Marine Biology

Marine biology is not a separate discipline in biology. It is the application of different specialties in biology to the study of the particular organisms which live in the marine environment. It requires an understanding of the unique characteristics of the sea and its inhabitants and the particular adaptations and special relationships of those organisms to that environment. Biology 157, Dynamic Oceans, is suggested as an entry level course, but is not required and won't count towards a Biology major. Students concentrating in marine biology are required to take four (4) course credits at the Duke University Marine Laboratory (not including Physics). Selection of the courses depends upon student interests and one of the courses may be an independent study.

Students fulfilling the requirements of the Concentration in Marine Biology will receive a note on their official transcript.

Area Advisor

Area Advisor Area Faculty
Dr. Dan Rittschof , Department of Biology, Duke University Marine Lab, Beaufort, NC
phone: 252-504-7634 e-mail: ritt@duke.edu		 Diaz, Forward, Hunt, Kirby-Smith, Johnson, Johnston, Nowacek, Read, Rittschof, Schultz, Silliman, Van Dover
Note: These faculty all are in residence at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, NC, appx 180 miles from the main campus in Durham.

Pre/Corequisites

Chemistry

For B.S. Degree For B.A. Degree
  • CHEM 101DL Core Concepts in Chemistry OR
  • CHEM 110DL Honors Chemistry: Core Concepts in context OR
  • CHEM 21 General Chemistry Credit
  • CHEM 101DL Core Concepts in Chemistry OR
  • CHEM 110DL Honors Chemistry: Core Concepts in context OR
  • CHEM 21 General Chemistry Credit
  • CHEM201DL Organic Chemistry
  

NOTE: CHEM 210DL and CHEM 202L are recommended for pre-med, pre-vet, biochem and pharm students.

Math

For B.S. Degree For B.A. Degree
  • MATH 111L Laboratory Calculus I OR
  • MATH 121 Introductory Calculus I OR
  • MATH 21 Introductory Calculus I OR
  • BOTH MATH 105L/106L Laboratory Calculus and Functions I and II
  • BOTH MATH 105L/106L Laboratory Calculus and Functions I and II OR
  • MATH 111L Laboratory Calculus I (OR Math 21 or 112L or 122) OR
  • STA 102 Introductory Biostatistics  OR
  • BIOLOGY 304 (204) Biological Data Analysis (cannot be double counted as an elective) OR
  • STA 101 or above Data Analysis/Statistical Inference
  • MATH 112L Laboratory Calculus II OR
  • MATH 122 Introductory Calculus II OR
  • MATH 22 Introductory Calculus II OR
  • STA 101 or above OR
  • BIOLOGY 304 Biological Data Analysis (cannot also count as an elective)

 

Physics

For B.S. Degree For B.A. Degree
  • PHYSICS 121L/141L General Physics I OR
  • PHYSICS 151L Introductory Mechanics OR
  • PHYSICS 161D Fundamentals of Physics I OR
  • PHYSICS 25 (AP credit)
  • No physics required

NOTE: PHYSICS 122L/142L is recommended for pre-med, pre-vet, biochem and pharm students.

Biology Major Requirements (minimum 10 Courses)

The following courses are required for students pursuing both the B.S. and B.A. biology credentials.

Gateway Courses (2 or 1 courses)

The gateways are not sequenced and can be taken in either order.

  • BIOLOGY 201L Molecular Biology (prerequisite: Chem 101D or equivalent)
  • BIOLOGY 202L Genetics & Evolution

OR

  • BIOLOGY 203L Molecular Biology, Genetics & Evolution (prerequisite: Biology AP 5 and Chem 101D or equivalent)

Biology Area Requirements (3 courses)

Select 1 course from EACH of the following three areas. Courses listed in more than one area may only be used to meet one area requirement.

Electives (5 or 6 courses)

  • At least 3 courses must be listed or cross listed in Biology at the 200-level or above.
  • A maximum of 2 independent studies or tutorials may count toward the major.
  • A maximum of 2 approved alternate elective courses may count toward the major (if using Bio 201L/202L) OR 3 biology elective or approved alternate elective courses (if using Bio 203L)

At least (4) course credits must be courses taken from this list at the Duke Marine Laboratory:

  • BIOLOGY 201LA Gateway to Biology: Molecular Biology
  • BIOLOGY 270A Conservation Biology and Policy
  • BIOLOGY 272A Analysis of Ocean Ecosystems
  • BIOLOGY 273LA Marine Ecology
  • BIOLOGY 278LA Comparative Physiology of Marine Animals
  • BIOLOGY 279LA Sound in the Sea: Introduction to Marine Bioacoustics
  • BIOLOGY 293A Research Independent Study
  • BIOLOGY 308A/309A Oceans and Health
  • BIOLOGY 319A Coastal Watershed Science and Policy
  • BIOLOGY 335A Drones in Marine Biology, Ecology, and Conservation
  • BIOLOGY 369LA Biological Oceanography
  • BIOLOGY 373LA Sensory Physiology and Behavior of Marine Animals
  • BIOLOGY 375(L)A Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles
  • BIOLOGY 376(L)A Marine Mammals
  • BIOLOGY 377LA Marine Invertebrate Zoology
  • BIOLOGY 490TA Tutorial (Topics)
  • BIOLOGY 493A Research Independent Study
  • BIOLOGY 570LA-1 Experimental Tropical Marine Ecology
  • BIOLOGY 571A Sojourn in Singapore: Urban Tropical Ecology

Lab Experience Requirement

From the area and elective courses, you must take at least 2 full lab courses in addition to the gateway courses. Courses must be at the 200 level or above. No more than one independent study course may count towards the lab experience requirement.

Capstone Course Requirement

You must take at least 1 full 400-level or higher biology 'Capstone' course or other approved capstone course. Independent study can count towards this requirement if it is a second semester continuation.