<p>Anyone know how good this program is for an undergrad? How does it compare to other top environmental programs (eg Middlebury)?</p>
<p>Middlebury has an excellent Environmental Studies program, but to put it bluntly, Duke’s is better. It’s a bit like comparing engineering at Swarthmore to Caltech. Only Stanford and Yale can give Duke a run for its money in this area.</p>
<p>Academics
Duke has four options in the Nicholas School.
- BA Earth & Ocean Sciences
- BS Earth & Ocean Sciences
- BS Environmental Science
- BA Environmental Science & Policy </p>
<p>The different tracks allow you to pursue an academic path that is best suited to your interests and career goals. Earth & Ocean Sciences offers courses in geology, oceanography, paleontology, volcanology, etc. Environmental Science offers courses in energy policy, climate change, GIS, ecology, forestry, etc.</p>
<p>Facilities
The EOS department is housed in Old Chem, next to Perkins library on the main quad. It has labs, rock/fossil collections, and most equipment that you would need as an EOS major.</p>
<p>The Environmental Science department is housed in the [Levine</a> Science Research Center](<a href=“http://maps.oit.duke.edu/?x=340.93&y=-336.36&z=4&w=656&h=600&new.x=468&new.y=130]Levine”>http://maps.oit.duke.edu/?x=340.93&y=-336.36&z=4&w=656&h=600&new.x=468&new.y=130) on Science Drive, next to the physics and engineering buildings. The LSRC is HUGE, fairly new, and has extremely nice labs and workspaces. </p>
<p>Duke has one of the largest collection of plant samples in the US in its herbarium and has the largest collection of algae. For those interested in botany, the phytotron (greenhouse with different microclimates) is also of interest.</p>
<p>Duke’s [primate</a> center](<a href=“http://lemur.duke.edu/]primate”>http://lemur.duke.edu/) contains several species that are otherwise found only in Madagascar, including the extremely rare aye aye. Duke’s biological anthropology & anatomy program (now evolutionary anthropology) is centered around this amazing resource. </p>
<p>The [Duke</a> Forest](<a href=“http://www.env.duke.edu/forest/index.html]Duke”>http://www.env.duke.edu/forest/index.html), located right off campus near the Washington Duke, provides opportunities to do fieldwork in ecology and forestry. As I know, Duke is only one of two colleges to own over 8000 acres of forest (Berry College is the other). Thanks to the [Duke</a> Bikes](<a href=“http://parking.duke.edu/alternative_transportation/bicycling/duke_bikes/index.php]Duke”>http://parking.duke.edu/alternative_transportation/bicycling/duke_bikes/index.php) program, students can borrow bikes and camping equipment for free. </p>
<p>Duke’s most valuable resource, in my opinion, is its [Marine</a> Lab](<a href=“http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/]Marine”>Duke University Marine Lab | Nicholas School of the Environment). If you choose to concentrate in marine biology, you’re required to take at least 4 courses at the marine lab (1 semester or 2 summer sessions), so you obviously get plenty of exposure to hands on oceanography. Beaufort is pretty unique in its animal populations because NC is often the boundary for animal ranges; the lab gets both sub-tropical and temperate fauna. There are thriving populations of wild horses on nearby islands; they’re pretty popular with students. Beaufort was one of Rachel Carson’s favorite settings, and the wildlife preserve near the lab is named after her. The dorms are pretty nice, and there’s a library with a pretty extensive collection. The cook has been at the marine lab for a long time, and the food is GREAT. There are usually relatively few students at the marine lab (30 during the year, 60-80 during the summer), so you get a lot of faculty-student interaction. </p>
<p>Research and Off-campus Study
----Marine Lab
Most courses require field research. The Biological Oceanography class culminates in a research cruise where you collect data for your project, for example. In the spring, the lab offers a Beaufort-to-Bermuda program where you spend half a semester at Beaufort and half in Bermuda. The marine lab also offers programs in conservation in Hawaii, urban ecology in Singapore, and sea turtle conservation in Trinidad.</p>
<p>Recently Duke implemented the Rachel Carson Scholars program, which has resulted in the university bending over backwards in an effort to provide research opportunities and funding to interested students. In addition to faculty mentors and guided research, students are given money to present their research at conferences. </p>
<p>----Stanback Internships
The [Stanback</a> Internships](<a href=“http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/career/stanback2009/]Stanback”>http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/career/stanback2009/) are paid internships available specifically to Duke students in the field of earth/environmental science. I’ve had friends study turtle ecology in Florida, tornado chasing in Oklahoma, and water resources in Tanzania. Every year there are so many internships that most go unfilled. </p>
<p>----Dannenberg Awards
The [Dannenberg</a> Award](<a href=“http://undergraduateresearch.duke.edu/programs?id=12]Dannenberg”>http://undergraduateresearch.duke.edu/programs?id=12) is specifically intended for pre-major students (freshmen and first semester sophomores). This pairs you with a faculty mentor and provides grant money for a research project.</p>
<p>----DukeEngage
[DukeEngage[/url</a>] provides funded summer opportunities across the US and globe. </p>
<p>----Earth Day
Although not research, Earth Day at Duke is quite fun for an EOS/ENV major and looks good on a CV. In addition to activities set up by Duke students, the event draws over 40 vendors displaying smart cars, alternate energy sources, sustainably grown food, etc.</p>
<p>Environmental Science in Practice
Duke practices what it preaches. A lot of the food on campus is grown from sustainable practices, and students are provided free energy-efficient lightbulbs if requested. Duke annually ranks in the top 10 of the nationwide RecycleMania contest, and walking around campus you’ll see solar-powered trash compactors.</p>
<p>Duke has been recognized for its Green efforts by many organizations.
[url=<a href=“Your Domains”>Your Domains]Green</a> college spotlight: Duke University](<a href=“http://dukeengage.duke.edu/]DukeEngage[/url”>http://dukeengage.duke.edu/)</p>
<p>[10</a> of the Greenest Colleges in America - Colleges Going Green - thedailygreen.com](<a href=“http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/10-greenest-colleges-460708]10”>10 of the Greenest Colleges in America - Colleges Going Green)</p>
<p>[Sustainability</a> : Duke Scores Big on Green College Reviews / August 14, 2008](<a href=“http://www.duke.edu/web/ESC/news_events/items/2008_08_14GreenSchools.html]Sustainability”>http://www.duke.edu/web/ESC/news_events/items/2008_08_14GreenSchools.html)</p>
<p>That? Was a remarkable, extraordinarily helpful response. Thank you for taking the time.</p>
<p>I’ve attended both Duke and Middlebury, and I can say without a doubt the program at Middlebury is far superior to the program at Duke. PM me if you want to know more.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity (and putting your Duke bias aside), how do you think Emory’s environmental studies program compares to Duke’s? I’ve always believed that Emory’s environmental studies program was well-regarded.</p>