University General Course Catalog 2012-2013 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2012-2013 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, Ph.D.


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147 Fleischmann Agriculture
(775) 784-4439

The Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology program is a research-based interdisciplinary graduate program leading to a doctor of philosophy degree. The program consists of faculty from the College of Science, College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, and the Desert Research Institute.

Students examine the ecology, evolution and conservation biology of organisms of the Great Basin and the Sierra Nevada as well as threatened and endangered lifeforms in various parts of the world. They investigate a broad range of biological techniques, studying individuals, populations, species, communities and ecosystems.

Students who seek admission to the program should have a cumulative gradepoint average of 3.0, a combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of 1,200 (a TOEFL score of 600 for international students) and should have completed the following course requirements: 24 credits of biology (including genetics, evolution and ecology), six credits of physical sciences (including organic chemistry or biochemistry), six credits of university mathematics including calculus and three credits of statistics or equivalent evidence of ability to succeed in a Ph.D. program.

Candidates for the doctoral degree must satisfy all the general requirements of the Graduate School and complete a minimum of 72 credits, which include the following: 24 credits of research and dissertation, 18 credits of electives, 1 credit of which will be comprehensive examination, 16 credits of lecture courses, 12 credits of core curriculum and two credits of seminar. The comprehensive examination may not be used to fulfill the required 30 credits of 700-level course work.

I. Required Core Curriculum


II. Additional Requirements


A. Qualifying Exam


Students enrolled in the program will be required to pass a qualifying exam. To qualify, they must post a minimum score of 680 on the GRE advanced test in biology or subscores of 70 in population biology, 70 in organismal biology and 62 in cellular and subcellular biology. Students with unsatisfactory scores in any of the three study areas must complete an undergraduate biology course in that area with a grade of B or better.

B. Comprehensive Exam


In addition, students will be required to pass a comprehensive written and oral examination. After the written examination is completed, the student’s oral exam will be conducted by the student’s advisory/examining committee.

C. Teaching and Research


Students spend a minimum of two semesters teaching an undergraduate laboratory or lecture course, and complete a rigorous program that includes the writing of a dissertation.

Note(s):


Graduate fellowships for the Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology program are available on a competitive basis.

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