Application Process

MORE INFORMATION (dates and deadlines) TO COME!

The Duke University Marine Laboratory is offering an unparalleled educational opportunity from July 7 to August 8, 2008. Duke's Integrated Marine Conservation Program teaches the principles necessary for the conservation and preservation of the coastal and oceanic environment. The focus is on interdisciplinary problem solving--using natural and social science theory to resolve real world environmental problems. This program is a tremendous opportunity for students at any level to think about conservation biology and policy in an environment full of students and faculty grappling with the same issues. The core class (BIO 109/ENV 209 Conservation Biology and Policy) involves field trips, discussion groups, role play (in 2005 it was a fishery management scenario), lecture, and a final project for graduate students that focuses on the integration of science and policy. Undergraduate students will have a case-study based final exam. Students will leave the class with an appreciation of the policy process, as well as with grounding in the fundamentals of marine conservation. There may be no other course, anywhere, that can offer as much in an intensive 5-week summer session.

In addition to the class work, the session hosts a Distinguished Conservation Scholar each week to give a lecture, to lead discussions, and to be available to meet with students on an individual basis. Speakers in the past have included such scientists as Jane Lubchenco, Jeremy Jackson, Ram Myers, Carl Safina, Jim Estes, and Kai Lee, Jack Musick, Karen Bjorndal and non-scientists such as Pulitzer Prize-winning environmental reporter John McQuaid.

A final and critical dimension to the class comes from the presence of international students, who often have first-hand knowledge of conservation battles and have worked to influence environmental policy. Past international participants have included 69 students from 40 different countries. In any particular year, we expect 5-15 international fellows. Interaction with these individuals does much to foster awareness of the difficulty of implementing conservation at the ground level.

Participants in the Integrated Marine Conservation Program usually enroll in the program's 'core' course (Conservation Biology and Policy) and one of five specialized elective courses offered (Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles; Marine Mammals; Marine Ecology; Marine Invertebrate Zoology; and Independent Research). Enrollment in any one course is also possible. Applications for the Integrated Marine Conservation Program will be accepted until the program is full.

Approximately ten Global Fellowships in Marine Conservation will be awarded on a competitive basis to international students, especially those from developing countries, and will fully cover travel expenses, room and board, and tuition for both BIO 109/ENV 209 Conservation Biology and Policy plus one specialized elective course subject to availability. Electives include: Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles; Marine Mammals; Marine Ecology; Marine Invertebrate Zoology; and Independent Research. The Global Fellows in Marine Conservation application credentials are due February 15. See http://www.env.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/scholarship.html

Additionally, a grant from Panaphil Foundation allows the Duke Marine Laboratory to offer two tuition scholarships to U.S. citizens (applications due April 1) and four Global Fellowships in Marine Conservation to international students choosing Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles as their second course (applications due February 15).

Duke University Marine Lab summer tuition scholarships are awarded to either U.S. or non-U.S. citizens on a competitive basis and cover full tuition for any one course in Term II. These summer tuition scholarship applications are due April 1st.

For further information, visit
http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/summer2.html
or contact ml_admissions@env.duke.edu; (252) 504-7502.

Ms. Helen Nearing, Coordinator of Academic Programs
Duke Marine Lab; 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd; Beaufort NC 28516
phone (252) 504-7502; fax (252) 504-7648
www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab