Biology of Marine Mammals (BIO126/ENV 226)
This is an introduction to the biology of cetaceans, pinnipeds, sirenians and sea otters. Topics covered include behavior, ecology and conservation biology of marine mammals. Biology of Marine Mammals is offered as a lecture course in the fall term and as an intensive field course during the second summer term (usually taken in conjunction with Conservation Biology and Policy - see below). In the summer field course, approximately half of our time is spent in the field or lab; the remainder is comprised of lecture or class discussion. Field and lab projects concentrate on the local population of bottlenose dolphins. The fall lecture course is taught by Andy Read; the summer field course is led by Andy Read, Dave Johnston and other marine mammal scientists.

Conservation Biology and Policy (BIO 109/ENV 209)
Conservation Biology and Policy is an interdisciplinary introduction to the conservation of marine and terrestrial biodiversity. The first section of the course explores the origins of biodiversity and the ecological mechanisms of biodiversity loss at the genetic, species, and ecosystems level. We then investigate the theory and the practice of biodiversity conservation, using socioeconomic, institutional, and ecological frameworks to examine the merits of various conservation strategies. Lectures and discussion sections emphasize interdisciplinary scientific analysis and problem solving, and use marine examples where possible. The course is offered during the second summer term, taught by Larry Crowder, together with distinguished conservation scholars who supplement regular course material with weekly lectures.

Marine Conservation Biology (ENV 324)
This course is taught by Andy Read and Dave Johnston in the spring term.  The class is taught primarily in Hawaii, where we examine the threats to marine biodiversity caused by fishing, coastal development and other human activities.  In January 2008, the class spent 10 days on Midway Atoll, experiencing first-hand the challenges of managing the newly proclaimed Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.  To view more information on this class, including past student blogs from Hawaii, see: http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/hawaii/ and http://www.marineresearch.ca/hawaii/