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Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Academics

Undergraduate Programs

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Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Academics

Undergraduate Programs

Our rigorous academic programs prepare students to be leaders and innovators in environmental science, policy and management; energy; technology; physical and marine sciences; conservation; medicine and global health; law, and other high-impact fields.
Fer and Annie sampling

Majors & Minors

EARTH & CLIMATE SCIENCES

MARINE SCIENCE & CONSERVATION

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES & POLICY

Undergraduate Certificates

SUSTAINABILITY ENGAGEMENT

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT


Alex Glass with students

Take a Course to Get Started

You can register for courses in environmental, climate and marine science to fulfill graduation requirements, regardless of your intended major. Search for courses in DukeHub.

– ECS 101 The Dynamic Earth (STS, NS)

– ECS 103 Climate Change for Future Leaders (STS, NS)

– ENVIRON 102 Intro to Env. Sciences & Policy (STS, NS)

– MARSCI 201 Humans & Changing Oceans (STS, SS)

– MARSCI 202 Marine Biology & Ecology (NS)


Nicki Cagle mentoring student in auditorium

Academic Programs

Career and Academic Innovation and Research Network of Scholars (CAIRNS)
Providing undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds with mentoring and training in support of environmental careers.

Duke University Marine Lab Scholars Programs
For students seeking small seminar experiences, experiential learning, enhanced faculty-student mentorship, scientific research and professional development.

3 students at Duke Marine Lab

Duke Marine Lab: Open to All Majors

Students from all disciplines—not just marine science—can study at the Duke University Marine Lab (DUML) for a summer or a semester. The Marine Lab experience emphasizes small classes, intensive research experiences, immersion in field work and the opportunity to sample other maritime environments through travel courses.

Learn More 

JP Barringer in the field

01 / 05

Earth & Climate Sciences

Immerse yourself in the study of the Earth’s climate system – including the solid earth, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere and the biosphere – while also gaining solid foundational knowledge of earth sciences.

about thE major & Minor

RV Kirby-Smith DUML Duke Marine Lab - 3 students with Tom Schultz

02 / 05

Marine Science & Conservation

Did you know that Duke now offers Marine Science and Conservation degrees? Take a deep dive on our new majors and minor, and learn how you can play a part in solving the issues confronting our oceans.

About the Major & Minor

Cameron Oglesby

03 / 05

Environmental Science & Policy

Gain a broad understanding of the natural world, humans’ impacts on it, and the physical, biological and social sciences critical to finding solutions to Earth’s most pressing environmental issues.

About the Major & Minor

Brandon Dawson ePortfolio group shot

04 / 05

Sustainability Engagement Certificate

Achieve a strong understanding of the interconnections between the environmental, economic and social aspects of sustainability by customizing courses and experiences around a theme of your choosing.

about the certificate

 

Energy Week 2019 students

05 / 05

Energy & Environment Certificate

Designed to explore the breadth of issues that confront our society in its need for clean, affordable and reliable energy, this certificate is highly recommended for students planning careers in the energy sector; the physical or natural sciences; environmental policy, management, law or economics.

about the certificate


undergraduate research


Making an Impact Through Hands-on Research

Undergraduates work collaboratively with their PhD mentor at the Duke Marine Lab to test and research the status of marsh grasses, which demonstrates the health of important coastal habitats.

Watch Video

Sustainable Management of Duke's Campus Trees

PhD student Renata Poulton Kamakura worked with Duke Landscape Services and undergraduate students in the Theory and Applications of Sustainability (ENV 245) course to determine how the more than 17,000 trees on the Duke University campus benefit sustainability—including their effect on carbon sequestration and stormwater mitigation.

Watch Video

An Ocean Excursion Tagging Whales

A biology major minoring in environmental sciences and policy, Sophie Hansen describes her summer experience with the Duke Marine Lab—a 4-day research expedition tagging whales on the R/V Shearwater, a research catamaran.

Watch Video


Saving Endangered Hummingbirds

As an undergraduate, Andrea Kolarova joined the research team led by renowned conservationist Stuart Pimm at the Nicholas School of the Environment. They're working to find ways to save endangered hummingbird species in South America.

Watch Video

Grainger hall and stone arch

Unearth the Possibilities

If you have questions about the courses, certificates, or majors/minors offered through the Nicholas School of the Environment, we invite you to reach out to our undergraduate program coordinator, Bailee Starnes, at bailee.starnes@duke.edu.

Email Us


 

Leading the Charge

You’ll find Nicholas School alums pursuing their passion and making positive impacts worldwide. Our programs give them the foundational knowledge and practical skills to become leaders and innovators in a wide array of fields and sectors.

Jim Poss.jpg
Jim Poss
Inventor and CEO
Big Belly Solar
Environmental Sciences & Policy

T'96, BA ENV

Maiana Hanshaw
Maiana Hanshaw
Associate Scientist
Center for Severe Weather Research
Earth & Climate Sciences

T'06 BS Earth & Ocean Sciences

Erica Blyther
Erica Blyther
Environmental Affairs Officer
City of Los Angeles Office of Petroleum and Natural Gas Administration and Safety in the Board of Public Works
Environmental Sciences & Policy

BA '98

Kevin He
Kevin He
Economics Associate
Oceana, Inc.
Environmental Sciences & Policy

T'13, BS, Environmental Science

Teresa Christopher
Teresa R. Christopher
The National Audubon Society
Vice President, Strategy and Operations
Earth & Climate Sciences

T'03 BS, Earth and Ocean Science; BA, Political Science/International Relations

Jared Smith
Consultant
PA Consulting Group
Environmental Sciences & Policy

T'09, AB Environmental Policy & Science

Alex Robel
Assistant Professor
Georgia Institute of Technology
Earth & Climate Sciences

T'10, BS Earth & Ocean Sciences; BA, Physics, minor in Math

Pincelli Hull
Pincelli Hull
Assistant Professor
Department of Geology & Geophysics, Yale University
Earth & Climate Sciences

T'99, B.S., Earth & Ocean Sciences; B.S. Biology (concentration Marine Biology)

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