Ecology - MS, PhD

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have strong backgrounds in biology, and they should also have some understanding of geology, soils, meteorology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and statistics. Accordingly, incoming students who lack coursework in these areas may be asked to make up deficiencies in addition to the course of study required for their graduate degrees.

To be accepted to the program, it is recommended that applicants first contact a specific faculty member with whom they are interested in working. If the faculty member is accepting graduate students and agrees to work with the student, the student can then apply by completing the following application requirements:

Application Requirements:

• Complete the online application
• Pay the $55 application fee
• Score at or above the 40th percentile on the GRE (Plants, Soils, and Climate applicants only)
• Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
• Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
• Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation

International students have additional admissions requirements.

Deadlines

Biology:

• The Department of Biology considers applications on a year-round basis. Applications received for fall semester by February 15 will be considered for all financial awards available. Applications received after that date will be considered for the limited amount of financial awards available at the time.

Environment and Society:

• Fall semester – February 15
• The degree programs in the Department of Environment and Society have rolling admission, meaning the department will continue to consider and accept applications until the program is full. The time it takes to process an application is primarily dependent on the speed with which the School of Graduate Studies receives letters of recommendation, transcripts, and test scores. For most students, this process may take six to eight weeks. Applicants should plan accordingly.

Plants, Soils, and Climate:

• Applications for graduate programs are accepted year-round. However, chances for acceptance are best if students apply between October and January of each academic year. It is also encouraged that students begin in the fall if possible.

Watershed Science:

• Fall semester – June 15
• Spring semester – October 15
• Summer semester – March 15
• Preference for financial assistance will be given to applicants who apply before January 10.

Wildland Resources:

• Applications for graduate programs are accepted year-round. However, chances for acceptance are best if students apply between October and January of each academic year. It is also encouraged that students begin in the fall if possible.

Program Requirements

Qualifying Exams:

Biology:

• All PhD students must pass a comprehensive exam, usually taken in their second year. The student's graduate committee sets the material of the exam, which consists of a written and an oral component.
• All master's students must pass a comprehensive exam with either a written or an oral component, set by their graduate committee. This exam usually takes place when the student has completed a year and a half in the program.

Environment and Society:

• PhD students must pass a comprehensive exam after completing their coursework and before submitting their dissertation. The exam will have a written and an oral component based on the student's area of research.

Plants, Soils, and Climate:

• Each student must undergo some sort of qualifying experience. Depending on the student's particular research and their faculty committee, the exam can either be a traditional oral and written exam, a scholarly proposal, or another option best suited to the student's individual situation.

Watershed Science:

• All PhD students must pass a comprehensive exam. Students take these exams typically the second or third year after most of their coursework is completed. They take a written exam set by their graduate committee, which is usually followed by an oral component where the committee can pose questions to the student regarding the written exam.

Wildland Resources:

• PhD students must pass comprehensive examinations. This exam is used to assess whether a student is prepared to successfully conduct independent research. The assessment depends upon the student's knowledge in his or her area of emphasis and in supporting areas, understanding of philosophical perspectives on scholarship, and ability to communicate this knowledge effectively. It is recommended that the comprehensive exam be taken by the end of the student's second academic year, and it must be passed no later than one year prior to defending the dissertation and before candidacy will be recommended.

Financial Aid

Most students are funded by research assistantships from their major professors. Additionally, the Ecology Center awards assistantships to qualified PhD students who are otherwise without financial support.

The Ecology Center also provides research support awards for both master’s and doctoral students on a competitive basis. Students can receive up to $5,000 through these awards to purchase research supplies, for travel costs, and other research expenses. In order to be considered, students must submit a detailed proposal, including their research objectives and a budget describing how funds would be used.

A variety of funding opportunities are available on the graduate school website.