Tom Schultz, director of undergraduate studies for the Marine Science & Conservation (MSC) program, Meagan Dunphy-Daly, associate director of undergraduate studies for MSC, and Katie Wood, associate director of academic programs at the Duke Marine Lab, answered questions about the skills students earn from MSC courses as well as the advantages of the major.

Why should students explore courses in Marine Science & Conservation?

Our goal is to prepare Duke students to become dedicated stewards of the environment, including the protection of our oceans and coasts and the communities that depend on them. Courses in Marine Science & Conservation prepare students for careers in marine science, policy, and conservation, but also for positions within the public or private sections in careers like medicine, law, finance, engineering, education, or management. With course offerings in Durham and the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, North Carolina, we are committed to providing students an interdisciplinary approach to study marine systems, their protection, and their governance.

The Duke University Marine Lab offers unparalleled opportunities to learn through small classes, experiential field courses, and unique research opportunities. Students can immerse themselves in their education at the Marine Lab, and they tell us it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of their time at Duke. The inclusive and welcoming community is a hallmark of the Marine Lab experience, and the research opportunities at the lab prepare the next generation of ocean leaders.

What skills do students gain from Marine Science & Conservation courses that will benefit them moving forward?

Students will think critically about factors that influence the distribution, abundance, and diversity of marine organisms and be able to analyze policies concerning coastal and marine environments. Students will develop a wide variety of skillsets based on their specific interests. Many students in Marine Science & Conservation pursue faculty-mentored independent research and gain valuable field and laboratory experiences through field experiences including the Duke Aquafarm, offshore research cruises, remote sensing, drone technology, computation modeling, conservation genetic/genomics, and policy analysis. 

What are some of the advantages of majoring in Marine Science & Conservation?

The opportunity to study at the Duke University Marine Laboratory is a unique and distinct advantage for Marine Science & Conservation majors. With the small class sizes and immersive and experiential campus, students have immediate access to the marine environment and benefit from the professional network students build with Marine Science & Conservation faculty.

The Marine Science & Conservation major prepares students for a variety of careers in marine science, policy or conservation, as well as in medicine, law, finance, engineering, public service, education, or management. What students learn through the Marine Science and Conservation curriculum is an appreciation of the broad aspects of marine science including social, physical and natural science, with the opportunity to delve deeper into specific elements. This prepares them for success wherever their talent leads.