The ocean became a living classroom for second-year Marine Biology students of the University of Northern Philippines–College of Arts and Sciences (UNP-CAS) as they conducted a hands-on coastal field study in Ilocos Norte on December 13, 2025.
Enrolled in MBio 102–Oceanography 2, the students, accompanied by their Program Head, Mr. Antonio Ayop, stepped beyond the confines of traditional lectures and immersed themselves in practical fieldwork focused on Coastal Oceanography. The activity aimed to equip students with essential physical and geological skills as a foundation for more advanced chemical and biological oceanographic concepts. It also supported the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Quality Education (SDG 4) and Life Below Water (SDG 14).
The field survey brought students to two contrasting coastal sites, each offering distinct scientific learning opportunities. The first stop was the iconic Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. Acting as geological field surveyors, students classified the beach type and examined how continuous wave action shapes coastal landforms over time. They also assessed the impacts of wave erosion along the shoreline, gaining firsthand insight into coastal geomorphological processes.
The second site, Pagudpud Beach, shifted the focus to ocean dynamics. Here, students applied basic engineering and oceanographic principles by deploying a handmade drogue to measure the direction and speed of surface currents. To explore what lies beneath the waves, they used a corer to extract sediment samples from the seafloor. These samples allowed students to observe sediment layers and composition, providing valuable information on benthic environments and sedimentation processes.
Under the close supervision of Mr. Ayop, the students practiced fundamental marine sampling techniques, including beach classification, current assessment, and sediment analysis. Set against the vibrant and ever-changing coastline of Ilocos Norte, the field activity proved to be both academically enriching and inspiring—strengthening students’ scientific skills while nurturing their commitment to becoming future marine scientists.
Photo by Antonio Ayop.
