Course Offerings
Students will select one course per block for a total of four courses. Each block offers at least one course that fulfills graduation requirements for ECE and ME students.
In addition, the full schedule of Marine Lab spring courses, including travel courses, is available to students in the Spring Engineering Semester who wish to further customize their block schedule. For a visual summary of all Marine Lab spring courses and travel courses by block, ).
Block A
ECE 461A, ME 426A: Ocean Engineering
OCEAN ENGINEERING
ECE, ENVIRON 461A, ME 426A
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. Students define project scope and form task-oriented sub-teams to make significant progress toward overall class project goal. Students are expected to spend several hours per week outside of class working on the team projects. Students will need to be in teams that can all meet for at least couple of hours at the same time each week.
- Prerequisite: One of ECE 230L, ECE 250D, ECE 270DL, ECE 280L, Mechanical Engineering 221L, Engineering 244L, or Environment 102.
- Instructors: , Doug Nowacek
- Block A
Social Science (SS) Courses in Block A
INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
ETHICS 551DA
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.
- Instructor: Lisa Campbell
- Curriculum Codes: CCI, SS
- Block A
Travel Courses in Block A
MARINE ECOLOGY – TRAVEL COURSE TO BELIZE
MARSCI, BIOLOGY, ENVIRON 273LA/EOS 374LA
Distribution, abundance, and diversity of marine organisms, including a survey of the major flora and fauna in the marine environment, including physical characteristics, 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. Lectures, field excursions, lab exercises and an independent project.
- Instructor: Brian Silliman
- Curriculum Codes: NS, R, W
- Block A
- View linked Travel Course Page for Costs and Policies: (will be updated for 2025 in October)
- Instructor consent required. Students interested in participating in this course will need to complete the course questionnaire via the DUML Travel Course Qualtrics (link forthcoming) to receive a permission number to enroll.
Block B
ECE 366A: Drones in Marine Biology Ecology & Conservation (NS, STS)
DRONES IN MARINE BIOLOGY ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
MARSCI, BIO, ENVIRON 335A
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 limits of target species, payload selection, operational procedures aeronautical concepts, rules and regulations, safety, mission planning, aircraft design, maintenance, data collection, management and analysis. Biological and technical 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.
The use of unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) is changing how marine scientists collect data on animals and the environments they inhabit. This course introduces students to the basics of using UAS in marine environments, presenting examples of existing and emerging applications, detailing the types of sensors used for marine applications, describes the sampling complexities of the marine environment, and provides and overview of typical workflows and data management. Details on regulatory and permitting requirements to fly UAS and legally and safely are also covered. The lab portion of the course will focus on basic aeronautics, flight planning and simulations, and the design, assembly, operation and maintenance of unoccupied aerial vehicles.
- Prerequisite: None
- Instructor: David Johnston
- Curriculum Code: NS, STS
- Block B
Social Science (SS) Courses in Block B
SOCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
ETHICS 305SA
This course will explore theoretical, methodological and applied aspects of social impact analysis (SIA). Many environmental professionals become involved in social impact analysis during their careers on a recurring basis. Forms of SIA are a mandated component of key oceans and environmental policies, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (National Standard 8). Moreover, sound social impact analysis is an important and powerful tool for good environmental planning in marine and coastal systems whether or not it is required by law, relates to government action, or is focused on the United States
Generally speaking, SIA addresses the social impacts of events or actions. The events or actions that precipitate an SIA include such things as planned physical or environmental changes, the implementation of policies or regulations, or conservation interventions. SIAs can be post hoc, where SIA seeks to understand the impacts of a past event, or ex ante, where SIA seeks to predict the impacts of an event. SIA can also be used to monitor and adapt to ongoing events and actions. In all cases, however, good SIA 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, from the socio-cultural to the economic.
This course will first develop an understanding of some of the core concepts and applicable sociological theory upon which the design of social impact analysis is built. The first part of the course will develop the capacity to ‘think sociologically’ about environmental problems and the impacts that they create. Next, we will review some of the key US policies and guidelines that require and inform SIA. The third part will provide an overview of some of the key methods and approaches that are used in SIA to generate more inclusive decisions that protect the environment and integrity of the communities that share its abundance and meaning. Throughout we will review and critique a range of US and international SIA examples.
- Instructor: Grant Murray
- Curriculum Codes: EI, SS
- Block B
Travel Courses in Block B
BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY – TRAVEL COURSE ON R/V SHEARWATER
MARSCI. BIOLOGY, ENVIRON 369LA, EOS 273LA
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.
- Recommended intro Bio or AP Bio credit.
- Instructor: Zackary Johnson
- Curriculum Codes: R, NS
- Block B
- View linked Travel Course Page for Costs and Policies: (will be updated for 2025 in October)
- Instructor consent required. Students interested in participating in the Biological Oceanography travel course are required to acknowledge and sign the statement of expectations for the course in the DUML Travel Course Qualtrics (link forthcoming) to receive a permission to enroll.
