Marine Lab to Host New First-Year Experience

Participants will benefit from an immersive, tight-knit community

A closeup look at a person looking at some sea life

This is a summary of a story on Nicholas School of the Environment.

Prospective students applying for fall 2027 admission into the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences have a new First-Year Experience to consider: Duke Embark. Participants in the program will complete their inaugural fall semester at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, N.C., then transition to the Durham campus for the spring semester. 

Students can indicate their interest in Duke Embark during the current college admissions application cycle. 

“The Marine Lab excels in undergraduate education, and many upper-year students describe their experience with us as among their best at Duke. With Duke Embark, we are building on our strengths to welcome first-year students to the Marine Lab for the fall semester, in a program that will be unique in the country,” said Lisa Campbell, a professor of marine affairs and policy at the Marine Lab, part of the Nicholas School of the Environment.

Duke Embark features a First-Year Experience focused on environmental change and human well-being in coastal and marine systems. Students will take two core courses and can choose among electives in chemistry, biology, and marine science and conservation that each blend classroom learning in small-group settings with field immersion.

Beyond coursework, Duke Embark students will become part of the Marine Lab’s close-knit community of upper-year undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff. The Marine Lab also maintains strong ties with the surrounding Beaufort community. 

Although Duke Embark starts at the Marine Lab, participating students will be connected to main campus from the outset. For example, to prepare for the spring semester in Durham, Duke Embark students will take organized trips to the Durham campus, where they will get to know the campus and build relationships with peers.

When applying to Duke, prospective students should indicate their interest in Duke Embark in the Common Application supplement. Students will be able to apply to Duke Embark after they are admitted to Duke, at both Early and Regular Decision, while spaces are available.

Read the full story on Nicholas School of the Environment.