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 PhD in Ecology program is to develop students as scientists and policy makers with interdisciplinary problem-solving skills to address global challenges in the ecological sciences from local to global scales. Students in the PhD program engage in independent and collaborative research guided by advisors in the program.
Program Learning Objectives
Students who earn a Ph.D. must demonstrate significant intellectual achievement, scholarly ability, and breadth of knowledge. Successful students in this Ph.D. program demonstrate the following:
- Mastery of concepts and principles of ecology and working knowledge of relevant basic biology and quantitative methods, achieved through required and elective coursework;
- Ability to critically review and interpret scientific information and originality in integrating that information to design ecological research. This is assessed through the research proposal and written and oral components of the Ph.D. preliminary examination;
- Understanding and practice of research ethics, collaborative approaches, and broader issues related to social responsibility through coursework and research projects;
- Proficiency in (1) written communication shown in the research proposal, dissertation and, ideally, peer-reviewed research articles and (2) oral communication shown in presentations at professional conferences or in the classroom, and the dissertation seminar.
Institutional Learning Objectives
These Program Learning Objectives relate to the CSU's Institutional Learning Objectives (Reasoning, Communication, Responsibility and Creativity) in several ways:
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The first learning objective, focused mastery of concepts and principles of ecology gained through required and elective courses, develops Reasoning, Communication and Responsibility. For example, coursework 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Finally, the fourth learning objective, focuses on Communication, both written and oral.
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.
Effective Fall 2024
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMMON CORE COURSES | ||
| ECOL 505 | Foundations of Ecology | 3 |
| ECOL 571 | Advanced Topics in Ecology 1 | 2 |
| ECOL 592 | Interdisciplinary Seminar in Ecology 1 | 2 |
| ECOLOGICAL SUBDISCIPLINES | ||
| Take a minimum of 6 credits not taken elsewhere in the program from courses in a subdiscipline of ecology. Students are encouraged to explore options across departments. Example courses include the following: | 6 | |
| Paleoecology | ||
| Evolutionary Ecology | ||
| Behavioral and Cognitive Ecology | ||
| Theory of Population and Evolutionary Ecology | ||
| Community Ecology | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology | ||
| Applications in Landscape Ecology | ||
| Biogeochemical Cycling in Ecosystems | ||
| Advanced Forest Ecology | ||
| Fish and Wildlife Population Dynamics | ||
| 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 | |
| Ecological and Social Agent-based Modeling | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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: | 1 | |
| Teaching and Communicating Science | ||
| Research Seminar | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Ethical Conduct of Research | ||
| DISSERTATION | 1 | |
| Take a minimum of one credit: | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| ELECTIVES | 54 | |
| Additional relevant coursework, including research and dissesrtation credits, as determined by student and committee to meet the minimum Graduate School Credit Requirements of 72 credits total. Students are encouraged to explore options across departments and programs. | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 72 | |
A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
Take two semesters; minimum 2 credits total to graduate.
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 |