PhD in Environmental Science with a Concentration in Ecology and Conservation Biology

In this program students can elect to concentrate in Ecology and Conservation Biology within the Environmental Science PhD. Ecology is the scientific study of relationships between organisms and environments, and conservation biology is the study of Earth’s biodiversity with the mission of protecting species, habitats, and ecosystems. Students in this program must take five courses in ecology and conservation, such as Biol 5005 (Wildlife Ecology and Conservation), Biol 5040 (Advanced Ecology), Biol 5050 (Foundations of Ecological Theory), Biol 5051+5052 (Community Ecology), Biol 5260 (Principles of Evolution), Geog 5380 (Applied Paleozoology in Conservation), Geog 5960 (Ecosystem Science), Phil 5010 (Seminar in Philosophy of Ecology), Biol 5053/Phil 6780 (Subantarctic Biocultural Conservation). Classes taken for elective core-group credit (e.g., Ecosystem Science or Principles of Evolution) may additionally count in the concentration. Students entering the Ph.D. program immediately after a Bachelor’s degree are required to take a minimum of 72 hours of graduate-level course work (may be more depending on individual degree plans), while students entering the Ph.D. program after the Master’s Degree are required to take a minimum of 42 additional hours (may be more depending on individual degree plans).