Majors & Programs › Institutes & Centers

On-Campus Research Institutes— Real Opportunities for Undergraduate Research

You'll find close to 20 research institutes, here at Humboldt State. These research centers embody our pursuit of academic excellence and provide undergraduate students with the kind of research experience that many universities reserve for Masters and Ph.D. candidates.

While some schools are narrowly focused in researching a single discipline (biology or sociology or economics), Humboldt State is committed to advancing knowledge on a wide range of topics. Here are just a few examples...

Institute for Redwood Ecology

Today we are at a changing point. Research in the field of redwood forest ecology has uncovered the majesty of these ancient giants in ways that science never even imagined.

With Professor Stephen Sillett’s groundbreaking canopy research, we know more than ever about the amazing world these trees occupy.

As we face global climate change, it's more important than ever that we understand redwoods.

It is the mission of the Institute for Redwood Ecology to expand knowledge of redwood forests to better equip scientists, foresters and land managers as we work to save these mighty giants.

Learn more about the Institute »

Schatz Energy Research Center

For the past 15 years, Humboldt State's Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC) has been an international leader in researching clean and renewable energy, such as solar, wind, and hydropower.

Humboldt State is one of the few universities in America where undergraduate students gain real experience with renewable energy technologies. Our students work alongside the nation’s foremost experts to design, build, operate, and demonstrate clean and sustainable energy systems.

SERC's accomplishments include the creation of the first fuel cell-powered car licensed to drive on the streets of America. SERC also lends its expertise to help developing countries (and other American universities) develop their own sustainable energy programs. Learn more about SERC.

Index of Economic Activity

What are your odds of finding work in Humboldt County? What kind of impact does the university have on businesses in the region? What’s happening to our real estate market? People with questions about Humboldt County’s economy find their answers in the statistics compiled by Humboldt State’s Index of Economic Activity for Humboldt County.

Our Index is Humboldt County's leading barometer of economic health and is widely used by local government and businesses. Every year, HSU undergraduate students are tasked with tracking every sector of the economy—from housing sales, to gas prices, to hotel vacancies... If it's part of the local economy, chances are our students are chronicling its course. In a tight-knit community like Humboldt, this sort of information is priceless. Learn more about the Index.

Northern California Institute of Marine Sciences

Northern California Institute of Marine Sciences (NCIMS) is an institute that draws its expertise from several of Humboldt State’s science departments, including: Biology, Fisheries Biology and Oceanography. NCIMS is the home of cutting edge research on marine systems, with a focus on coastal northern California. The Institute is frequently the focal point of collaboration between HSU faculty, students, professional marine scientists and government agencies.

To learn more about Humboldt State’s many research institutes, see our full list.