Spring 2027 Travel Courses - updates coming soon

The Spring 2027 Travel Course Interest Form will be available the first week of October. 

Undergrads: 

Graduate ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s:  

Registration & Policies

Travel Requirements

 

  • ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s must have a valid passport with at least six months of validity when traveling internationally. Most countries will not permit a traveler to enter their country unless the passport is set to expire at least six months after the final day of travel.
  • All participants will be asked to complete a Participation Agreement, which includes a Travel Course Waiver & Release and a Medical Information Form, for each course. Participation agreements for undergraduates need to be signed by parents/guardians. 
  • ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s may participate in up to two travel courses.
  • Review the for any recommended or required vaccinations. Duke has a on main campus (Durham, NC) to support student vaccination needs. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s from outside universities should check with their institution to determine the best way to get any needed vaccines. Carteret County does not carry all of the required vaccines, so we recommend students get the required vaccines before arriving to the Marine Lab.
  • Visit  for additional information including SOS International Travel Insurance, and the required Duke Travel Registry.

Costs

In addition to semester tuition, students will be responsible for a travel course fee, travel to and from the location, and some meals (depending on the course). Review the individual course descriptions for associated costs.  

How to Register

Space is limited. Duke Marine Lab staff work with students to ensure fair distribution of slots for undergraduates and graduates. Permission for travel courses is granted by individual instructors and in conjunction with Marine Lab administration after a Dean's check to verify good academic standing. Please contact Gwendy Womble with questions.  

If it is your intention to take more than one travel courses and you are interested in research independent study, please send an email to Gwendy Womble.

Please complete theTravel Course Qualtrics found here: to note your travel course preferences and to provide us with some information about you. This form will ask for your passport information. Read the expectations for each travel you are interested in prior to completing the survey. You will be asked to sign an acknowledgment that you have read and understand the course expectations in the form. 

**To request a permission number for a travel course, you must complete the  form. Email Gwendy Womble, gwendolyn.womble@duke.edu with questions.  

Travel Course Refund Policy

Voluntary Withdrawal

In the case of withdrawal, any remaining paid tuition will be refunded in accordance with the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ refund policy outlined in the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Bulletin of Undergraduate Instruction :

  • Withdrawal before classes begin: Full tuition refunded.
  • Withdrawal during first or second week: 80% of tuition refunded.
  • Withdrawal during third, fourth, or fifth week: 60% of tuition refunded.
  • Withdrawal during sixth week: 20% of tuition refunded.
  • Withdrawal after six weeks: No tuition refunded.

If a student elects to withdraw from a travel course before classes begin, the program fee will be removed from the student’s bursar account. Airfare is nonrefundable; students are responsible for these costs if they withdraw from the course after the purchase has been made.

Refunds for Involuntary Withdrawal

Duke students asked to withdraw due to academic or disciplinary probation, suspension, or violation of the Duke Community Standard once a program is underway will not receive a refund.

 

Spring 2027 Travel Courses 

To request a permission number for a travel course, please see the "How to register" section above.

BLOCK B: BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY - 2027 BASED IN BEAUFORT WITH OVERNIGHT TRAVEL TRIPS 

The Biological Oceanography course will be  based in Beaufort and will include several overnight local field excursions. Due to the local nature of the course, it does not have a course fee. 

MARSCI 369LA Undergraduate Registration
ENVIRON 704LA Graduate Registration 

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. Recommended intro bio or AP Bio credit. 

  • Location: Beaufort
  • Travel Dates: Block B, precise trip dates TBD
  • Faculty: Zackary Johnson
  • Course Fee: n/a
  • Biological Oceanography Course Expectations (coming soon) 
  • Credit: 1.0 course (4 credit/semester hours)
  • DukeHub Listing: MARSCI, BIOLOGY, ENVIRON 369LA, ECS 273LA

BLOCK B: MARINE ECOLOGY - 2027 LOCATION: BELIZE,  2027 course fee: $3950 

MARSCI/ENVIRON BIOLOGY 273LA. Undergraduate Registration

ENVIRON 773LA. Graduate Registration  

Factors that influence the distribution, abundance, and diversity of marine organisms, including a survey of the major flora and fauna in the marine environment. 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.

  • Location: Belize,
  • Travel Dates: 2027 Block B, travel dates Feb. 15, 2027 - Feb. 28, 2027 
  • Faculty: Dr. Brian Silliman
  • Course Fee: $3950 â€“ does not include airfare.
  • Marine Ecology course expectations can be found here:
  • Marine Ecology packing list:

Spring 2027: ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s interested in participating in this course will need to complete the course questionnaire via the  to receive a permission number to enroll. 

BLOCK C SOCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS AND INDIGENOUS RESOURCE MGMT. - 2027 LOCATION: BRITISH COLUMBIA, 2027 course fee: coming soon

MARSCI 505A Graduate and Undergraduate Registration
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. 

Spring 2027: ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s interested in participating in this course will need to complete the course questionnaire via the  to receive a permission number to enroll. 

Block D: BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF SEA TURTLES - PUERTO RICO & ST. CRIOX, 2027 course fee coming soon

MARSCI/BIOLOGY/ENVIRON 375A.Undergraduate Registration
ENVIRON 777A.  Graduate Registration

Essential biology of sea turtles (evolution, anatomy, physiology, behavior, life history, population dynamics) and their conservation needs; emphasis on their role in marine ecosystem structure and function. Basic ecological concepts integrated with related topics including the conservation and management of endangered species, the contributions of technology to the management of migratory marine species, the role of research in national and international law and policy, and the veterinary aspects of conservation.

  • Travel dates: Block D: 2027 TBA (2026 dates were April 18 - April 28) 
  • Faculty: Dr. Matthew Godfrey
  • Course fee: 2027 course fee coming soon - does not include airfare 
  • Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles course expectations can be found here:
  • Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles packing list: COMING SOON

**ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s interested in participating in the Sea Turtles travel course are required to acknowledge and sign the statement of expectations for the course in the  to receive a permission to enroll.

 


*Course Fees: The course fee will be posted on students’ Duke bursar bill and usually includes in-country food, lodging, activity fees, and on-site course-related transportation. There are exceptions. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½s should check with the instructor for details. Fees subject to change.