Ecology - PhD

Our mission is to understand and provide solutions to the most challenging resource issues facing our planet. We explore systems on our planet through basic research and applied solutions. As such, we bring together natural and social sciences to propel North Carolina as a leader in local and global environmental research and innovation. We elevate research into understanding by investigating the diverse and interactive systems that regulate the environment, including consequences for humans and other organisms. We are committed to educating students to improve understanding for future generations.

The Environment, Ecology and Energy Program offers graduate degrees in Ecology at the M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. levels.  The Master of Science degree requires independent research and a thesis, while the Master of Arts degree requires a written literature review report.  Master’s students wishing to pursue a subsequent Ph.D. degree following completion of all requirements for the master’s degree must petition the Program to submit to the UNC Graduate School the ‘Permission to Continue Beyond the Master’ s Degree’ form. Students may elect to be admitted directly to the Ph.D. program, depending upon the recommendation of the Graduate Admissions Committee.