Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - PhD

The Department of Biological Sciences offers graduate training in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology that lead to Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. Individualized coursework provides students with a foundation in theory, experimental design, and the technical knowledge necessary to study ecology and evolution at all levels of biological organization. Students, in collaboration with faculty, develop expertise in a specialization of his or her choice, culminating in a thesis or dissertation based on original research. 

Faculty expertise spans a wide variety of fields, with particular strengths in aquatic and terrestrial ecology, microbial ecology,evolutionary biology and genomics. Interested students should refer to the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Faculty and departmental research pages for more information.

PhD students in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program are required to take the following four (4) core courses: Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics, Evolutionary Biology, Populations and Communities, Communities and Ecosystems.  Masters students in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program must take three (3) of these core courses. All students must also take at least one statistics course, pre-candidacy PhD and all MS students must take Seminar each semester, and all are required to take Responsible Conduct in Research and Teaching.

The Ph.D. degree in Biological Sciences—Ecology and Evolutionary Biology provides opportunities to study in areas such as animal behavior, entomology, limnology, microbial ecology, ornithology, systems ecology, systematic and evolutionary biology, environmental physiology, vertebrate ecology and population and community ecology. Although courses of study are tailored to students’ interests and needs, the program for all students normally includes training in population, community, ecosystems and evolutionary ecology and statistical theory. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of ecology, students are encouraged to take courses in geology, mathematics, chemistry and other disciplines.