Block C
Projects in Electrical & Computer Engineering or Research Independent Study
ECE 292. Project arranged on a special topic by an instructor with related interests and expertise. For sophomore students. Consent of instructor and director of undergraduate studies required.
OR
Research Independent Study (registration through MARSCI, BIO, ENVIRON, or ECS)
Social Science (SS) Courses in Block C
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
ETHICS 504A
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. Students will engage with the course material primarily through group discussions, problem sets and lectures.
- Instructor: David Gill
- Curriculum Codes: EI, NS, SS
- Block C
URBAN TROPICAL ECOLOGY - TRAVEL COURSE TO SINGAPORE
BIOLOGY, MARSCI, ENVIRON 571A
The mix of human ecology, tropical diversity, disturbed habitats and invasive species in Singapore. How Singapore maintains and enhances the quality of life of its citizens while radically modifying its environment. Research on politics, management or biology.
- Instructors: Dan Rittschof, Tom Schultz
- Curriculum Codes: CCI, NS, SS, STS
- Block C
- View linked Travel Course Page for Costs and Policies: (will be updated for 2025 in October)
Travel Courses in Block C
URBAN TROPICAL ECOLOGY – TRAVEL COURSE TO SINGAPORE
BIOLOGY, MARSCI, ENVIRON 571A
The mix of human ecology, tropical diversity, disturbed habitats and invasive species in Singapore. How Singapore maintains and enhances the quality of life of its citizens while radically modifying its environment. Research on politics, management or biology.
- Instructors: Dan Rittschof, Tom Schultz
- Curriculum Codes: CCI, NS, SS, STS
- Block C
- View linked Travel Course Page for Costs and Policies: (will be updated for 2025 in October)
- Instructor consent required. Students interested in participating in the Urban Tropical Ecology course are required to respond to and acknowledge the statement of expectations for the course via the DUML Travel Course Qualtrics (link forthcoming) prior to receiving a permission number to enroll.
Block D
ECE 384LA: Marine Bioacoustics (R, STS, NS)
MARINE BIOACOUSTICS
ECE 384LA
Fundamentals of marine bioacoustics with a focus on current literature and conservation issues. Topics include: introduction to acoustics; acoustic analysis methods and quantitative tools; production and recording of sound; ocean noise; propagation theory; active and passive acoustics; hearing, sound production and communication in marine organisms, potential impacts of anthropogenic noise; and regulation of marine sound. Labs will focus on methodologies used for generating, recording and analyzing marine sounds.
- Prerequisite: AP Biology, introductory biology, or consent of instructor; Physics 141L, 151L, 161L (or equivalent Physics courses) or consent of instructor.
- Instructor: Doug Nowacek
- Curriculum Codes: R, STS, NS
- Block D
Social Science (SS) Courses in Block D
MARINE FISHERIES POLICY
MARSCI, ENVIRON 533A
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.
- Instructor: Barbara Garrity-Blake
- Curriculum Codes: EI, SS
- Block D
Travel Courses in Block D
BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF SEA TURTLES – TRAVEL COURSE TO ST. CROIX & PUERTO RICO
MARSCI, BIOLOGY, ENVIRON 375A-1
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.
- Instructor: Matthew Godfrey
- Curriculum Codes: NS, STS
- Block D
- View linked Travel Course Page for Costs and Policies: (will be updated for 2025 in October)
- Instructor consent required. Students interested in participating in the Sea Turtles travel course are required to acknowledge and sign the statement of expectations for the course in the DUML Travel Course Qualtrics (link forthcoming) to receive a permission to enroll.
Any Block
ECE 392: PROJECTS IN ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING. Project arranged on a special topic by an instructor with related interests and expertise. For junior students. Consent of instructor and director of undergraduate studies required.
How to Enroll
To enroll, please email Gwendy Womble (gwendolyn.womble@duke.edu) and specify that you are interested in enrolling in the Spring Engineering Semester.
All Duke students in good standing are able to study at the Duke Marine Lab at any point after completing the spring semester of the first year.
Duke students register for Marine Lab classes in Duke Hub during their assigned registration window. If permission numbers are required, please email Gwendy Womble, Marine Lab Registrar (gwendolyn.womble@duke.edu).
Life at the Duke Marine Lab
Check out these additional resources to learn about campus life and the undergraduate experience at the Duke Marine Lab:
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Take a Virtual Tour of the Duke Marine Lab
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Follow on Instagram
A Day in the MaRRS Lab
Maia, a Nicholas School master's student, took over on Instagram to share a glimpse of a day in the life of the Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing (MaRRS) Laboratory. She shares more about the Durham and Beaufort facilities, how they work together, and a little more about her research, as well as undergraduate research happening in the MaRRS Lab.
Duke's year-round coastal campus
Why Duke Marine Lab?
Find out why students—from all majors, not just marine science—choose to study at the Duke Marine Lab Campus for a summer, fall or spring semester.