarships awarded by the Western Canadian Universities Marine Sciences Society (WCMSS). You do not need to apply for BMSC scholarships, all summer and fall applicants are automatically considered for scholarships. We will let you know if you received one with your acceptance notice.

Courses at BMSC are considered the same as courses taken from your university so you may be eligible for financial assistance from your university. Contact the Financial Aid Officer at your institution for more information.

 […more about scholarships]

Fees consist of two parts: 1) Tuition and 2) BMSC fee.

Tuition: must be paid directly to a member university before commencement of a course (just like any course you’ve ever taken at your university). Only non-credit (auditing) students pay tuition to BMSC.

BMSC fee: payable to BMSC, and due in full upon arrival.  The BMSC fee includes the full cost of your room and board, and a user fee. There will be time on the first day of your course to pay fees. BMSC accepts cash, money order, cheque, debit, or credit card. Foreign Students: As BMSC is unable to transact payments in foreign funds or to change foreign traveler’s cheques, please arrange to make all payments in Canadian funds, or pay by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

2023 Summer and Fall BMSC Fees

2023 Summer: Cost breakdown of BMSC Fees for student loan and scholarship applications

If you are not driving a personal vehicle, you can book bus seats (or charters) through West Coast Trail Express (from Nanaimo or Victoria), or contact Lady Rose Marine Services for details on passenger ferry service between Port Alberni and Bamfield.

To operate small vessels (the Copes) at BMSC, Transport Canada requires the operator to have at a minimum a valid Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC) and a valid Marine Basic First Aid, or any 2-day (minimum 16 hr) First Aid + CPR-C course recognized in provinces or territories. ‘In-person’ or ‘blended’ courses that meet the above criteria are acceptable.

Boat checkouts and safety training by BMSC foreshore staff are also required prior to the start of your course.

“Foreign boaters” should link to Transport Canada Visitor Information

Click here for details

STUDENTS:
Students are not required to operate power boats if they don’t want to. Further, some courses do not involve the use of power boats. However, for many courses it is recommended that students obtain a PCOC and appropriate first aid training so they can operate boats. When they arrive at BMSC, every student in possession of a PCOC (or higher marine safety training) and an 2-day First Aid certificate recognized by a province or territory (e.g. Red Cross, St. John’s) is trained to use our power boats, and given the opportunity to practice their skills prior to being given permission to take the boats outside the inlet.

Fall 2021 Students:

We at the BMSC are excited to potentially offer full use of our Cope fleet for the 2021 Fall Program. This is based on B.C.’s Restart Plan and on B.C. Health Guidelines and restrictions being lifted prior to or during Fall Program. Once BC Health Guidelines permit, boat training and use will be provided to students who hold a valid PCOC certification and 2-day First Aid + CPR-C course (see above). It is necessary to obtain these certifications before arriving at BMSC for the start of the Fall Program, as it is not feasible once the program has begun. Operating boats at BMSC is entirely optional.

See our Accommodation page for details.

The Bamfield Health Centre is located at 353 Bamfield Road.

Regular business hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm. Phone: 250-728-3312 (Nurse also on-call 24-hrs)

The nurse sometimes leaves the Centre to make house calls or deliveries, therefore it is recommended that you call ahead from BMSC before going to the Health Centre, even during Business Hours. Also, note that there is no cell phone service directly outside of the Health Clinic. The closest cell phone service spot is just South of the Centre at the top of the hill on Bamfield Rd (above the hotel/pub).

The village of Bamfield is also on the 911 system. 911 dispatch can task the appropriate assistance in any emergency.

https://www.islandhealth.ca/our-locations/hospitals-health-centre-locations/bamfield-health-centre

There are two grocery stores: The Market (east Bamfield) and the Bamfield Mercantile and Marine, (west Bamfield) – both stores sell liquor. There is a café, a restaurant, a pub and hotel, a building supply and home hardware store (some rain gear), a marine supply store (some rain/camping gear – they also patch flat tires!), 1 automobile gas bar, 2 marine gas stations, 2 campgrounds, 2 community parks, and several B&B’s.

There are no banks in Bamfield. There is an ATM at The Market and some businesses offer cash back.

Check out the Bamfield Chamber of Commerce for more details about businesses in Bamfield.

Student resources can be found here

 Summer Program:  Summer Program – Packing list

 Fall Program:  Fall Program – Packing list

Each Building (including accommodations) on campus is equipped with wireless internet.

The kitchen is equipped to accommodate many  dietary needs and allergies.

For more information check out  BMSC Food Services.

Please make your needs known to the University Programs Coordinator before arriving in Bamfield.

You can purchase stamps and send mail via the Main Office at BMSC.

Mail arrives three times a week (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday) on the Francis Barkley. It will be sorted alphabetically and placed into communal boxes outside the main office by 5:00 pm.

Mail can be addressed to:

Your Name
C/O BMSC
100 Pachena Road
Bamfield, BC
V0R 1B0

Letters can be mailed at any time in the mail slot outside the office door. Stamps are available from the office.  There is a post office next to the store in West Bamfield.

YES!

BMSC has implemented a scent-free workplace environment. Exposure to scented products can adversely affect a person’s health. In high concentrations, scented products may trigger a negative response for those with allergies or chemical sensitivities. Students and visitors are asked to be considerate in their use of products such as perfume, makeup, shampoo, deodorant, etc. or from other products such as air fresheners, cleaners, etc.

Students attending courses must live in on-site accommodations but camping excursions may be part of your specified courses. You can also bring camping gear for personal camping on weekends or free time!

Pets are not permitted at BMSC.