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. Students concentrating in marine biology are required to take four (4) Biology course credits at the Duke University Marine Laboratory. Selection of the courses depends upon student interests and one of the courses may be an independent study. Please reach out to Dr. Tom Schultz if you are interested in the Marine Biology concentration and have questions about the requirements. 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. Tom Schultz, Duke University Marine Lab, Beaufort, NC | Dunphy-Daly, Hunt, Johnson, Johnston, Nowacek, Osterberg, Read, Rittschof, Schultz, Silliman, Wong. Note: Many of 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
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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 |
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Physics
| For B.S. Degree | For B.A. Degree |
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NOTE: PHYSICS 122L or equivalent 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.
- 1 course - Organismal Diversity
- 1 course - Biological Structure & Function
- 1 course - Ecology
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 273LA Marine Ecology
- BIOLOGY 278LA Comparative Physiology of Marine Animals
- BIOLOGY 279LA Sound in the Sea: Introduction to Marine Bioacoustics
- BIOLOGY 308A/309A Oceans and Health
- BIOLOGY 319A Coastal Watershed Management & Restoration
- 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 571A Sojourn in Singapore: Urban Tropical Ecology
- Marsci 393A, Independent Study, with approval of the Associate DUS of Biology
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.