Introduction
All curricular requirements are aimed at preparing students for timely and successful completion of a doctoral dissertation. The Ph.D. curriculum in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) includes six stages: 1) required coursework, 2) the comprehensive examination, 3) the qualifying examination, 4) two quarters of teaching experience, 5) submission of at least one paper for publication, 6) the research, writing, and defense of the dissertation.
Advancement to Candidacy
Course Requirements
Core Courses
Ph.D. students must take BIOE 200A and BIOE 200B in the fall of the first year, and BIOE 279 in the winter of the first year. Two quarters of BIOE 203 are taken in the winter and spring of the first year. In addition, two quarters of BIOE 215 (formerly BIOE 295) or two additional quarters of BIOE 203 should be completed by the end of the second year.
| BIOE 200A | Scientific Skills | 5 |
| BIOE 200B | Advanced Organismal Biology | 5 |
| BIOE 203 | Introductory Seminar in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
| BIOE 279 | Evolutionary Ecology | 5 |
| BIOE 139 | Mathematical Modeling and Data Science in Ecology and Evolution | 5 |
BIOE 215 (formerly BIOE 295): may be substituted with additional BIOE 203
The following courses must be taken every quarter the student is in residence.
All students must be enrolled in at least 15 credits per quarter, unless on approved part-time status.
BIOE 297 or BIOE 299 is required, not both. BIOE 297 is taken until the student advances to candidacy. BIOE 299 is taken after the student advances to candidacy.
Elective Courses
| BIOE 208 | Marine Ecology | 5 |
| BIOE 245 | Plant Ecology | 5 |
| BIOE 245L | Field Methods in Plant Ecology Laboratory | 5 |
| BIOE 247 | Community Ecology | 5 |
| BIOE 239 | Mathematical Modeling and Data Science in Ecology and Evolution | 5 |
| BIOE 238 | Modeling Evolution and Ecology | 5 |
| BIOE 258L | Experimental Marine Ecology | 5 |
| BIOE 262
/CSP 245
| Facilitating Change in Coastal Science Policy | 5 |
| BIOE 271 | Disciplinary Communication for Biologists | 5 |
| BIOE 272 | Population Genetics | 5 |
| BIOE 272L | Population Genetics Laboratory | 2 |
Teaching Requirement
Each Ph.D. student should expect to complete at least two quarters as a teaching assistant during their graduate career.
Pre-Qualifying Requirements
The comprehensive examination is completed in the fall of the second year. This is a two-part examination, written and oral, the goal of which is to examine the student’s breadth and depth of knowledge of evolution, ecology, organismal biology (including physiology and behavior), and general biology. In both the written and oral examinations, the expected level of knowledge of basic biology ranges from introductory level in fields most removed from the student’s focus area to a more substantial and advanced level in fields closer to the student’s focus area.
Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination follows the comprehensive examination and is completed no later than the third year. The goal of this two-part examination is to establish the student’s proposed dissertation project. Students submit a dissertation research proposal to their qualifying exam committee and defend it in an oral examination. The proposal should be submitted no less than ten days before the oral defense. The proposal defense must be completed by the spring quarter of the third year and be followed by a departmental seminar on the student’s research proposal. Students advance to candidacy after having completed all required coursework, the comprehensive examination, and the qualifying examination.
Dissertation
Dissertation
Within EEB, a dissertation usually contains three or four chapters that comprise original research, each of which is substantial enough to be published in a scientific journal, plus a short introduction and a conclusion/synthesis. The conclusion synthesizes the results of the dissertation as a whole, reflects on how novel insights come from the whole body of work, and may point the reader toward future research directions.
At least one chapter of the dissertation must be submitted to a refereed journal for publication as a final program requirement before receipt of the Ph.D.
Dissertation Defense
The dissertation is defended in a closed oral examination and then presented in a departmental seminar.
Academic Progress
Normative time to degree is six years, though it is possible to complete the program in less time. Academic progress is formally reviewed in the spring quarter of each academic year.
Applying for Graduation
Information for applying for graduation may be found on the EEB Graduate Program website. Deadlines should always be confirmed with the Graduate Program coordinator.