Bigg's 201

Scholarship available for this class:

Yes

Registration opens:

October 17th

Seats available

Class Cost:

$1850

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In this 4.5 month course combining virtual lectures and in-person field trips, you will work with whale biologist Monika Wieland Shields of the Orca Behavior Institute to improve your scientific literacy by doing a deep dive to learn more about Bigg’s killer whales of the Salish Sea. Regardless of your background, this class will help you practice reading and understanding scientific papers, give you a chance to try collecting whale behavioral data in the field, and let you explore real-world sightings data to create graphs and maps as you follow a specific Bigg’s family group. In addition to bi-weekly sessions on Zoom, the full version of the class includes four boat trips and culminates with an in-person presentation where you can practice what you’ve learned about how to communicate science effectively. If you ever wondered what a career in marine biology might be like or you want to take your understanding of killer whales to the next level, this is the course for you!

Pay in full up front or split into 4 payments ($475 every 2 months) with a 2.9% transaction fee per payment.

Highlight video from Bigg's 201 boat trip excursion (April, 2024)

• 10 two-hour virtual Zoom sessions with Monika Wieland Shields including lectures, group discussions, and plenty of time for Q&A

• 4 boat trips with your instructors (3 from Anacortes, 1 from Friday Harbor), including highlight videos!

• Class binder mailed to you before the first session

• Access to 5 years of OBI's real-world sightings data on a specific family group of Bigg's killer whales

• Commemorative class T-shirt‍

• Community Discord server to connect with instructors and students between class sessions (and a tutorial on how to use Discord if it's new to you!)

• The opportunity to practice everything you've learned through a final in-person presentation with your classmates

There are no specific prerequisites other than a willingness to learn, challenge yourself, and engage with
others on throughout this educational experience. No specific scientific background is needed; in fact, we
anticipate that everyone's unique backgrounds will enrich the experience for everyone. The general
expectation is that students will spend 1-2 hours on class assignments in between sessions.

While the class will begin with a review of basic orca biology and life history, this is considered a more
advanced class for those with existing basic orca knowledge, rather than an introductory class for those
just learning about orcas for the first time. The Salish Sea School is offering an alternative class that may
be a better fit for those seeking an introductory level course.

‍Students will need to secure their own transportation to and from the in-person boat trips that depart from
Anacortes and Friday Harbor, though instructors will assist in planning trip logistics.

"Signing up for Biggs 201 was the best decision I've made in a while! Taking the course allowed me to deepen my knowledge and appreciation of the Biggs killer whales that I have the pleasure of seeing in Puget Sound. The OBI team makes research approachable, and they were so encouraging of our interests and questions. It was also such a treat to meet other fellow orca-fanatics and learn from each other during the course!"

"Thank you to OBI for an amazing experience in Bigg's 201! This class was a constant bright spot during the winter and spring months, always giving me something to look forward to. I loved learning about specific whale stories and getting to work with real-world sightings data. I ended the class feeling super proud of the work I put into my final presentation. My favorite part of the class was getting connected to a community of wonderful people!"

“Participating in the Biggs 201 Program made my childhood dream come true of being able to explore this field of marine research, which has always felt out of reach. The entire program was so fascinating and fun!! I appreciated the flexibility available for participants to learn at their own pace in a way that was not stressful. It was really incredible to encounter such inspiring humans and cetaceans, while feeling a deep sense of belonging and connection. Monika and OBI put a lot of heart and soul into making this an exceptional and truly life-changing experience that I will always cherish. I would wholeheartedly recommend making this happen if you’re considering taking a class!”

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone 18 and older who wants to:

Expand their knowledge of Bigg’s killer whales
Improve their scientific literacy
Learn what scientists do to take a research project from start to finish
Be able to read and understand scientific papers
Experience field research
Communicate effectively about science

Do you offer a payment plan and how do I sign up?

Splitting the class fee into 4 equal payments of $475 (spaced 2 months apart) is also an option with an additional 2.9% per
payment added to cover transaction fees. You can visit our payment plan page (when available) HERE

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancel by December 31, 2025 to receive a full refund minus a $100 administrative fee. No refunds for cancellations made in 2026.