The Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences at Duke University has established a new Ph.D. program in Marine Science and Conservation.
The program will offer doctoral degrees in two concentrations: marine biology and marine conservation biology and policy. The concentration in marine biology is designed to prepare students for careers in university teaching and research. The concentration in marine conservation biology and policy ensures that students receive detailed training in either natural or social science, and will prepare them for careers either in university teaching or research, or outside of the university in the application of science to policy-making.
"This new Ph.D. program will allow us to build on our emerging strengths in marine conservation while retaining our traditional strengths in marine biology," said Cindy L. Van Dover, chair of the Nicholas School's Division of Marine Science and Conservation and director of the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, N.C.
Andrew J. Read, Rachel Carson Associate Professor of Marine Conservation Biology and the division's Director of Graduate Studies, will coordinate the new Ph.D. program.
In other business, the trustees approved several building projects. They included:
-- construction of a new 1,900-space parking garage at the southeast corner of Erwin Road and Research Drive, adjacent to the Duke Eye Center.
-- improvements to Wallace Wade Stadium, including the construction of a new scoreboard, and adding restrooms and a concession building.
-- renovations to the Few Quad residence halls, including renewed and relocated commons rooms, infrastructure work and the addition of a complete fire-protection system.
-- renovations to the Nanaline Duke Building on Research Drive, the Medical Center Library and the Teer Engineering Library Building. Approval also was given to renovating the Smith Building on South Buchanan Boulevard to provide work and support space and offices for Perkins Library's technical staff.
-- expansion of the Duke Clinical Research Unit in the Duke Clinics Building on West Campus and the Cord Blood Bank on Pratt Street.