Registration

For spring 2027, the Marine Lab will offer courses in a block schedule format. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s register for one course per block.

Travel Courses: See the schedule below for travel course offerings as they are confirmed. Visit our Travel page for course details and registration information. 

Dates

To view the upcoming spring semester dates, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Tentative 2027 Block Dates: 
Orientation: Tuesday, January 5 (new students only) 
Block A: Wednesday, January 6 - Tuesday, February 2 (no class on Monday, January 18 for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
Block B: Wednesday, February 3 - Monday, March 1
Block C: Tuesday, March 2 - Friday, April 2
Spring Break: Friday, March 5 (7pm) - Sunday, March 14
Block D: Monday, April 5 - Friday, April 30

Spring 2027 Courses

ENVIRON 504A MARINE PROTECTED AREAS 

  • Instructor: David Gill
  • Credit: 3 units (3 semester/credit hours) 
  • Course Travel: No

An interdisciplinary course that addresses concepts, issues, and approaches relevant to marine protected area (MPA) management and their impacts on marine ecosystems and coastal people. Course will address key topics in MPA design, management, and how context and management shapes MPA design and outcomes. This course will focus on sensitive marine ecosystems (e.g. coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses) and resource-dependent communities involved in fishing and tourism. Using real world case studies, students will apply introduced concepts and quantitative approaches to questions on MPA design and evaluating MPA social and ecological impacts. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s will engage with the course material primarily through group discussions, problem sets and lectures. Taught in Beaufort at Duke Marine Lab.

ENVIRON 505A SOCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS AND INDIGENOUS RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - TRAVEL COURSE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA

  • Instructor: Grant Murray
  • Credit: 3 units
  • Course Travel: Yes
  • View linked Travel Course Page for Costs and Policies: (will be updated for 2027 in October)

This course will explore theoretical and methodological aspects of social impact analysis (SIA) and apply and deepen that learning through an immersive experience in an Indigenous context in British Columbia, Canada. By addressing the social and cultural impacts conservation and development initiatives SIAs can be a critical component in planning, implementing, and monitoring effective conservation actions. Accordingly, this course will first develop an understanding of some of the core concepts, methods and applicable sociological theory upon which the design of social impact analysis is built. 

In all cases good SIAs should involve all potentially affected groups, should consider impact equity and differences by location and socio-economic status, and should consider a holistic and contextually grounded range of impacts. As such, this course will include an intensive field experience on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The course will based at the within Tla-o-qui-aht Territory (Tofino, BC). The are a Nuu-chah-nulth speaking people that are leaders in the development and implementation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). 

During the time in Tla-o-qui-aht Ha’houlthee (traditional territory) the students will be hosted by, and meet, several Tla-o-qui-aht citizens and knowledge holders, including some who are former Chiefs or Council members. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s will be engaged in a variety of practical and applied learning and field experiences relating to indigenous conservation. Course themes and components covered during this time will include the application of SIA concepts and understanding in this particular Indigenous context, as well as the background and history of territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities (ICCAs), Indigenous knowledge systems, Indigenous environmental stewardship, human-environmental relationships, and alternative approaches to planning. 

ENVIRON 533A MARINE FISHERIES POLICY

Principles, structure, and process of public policy-making for marine fisheries. Topics include local, regional, national, and international approaches to the management of marine fisheries. A social systems approach is used to analyze the biological, ecological, social, and economic aspects of the policy and management process. Taught in Beaufort at Duke Marine Lab.

ENVIRON 551DA INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Interrelated issues of conservation and development. Topics include the evolution of the two concepts and of theories regarding the relationship between them, the role of science, values, ethics, politics and other issues in informing beliefs about them, and strategies for resolving conflicts between them. While attention will be given to all scales of interaction (i.e. local, regional, national, international), the focus will be on international issues and the `north-south’ dimensions of the conservation and development dilemma. Examples from marine and coastal environments will be highlighted. Consent of instructor required. Taught in Beaufort at Duke Marine Lab.

ENVIRON 590A OCEAN ENGINEERING

  • Instructors: 
  • Credit:3 units
  • Course Travel: No
  • DukeHub Listing: ENVIRON, ECE 590A, ME 555A

A challenging Ocean Engineering project will be undertaken in this class. Past examples include participation in a national XPRIZE contest to build an Ocean Sensor. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s define project scope and form task-oriented sub-teams to make significant progress toward overall class project goal. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s are expected to spend several hours per week outside of class working on the team projects. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s will need to be in teams that can all meet for at least couple of hours at the same time each week. Taught at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, NC for the Spring 2025 semester. 

ENVIRON 704LA BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY  - LOCAL TRIPS ABOARD THE R/V SHEARWATER

Discusses patterns of abundance, diversity and activity of organisms in major ocean ecosystems. Identifies major physical, chemical and ecological processes that affect these patterns, and analyzes impact of biology on ecosystems. Uses a 'flipped' classroom for enhanced development of quantitative skills to measure these patterns, emphasizing hands-on data collection and analyses, multiple field trips aboard DUML research vessels, and participatory activities to demonstrate core concepts in biological oceanography. Taught at Duke Marine Lab.  Graduate section includes experimental design component and research paper on final project.

ENVIRON 726DA MARINE MAMMAL GENOMICS 

Current sequencing technologies have revolutionized the fields of molecular, evolutionary, and ecological genetics. The ability to generate an entire genome worth of sequence data in a single instrument run allows us to study whole genomes in a variety of non-model organisms. In this course, we will use the genomes of marine mammals to explore the field of genomics.  The course will start out with basic genomics (ie. Genome-101), move on to sequencing technologies and bioinformatics, and then explore conservation, ecological and evolutionary genetics of marine mammals using the literature and publicly available datasets.

