Undergraduate

The Duke Marine Lab offers undergraduate residential courses taught by world-renowned faculty from Duke University and other universities and research institutions. Small class sizes and an island setting facilitate rewarding student-faculty interactions. Course registration is open to all Duke students (from any major) and visiting students from other four-year institutions.

Courses

View undergraduate and graduate courses offered at the Marine Lab. Enrollment is open to all Duke students (from any major) and qualified visiting college students.

Dave Johnson travel course Hawaii_Ka_ena Point

Travel Courses – Marine Lab

The Duke University Marine Lab offers travel courses during the fall and spring semester to students who are enrolled full time for the semester.

Tuition & Fees

Itemized tuition information for study at the Marine Lab. Financial aid and scholarships are available for both Duke and non-Duke scholars to study at the Marine Lab.

Enrollment

All Duke students in good standing are automatically accepted to study at the Duke Marine Lab at any point after the spring semester of freshman year.

Undergraduate Majors & Minors

Marine Science & Conservation

Covering nearly three-quarters of the Earth, our oceans regulate the climate, provide food for billions of people, and are home to countless species and vast resources. If you’re passionate about understanding and solving the myriad of issues confronting our oceans and maritime communities, these majors are for you.

Earth & Climate Sciences

In this era of global change, the Earth and Climate Sciences major allows students to immerse themselves in understanding the Earth’s interacting and ever-changing scientific systems – including the solid earth, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the biosphere – and the role humans play in ensuring the sustainably of our environment.

Environmental Sciences & Policy

If you’re passionate about the environment, love interdisciplinary learning, and want to use the skills and knowledge you acquire at Duke to blaze new and better approaches to climate change and other environmental issues, these are the majors for you.

Note: The Marine Science and Conservation majors and minor will be available beginning fall 2021. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2020 can choose the new major, or an Environmental Sciences major with a concentration in Marine Science and Conservation.

Academic Programs

Rachel Carson Scholars Program

This program provides Duke University undergraduate students with direct research experience in marine science and conservation.

Duke Scholars in Marine Medicine Program

An interdisciplinary undergraduate research experience for pre-health undergraduate majors who have an interest in marine biology or environmental science.

Repass-Rodgers Scholars Program

An opportunity for Duke undergraduate students interested in marine conservation technology to engage in directed research with a faculty mentor.

Bonaventura Summer Research Fellows Program

A 10-week intensive summer research initiative for Duke undergraduate students at the Duke University Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, NC

Duke Marine Lab

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An Unforgettable Duke Experience

At the Duke Marine Lab, 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.

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Researching Climate Change at the Duke Marine Lab

Three undergraduate students with a passion for climate change research describe their unique opportunities to study at the Duke Marine Lab.

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An Undergraduate's Maiden Research Voyage at Sea

Nicholas School senior Sophie Hansen describes her summer experience with the Duke Marine Lab, a 4-day expedition tagging whales on the R/V Shearwater, a research catamaran.

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Undergraduates Have 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.

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A Sustainable Oyster Farm

The Duke Aquafarm is Duke’s other “campus farm,” where students grow oysters instead of produce and learn how the tasty bivalves could help take a bite out of coastal pollution.

Under the guidance of professor Tom Schultz, student volunteers learn how to clean and flip the floating bags, and care for the oysters to encourage healthy growth.

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Summer Experience

Research Experience for Undergraduates

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is a 10-week semi-independent summer research program based at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, NC. To be eligible, students must be a rising sophomore, junior or senior enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program.

Info & application

Plan Your Time at the Marine Lab