Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB)
The MS and PhD programs in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology seek to provide 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.
Applicants should refer to the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Faculty page for more information on faculty research interests, which include:
- aquatic ecology
- terrestrial ecology
- microbial ecology
- evolutionary biology
- genomics
- plant ecology
- biogeochemistry
- community ecology
EEB Program Requirements
MS students must complete a minimum of 32 hours of graduate course work; including a minimum of 14 credit hours of formal graduate course work and 6 credit hours of Thesis I.
PhD students must complete a minimum 60 credit hours beyond the master’s degree or 90 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree; including a minimum of 20 credit hours of formal graduate course work and 30 credit hours of Dissertation I.
See below for access to EEB required and elective courses:
Students should enroll in required courses as well as additional courses that provide necessary skills for completion of research projects and that will be beneficial for their professional development. All students must complete the required online Laboratory Safety Training. Students with coursework deficits in curricula of prior degrees should enroll in appropriate graduate-level courses.
* NO MORE APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS ARE BEING OFFERED FOR FALL 2024 ADMISSION. *
Click here to apply to our MS/PhD programs
EEB Timelines
MS Timeline
- Semester 1: Form faculty guidance committee
- End of Semester 1: Create a program of study to define required coursework
- End of Semester 2: Generate a research proposal
- End of year 2: Complete all required coursework
- Final Semester (average 2 years):
- Complete Thesis
- Give Department seminar (30-minute)
- Pass final oral defense
PhD Timeline
- Semester 1: Form faculty guidance committee
- End of Semester 1: Create a program of study to define required coursework.
- End of year 2: Complete all required coursework & take candidacy examination
- End of year 3: Complete prospectus
- Final Semester (average 5 years):
- Complete Dissertation
- Give Department seminar (45-minute)
- Pass final oral defense