Graduate Degree Program in Ecology
Ruth Hufbauer, Director
Johnson Hall 102
Phone: 970-491-4373
ecology.colostate.edu
The Graduate Degree Program in Ecology (GDPE) offers outstanding opportunities for graduate studies ecology. The overall objective of the M.S. in Ecology is to develop students to be science professionals who use their interdisciplinary problem-solving skills to address ecological challenges from local to global scales. Students enrolled in the Plan A (thesis option) program are engaged in independent and collaborative research guided by advisors in the program and aim to have their thesis work published in the peer-reviewed literature. The Plan B option provides a non-thesis alternative available upon special request.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin or visit the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology website for more information.
Program Learning Objectives
The GDPE offers a thesis-based M.S. program (Plan A) that enables graduates to continue their education at the Ph.D. level or to seek employment in a wide range of careers including state and federal positions, non-profit organizations and environmental consulting.
The GDPE also offers a professional M.S. program (Plan B). This non-thesis-based degree focuses on coursework and a professional paper.
Successful graduates of the MS program demonstrate the following:
- Broad knowledge of the fundamental areas of ecology as well as relevant basic biology and quantitative methods, achieved through required and elective coursework;
- Ability to discriminate important and relevant ideas and facts and to place their work in a wide ecological context that incorporates diverse viewpoints;
- Understanding and practice of research ethics, collaborative approaches, and broader issues related to social responsibility through coursework and research projects;
- Proficiency in written communication as shown in the research proposal and thesis (Plan A), the professional paper (Plan B), and in oral communication as shown in presentations.
Institutional Learning Objectives
These Program Learning Objectives relate to the Institutional Learning Objectives (Reasoning, Communication, Responsibility and Creativity) in several ways:
- The first learning objective, focused on required and elective courses, develops Reasoning, Communication and Responsibility. For example, coursework addresses fosters analytic skills and the ability to ask effective questions, and using new knowledge or integrating across knowledge bases to develop innovative solutions to address societal challenges, as well as communicating scientific understanding.
- The second learning objective, focused on understanding different ideas and diverse viewpoints, relates to Creativity, Reasoning, and Responsibility. For example, placing work into broad context includes development and application of logic, and understanding the diversity of human experiences.
- The third learning objective, focused on Ethics and Collaboration, directly supports Reasoning, Responsibility and Collaboration, supporting student development on key aspects of working ethically within and for our diverse society.
- Finally, the fourth learning objective, focuses on Communication, both written and oral.
Effective Fall 2024
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMMON CORE COURSES | ||
| ECOL 505 | Foundations of Ecology | 3 |
| ECOL 571 | Advanced Topics in Ecology | 1 |
| ECOL 592 | Interdisciplinary Seminar in Ecology | 1 |
| ECOLOGICAL SUBDISCIPLINES | ||
| Take a minimum of 3 credits not taken elsewhere in the program from courses in a subdiscipline of ecology. Students are encouraged to explore options across departments. Example courses offered by Ecology include the following: | 3 | |
| Community Ecology | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology | ||
| Applications in Landscape Ecology | ||
| ECOLOGICAL TOOLS | ||
| Take a minimum of 3 credits of any ecologically-relevant quantitative or qualitative course, as determined by student and committee. Students are encouraged to explore options across departments. Example courses include the following: | 3 | |
| Models for Ecological Data | ||
| Sampling & Analysis Vertebrate Populations | ||
| Hierarchical Modeling in Ecology | ||
| Remote Sensing and Image Analysis | ||
| Concepts in GIS | ||
| Spatial Statistical Modeling-Natural Resources | ||
| Quantitative Spatial Analysis | ||
| Seminar in Methods of Qualitative Analysis | ||
| Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I | ||
| Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II | ||
| PROFESSIONAL SKILLS | 1 | |
| Take a minimum of 1 credit of a course (or workshop such as through TILT or the Graduate School combined with a credit of Independent Study (ECOL 695) that will enhance the student’s professional development and/or skills based on professional goals, as determined by student and committee. Students are encouraged to explore options across departments and programs. Example courses include the following: | ||
| Teaching and Communicating Science | ||
| Research Seminar | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Ethical Conduct of Research | ||
| THESIS | 1 | |
| Take a minimum of 1 credit. | ||
| Thesis | ||
| ELECTIVES | 17 | |
| Additional relevant coursework and credits as determined by student and committee to meet the minimum Graduate School Credit Requirements of 15 credits "Regular" coursework and 30 credits total. Students are encouraged to explore options across departments and programs. | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 30 | |
A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.
Effective Fall 2023
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
| ECOL 505 | Foundations of Ecology | 3 |
| ECOL 571 | Advanced Topics in Ecology | 1 |
| ECOL 592 | Interdisciplinary Seminar in Ecology | 1 |
| ECOL 693 | Research Seminar | 1 |
| ECOLOGY FUNDAMENTALS | ||
| Select 6 credits not taken elsewhere in the program from the following: | 6 | |
| Human-Environment Interactions | ||
| Advanced Conservation & Evolutionary Genomics | ||
| Evolutionary Ecology | ||
| Behavioral and Cognitive Ecology | ||
| Theory of Population and Evolutionary Ecology | ||
| Community Ecology | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology | ||
| Applications in Landscape Ecology | ||
| Models for Ecological Data | ||
| Biogeochemical Cycling in Ecosystems | ||
| Wildlife Population Dynamics | ||
| Advanced Environmental Plant Stress Physiology | ||
| ECOLOGY TOOLS | ||
| Select 3 credits not taken elsewhere in the program from the following: | 3 | |
| Ecological and Social Agent-based Modeling | ||
| Applied Econometrics | ||
| Econometric Theory I | ||
| Econometric Theory II | ||
| Niche Models | ||
| Modeling Watershed Hydrology | ||
| Models for Ecological Data | ||
| Design of Fish and Wildlife Studies | ||
| Applied Sampling for Wildlife/Fish Studies | ||
| Sampling & Analysis Vertebrate Populations | ||
| Hierarchical Modeling in Ecology | ||
| Remote Sensing and Image Analysis | ||
| Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers | ||
| Dynamical Systems | ||
| Concepts in GIS | ||
| GIS Methods for Resource Management | ||
| Spatial Statistical Modeling-Natural Resources | ||
| Quantitative Spatial Analysis | ||
| Applied Multivariate Analysis | ||
| Micrometeorology | ||
| Modeling Ecosystem Biogeochemistry | ||
| Terrestrial Ecosystems Isotope Ecology | ||
| Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I | ||
| Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II | ||
| Introduction to Probability Theory | ||
| Stochastic Processes I | ||
| Mathematical Statistics | ||
| Data Analysis and Regression | ||
| Biostatistical Methods for Quantitative Data | ||
| Applied Multivariate Analysis | ||
| Topics in Statistical Methods: Sampling | ||
| Data Issues in Hydrology | ||
| ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES, AND INDEPENDENT STUDY | 15 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 30 | |
A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |