The information on this page applies to students who matriculated in fall 2020 or prior. Beginning fall 2021, the concentration in Marine Science & Conservation was replaced by the Marine Science & Conservation majors and minor. If you have questions about MSC coursework, please contact Tom Schultz, Director of Undergraduate Studies, at tom.schultz@duke.edu or Katie Wood, Assistant Director, Undergraduate & Marine Lab Programs, at katie.wood@duke.edu.
Marine Science and Conservation (MSC) encompasses the interdisciplinary study of marine systems, their conservation, and governance. Students pursuing an A.B. or B.S. with an MSC concentration gain a broad understanding of the natural and social sciences, and new technologies, critical to finding solutions to the challenges facing our marine species and ecosystems today.
Within this interdisciplinary framework, students acquire in-depth knowledge on a specialized topic by pursuing a three-course area of focused study. This culminates in a Research Independent Study project that can be used toward Graduation with Distinction honors.
Most courses are taught in Durham, the student experience includes at least one semester – or four courses – of immersive learning at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, N.C.
In addition to spending a semester at the Marine Lab, our B.S. and A.B. majors with MSC concentrations can take advantage of travel courses to Mexico, Singapore and other international locations, as well as shorter field trips to sites of environmental interest around the Southeast.
The Stanback Fellowship Program affords further opportunities for students to gain vital experience through summer internships.
In both Durham and Beaufort, small class sizes, lots of interaction with professors, and a tight-knit community that shares your passion for the environment are program hallmarks.
About 40% of our students are double majors.
All Duke undergraduates, regardless of major, can spend a semester studying at the Duke Marine Lab, our year-round coastal campus. Qualified non-Duke students can, too.
Located on an island at the southern tip of the Outer Banks, the Marine Lab offers an undergrad experience unlike any other, emphasizing small classes, intensive research experiences, immersion in field work and the opportunity to sample other maritime environments through travel classes.
Expect lots of interaction with your professors, who view teaching as a natural extension of their research. The campus setting is pretty awesome, too: your classes, labs, dining hall, gym and library are just steps from your dorm and a seashell’s throw from the water’s edge.
While many undergraduates who pursue an A.B. or B.S. with an MSC concentration go on to careers in marine science, policy or conservation, many others pursue careers in medicine, law, finance, engineering, public service, education or management. What they learn through our curriculum prepares them for success wherever their talent leads.
The B.S. in Environmental Sciences with an MSC concentration is well suited to students planning careers or advanced studies in the natural sciences, environmental health and ecotoxicology, medicine, global health, conservation science or other scientific or technological fields.
ENV 201 (Integrating Environmental Sciences and Policy)
6 courses, at least one from each category
Marine Ecology
ENV 273LA (Marine Ecology)
ENV 383LA (Marine Molecular Microbiology)
ENV 571A (Urban Tropical Ecology w/Travel to Singapore)
Conservation
ENV 205 (Marine Megafauna)
ENV 270 (Conservation Biology and Policy)
ENV 286A (Marine Policy)
ENV 305A (Social Impact Analysis)
ENV 375(L)A (Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles)
ENV 376(L)A (Marine Mammals)
ENV 528SA (Community-based Marine Conservation)
ENV 533A (Fisheries Policy)
ENV 551DA (International Conservation and Development)
Organismal: structure/function
ENV 278LA (Comparative Physiology of Marine Animals)
ENV 360 (Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology)
ENV 373LA (Sensory Physiology of Marine Animals)
ENV 377LA (Marine Invertebrate Zoology)
ENV 501 (Environmental Toxicology)
BIO 275A (Biology for Engineers)
Marine Processes
ENV 321A (Coastal Watershed Science and Policy)
ENV 370A (Introduction to Physical Oceanography)
ENV 445A (Marine Climate Change)
ENV 369LA (Biological Oceanography)
EOS 202 (Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics)
EOS 316A (Beach and Island Geological Processes)
ENV 362S (Changing Oceans)
EOS 404S (Geology of the Tropical Marine Environment)
Marine Tools/Skills
ENV 280LA (Bioacoustics)
ENV 226S or 226SK (Field Methods)
ENV 359 (Fundamentals of GIS)
ENV 559 (Advanced GIS)
Students must choose a focus area. At least 3 (2 with NS/EGR codes) courses must contribute to this focus, with 1 being a Research Independent Study. Core courses, but not co-reqs, can be used to fulfill this requirement. MSC faculty will prepare several focus area options that take advantage of the strengths of the Nicholas School and Duke University.
Students can choose an alternative focus area, in consultation with their advisor and Director of Undergraduate Studies. In the Spring of the Junior year, students will submit an essay that ties together these courses, along with any relevant experiences, and argues for a coherent focus area.
ENV 490: new course to be developed by core faculty to meet needs of BS and AB students
GWD: one semester of Independent Research required, 2 recommended
All MSC concentration students will be required to spend a minimum of 1 semester at the Marine Lab.
*Approval of substitute courses taken at other universities must be obtained from the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the department offering the course. Please note that some of these courses are prerequisite to some upper-level courses in this major.
The A.B. in Environmental Sciences and Policy with an MSC concentration prepares students to be science-literate decision makers. Students seeking a strong foundation for careers in policy, business, law, health, education or the nonprofit or public service sector are well served by this curriculum.
ENV 201 (Integrating Environmental Sciences and Policy)
3 courses, one from each category
Environmental Humanities
Marine Conservation
Marine Sciences
Students will choose an Area of Specialization in consultation with their advisor. Three courses fulfill this requirement, with at least one being an Independent Study or Research Independent Study. Students will choose between Marine Conservation and Marine Science to develop depth in a chosen discipline. MSC faculty will prepare several focus area options that take advantage of the strengths of the Marine Lab, the Nicholas School and Duke University. Students can choose an alternative focus area, in consultation with their advisor and Director of Undergraduate Studies. In the Spring of the Junior year, students will submit an essay that ties together these courses, along with any relevant experiences, and argues for a coherent area of specialization.
ENV 490: new course to be developed by core faculty to meet needs of BS and AB students
GWD: one semester of Independent Research required, 2 recommended
Students must spend at least 1 semester at the Marine Lab
*Approval of substitute courses taken at other universities must be obtained from the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the department offering the course. Please note that some of these courses are prerequisite to some upper-level courses in this major.
For a summer or a semester, you can experience island living and hands-on learning, earnest faculty, small classes, low faculty-to-student ratios and the camaraderie of a close-knit community.
Students from all disciplines—not just marine science—shape their experience by mixing field courses, lab courses, lectures and research to meet curricular needs and match personal interests.
