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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
T'06 BS Earth & Ocean Sciences
BA '98
T'13, BS, Environmental Science
T'03 BS, Earth and Ocean Science; BA, Political Science/International Relations
T'09, AB Environmental Policy & Science
T'10, BS Earth & Ocean Sciences; BA, Physics, minor in Math
T'99, B.S., Earth & Ocean Sciences; B.S. Biology (concentration Marine Biology)