An Unforgettable Duke Experience
For a summer or a semester, 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.
A Welcoming Community of Scholars
Students consistently say they value the inclusive learning environment at the 91 Marine Lab (DUML). You will find abundant opportunities to get to know your professors, learn from master's and doctoral students, and form meaningful connections sparked by shared interests.
Field Experiences Abroad
During the week-long fall break, students can opt to take a half-credit intensive field experience on the coast of Panama. In the spring semester, we offer travel courses with extended field components in locations such as Australia, Belize, South Florida, Mexico, Puerto Rico/St. Croix and Singapore (additional travel costs apply).
Undergraduate Research
In the fall, nearly every undergraduate student enrolls in research independent study, joining one of 15-20 faculty-led projects in biology, environmental science and policy, and marine science and conservation.
Look for the latest list of research independent study projects on the Fall Courses page
01 / 05 • from our students
a day at duml
Aaron Siegle, an Environmental Sciences and Policy major, recently spent a semester at DUML and shared highlights from undergrad visitation day at the Marine Lab. Visiting students got to experience the campus, the R/V Shearwater, a boat ride around Taylor's Creek, the lab's touch tanks and more!
02 / 05 • from our students
duke marine lab Q&A Takeover
Sara Norton, T'25, shared her day in Beaufort, NC, and answered questions while she was a biology and marine science and conservation student spending a semester at the Marine Lab. Sara shared some of her favorite spots on campus, wildlife sightings, favorite classes and more about life at DUML.
03 / 05 • from our students
Hands-On field experiences
DUML students in the Ocean Engineering course took advantage of hands-on experiences outside the classroom. They built and tested hydrophones at the dock and deeper waters, assisted with testing a deep-water sampling rosette on the R/V Shearwater, and observed marine mammals. They also gained valuable skills in the engineering co-lab, where they learned to build devices using light in optical fibers to measure sound in water.
04 / 05 • from our students
Favorite things?
“The small group learning environment, the cats, and the strong sense of community.”
–Melissa Marchese '21, global health + environmental sciences
05 / 05 • from our students
On Travel Courses
"Looking back at the few days we’d had so far on Isla Tiburon, I’m absolutely stunned by the treasures that we had been so fortunate to see, and thankful for the beautiful people from whom I had learned so much."
–Joshua Chin, undergraDuate student
Photo: Students in the course '' tag and release turtles in the study of marine protected areas.
Experiential Learning in Belize
Undergraduate and graduate students in the Marine Ecology course spent a block of January in Belize learning about factors that influence the distribution, abundance, and diversity of marine organisms, including a survey of the major flora and fauna in the marine environment.
A Complete Coastal Campus
The campus has all the things you’d expect at any college—a dining hall, library and student common spaces—plus a few extras like kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles and a water view just about everywhere you look.
Undergraduates all live on campus together in one of five residence halls. Classes are scheduled around breaks for lunch and dinner, giving students a chance to meet up for meals.
curriculum
Courses Open to all majors
Undergraduates from any major are welcome to study at the Marine Lab. Courses fulfill a wide variety of general education requirements and are cross listed with other disciplines such as engineering, public policy and neuroscience.
Year-Round Courses
The fall semester is a traditional schedule starting in August and ending in December, with one full week for fall break.
Spring semester is scheduled in five blocks, each running about three and half weeks. Travel courses are offered in each block (extra costs apply), as well as Beaufort-based options.
The two five-week summer terms feature a suite of experiential marine science courses as well as organic chemistry, calculus, statistics and physics.
Financial Support Options
Use your Duke financial aid. 91 students who receive financial aid can apply their aid to study at the Marine Lab and enroll in travel courses. Summer tuition scholarships and residential advisor positions are also available.
Who Studies at the marine lab?
undergraduates
Enrollment is open to all college undergraduates. Students from other institutions are also welcome to study with us.
Many students, particularly those in pre-health, natural science and environmental science majors, take advantage of our personalized instruction to fulfill major requirements and explore electives and independent study options not offered elsewhere.
master's students
Many Master of Environmental Management students in the Coastal and Marine Systems (CAMS) concentration will spend up to two semesters at the Marine Lab, but you do not have to be a CAMS student to take advantage of our coastal campus.
doctoral students
The Marine Science and Conservation Ph.D. program is offered through the Duke Graduate School via the Nicholas School’s Division of Marine Science and Conservation. Ph.D. Students spend one year in Durham and four years at DUML.
Entering Duke, I knew I wanted to study animal behavior, but marine science was not even on my radar due to a lack of marine science opportunities in my hometown. Becoming a Bonaventura Fellow and gaining hands-on marine mammal research experience at DUML has allowed me to delve further into the field of animal behavior by studying the wonderful and mysterious animals of our oceans. Through my independent project on the social organization of goose-beaked whales, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with whale experts and answer questions about the lives of the deepest diving whales in the world."
-Maya Reilly, Undergraduate student
Enrollment
Did I miss the deadline?
For Duke students in good standing, there are no application deadlines—just send us an email to enroll. Duke students register for Marine Lab classes in Duke Hub during their normal assigned registration window.
Students from other institutions are welcome to study at the Marine Lab, as well. Visiting college student enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.
How can I fit this into my four years?
Our academic program staff is only an email away if you are unsure about how to fit in a semester at the Marine Lab. We assist students from all disciplines—including pre-health and engineering—to identify Marine Lab courses that satisfy your curricular requirements.
Questions?
Please reach out, we're happy to help:
Duke Marine Lab
135 Duke Marine Lab Rd
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 504-7503
Amanda Cole
Sign Up for Emails
We regularly visit the Durham campus for info fairs and to meet with students. Sign up for emails to receive event notifications and program announcements.
our Mission
We strive to be at the forefront of understanding marine environmental systems, their conservation, and their governance through leadership in research, training, communication, and application.