Graduate section of MARSCI 304LA. Graduate section will be offered as seminar and discussion. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s will participate in weekly seminar, literature review and discussion, quizzes, exercises, and will complete a research paper with a focus on how genomic tools can be used for conservation of marine mammals. Offered at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort.

ENVIRON 735A DRONES IN MARINE BIOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND CONSERVATION

Includes a full overview of past and emerging applications for ecology and biology of marine species and coastal habitats, with in depth discussion on future of drone applications in coastal biological and ecological research. Comprehensive exploration of current drone technologies, including detection of target species, payloads, aeronautical concepts, rules and regulations, mission planning, aircraft design, maintenance, data collection, management and analysis. Lab components tailored to student interests: active participation in megafaunal or environmental research and data analysis; building, operating and maintaining aircraft, programming for manual and autonomous flight. Taught in Beaufort at Duke Marine Lab.

ENVIRON 737A ECOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF EXTREME ECOSYSTEMS

An exploration of the ecology of extreme marine ecosystems and the physiology behind the adaptations that allow inhabitants to survive and often thrive there. Marine ecosystems with extreme temperature, pressure, salinity, oxygenation, light, nutrient load, natural chemicals, and anthropogenic pollution will be discussed including polar seas, multiple deep sea and chemosynthetic ecosystems, oligotrophic gyres, oil spills, and superfund sites. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s will gain an understanding how these organisms and ecosystems function, their ecosystem services, threats by a changing ocean, and conservation challenges. Graduate students will join daily lectures on extreme marine ecosystems, present a recent primary literature paper on their extreme ecosystem of choice, and lead the class discussion of one of the assigned research papers. Each student will produce a final project (research paper, policy brief, case study, podcast, etc.) and give a presentation on an extreme ecosystem, threat, or conservation challenge of their choosing.

ENVIRON 772LA COASTAL RESTORATION ECOLOGY  

  • Instructor: J
  • Credit: 4 units 
  • Course Travel: No

Restoration ecology and ecological restoration. Major ecological theories that guide restoration ecology as well as the unique considerations and techniques needed to restore the world's dominant coastal ecosystems (e.g., saltmarshes, seagrass beds, coral reefs, etc.). Graduate students will complete a restoration case study, and will be responsible for identifying new restoration literature topic to present to the class. Graduate section offered in conjunction with undergraduate course MARSCI 301LA. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s will participate in lectures, discussions, and local field trips around the Marine Lab. Taught at the Duke Marine Lab.

ENVIRON 773LA MARINE ECOLOGY - TRAVEL COURSE TO BELIZE 

Factors that influence the distribution, abundance, and diversity of marine organisms. Course structure integrates lectures, field excursions, lab exercises and an independent project. Lecture topics include physical characteristics of marine systems, adaptation to environment, species interactions, biogeography, larval recruitment, and biodiversity and conservation of communities found in rocky shores, tidal flats, beaches, marshes, mangrove, coral reefs, and subtidal areas. Not open to students who have taken Biology 273LA. Taught in Beaufort at Duke Marine Lab. Grad students submit literature review. Prerequisite: introductory biology.

ENVIRON 777A BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF SEA TURTLES - TRAVEL COURSE TO ST. CROIX & PUERTO RICO

Essential biology of sea turtles (evolution, anatomy, physiology, behavior, life history, population dynamics) and their conservation needs, emphasizing their role in marine ecosystem structure and function. Will integrate basic ecological concepts with related topics including conservation and management of endangered species, contributions of technology to management of migratory marine species, role of research in national and international law and policy, and veterinary aspects of conservation. Taught in Beaufort at Duke Marine Lab. Field trip to Puerto Rico is required. Instructor permission is required. Prerequisite: introductory biology.

ENVIRON 778LA COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR OF MARINE ANIMALS 

  • Instructors:  Josh Osterberg
  • Credit: 4 units
  • Course Travel: No
  • Prerequisites: Introductory Biology and Chemistry

Physiology of marine animals with emphasis on comparisons between marine vertebrates and humans. Focus on physiological processes including gas exchange, circulation, osmoregulation, metabolism, thermoregulation, endocrine, neural control and sensory systems. Lectures and laboratories illustrate the methodology, analysis techniques, and written reporting of physiological research. Open to undergraduates only under Biology or Environment 278LA. Four units (fall, spring); six units (summer). Taught in Beaufort at Duke Marine Lab.

ENVIRON 822A COASTAL WATERSHED MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION

  • Instructor: Dana Hunt
  • Credit: 3 units
  • Course Travel: No

This course will examine management of coastal watersheds and their biological function, focusing on the positive (restoration) and negative (degradation, eutrophication) ways that humans alter ecosystems. Local field trips are an integral part of this class to examine anthropogenic modifications to coastal ecosystems (e.g. farms, wetland restoration) as well as discussing these issues with stakeholders at NGOs, businesses and government. Graduate section offered in conjunction with undergraduate course MARSCI 321A. Graduate students will analyze watershed management plans and propose science and policy solutions. Taught in Beaufort at the Duke Marine Lab.

ENVIRON 876A DATA & TIME SERIES ANALYSIS 

  • Instructor: Jim Hench
  • Credit: 4 units
  • Course Travel: No

Analysis of environmental time-series and other data sets. Topics include discrete sampling issues, data rejection and interpolation, coordinate rotations and principal axes, curve fits, regression, error and propagation of uncertainty, bootstrapping, filtering, spectral analysis, harmonic analysis, EOFs, wavelets. Lectures, workshops and homework assignments will apply these methods to environmental data sets. Each student will complete a final project, applying methods covered in class to data sets they choose, as part of or related to their research. Taught in Beaufort at Duke Marine Lab. Consent of instructor required.

 

Questions?

For help with graduate course registration, email Katie Wood (katie.wood@duke.edu).