Graduate School Bulletin

Ecology and Evolution Department

The Department of Ecology and Evolution and the Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution (GPEE) at Stony Brook were the first such units in the United States and have served as models for corresponding units at many other institutions. The Faculty of the GPEE at Stony Brook has included several members of the National Academy of Sciences, and several past presidents of national and international societies in ecology, evolution, and systematics, and authors of influential books in these disciplines. Since its inception, the program has emphasized the integration of concepts from ecology and evolutionary biology.

The faculty and the graduate students in GPEE are engaged in research on Long Island and around the world, including Alaska, the continental US, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, and Antarctica. They study terrestrial, freshwater, and marine organisms comprising a wide range of taxa, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, mollusks, insects, vascular plants, fungi, and bacteria. Their research incorporates experimental, comparative, theoretical, and statistical approaches and utilize field, laboratory, and literature survey studies. Research in GPEE includes interspecific interactions, population genetics, experimental evolution, evolutionary genomics, molecular evolution, evolutionary developmental biology, phylogenetics, population dynamics, biological invasions, phenotypic plasticity, ecosystem ecology and paleontology. Many faculty members are active in the application of their research to problems in conservation.

Our program has students studying toward both master’s and doctoral degrees. Graduates are qualified for positions in academic or research institutions, government agencies, conservation organizations, and environmental consulting companies. Former students have becomefaculty members in biology, ecology and evolution, agricultural entomology, and marine biology departments at prominent private and public universities as well as selective liberal arts and smaller state colleges. Although GPEE emphasizes basic research, many of its graduates have entered careers that apply ecological and evolutionary principles to problems in such areas as marine toxicology, agricultural entomology, invasive species, natural resource management, conservation, and risk assessment.

An atmosphere of collegiality and intellectual exchange prevails throughout the GPEE and is fostered by discussion groups and an exciting weekly program of invited speakers during the academic year. A detailed description of the program, including degree requirements, and descriptions of the faculty research interests, and application materials are available on the web at www.stonybrook.edu/ecoevo. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact individual faculty members whose interests they share.

Master of Arts in Biological Sciences (concentrations in Applied Ecology and Applied Evolution)

In our small program, each student is matched with an advisor from our program faculty. The plan of study is individually tailored within the course offerings and other internship or research opportunities to match the student's personal goals. Core courses provide training in statistics and ecology or evolution. Students participate in at least two topical discussion seminars in ecology or evolution. Students interact with each other in a shared office and through weekly group meetings and participation in seminars. Students must complete 30 graduate credits and a capstone project for the degree, which is typically completed in three semesters. Some of our students also receive an advanced graduate certificate in Geospatial Science, Data & Computational Science, Environmental Management, or Science Training & Research to Inform DEcisions (STRIDE). Graduates of our M.A. program go on to work at government agencies, NGOs, consulting firms, education, and industry, or use their degree as further preparation before applying for doctoral programs.

Ph.D. Program in Ecology and Evolution

First year students take courses in ecology, evolution, and biometry. A temporary advisor is assigned upon entering the program. Students appoint a permanent advisor and advisory committee during the second year. A general preliminary examination is given at the end of the first year. Students are encouraged to take specialized courses at Stony Brook and other institutions and to become involved in research during the first summer. Advanced courses and seminars are taken in subsequent years. After passing an oral examination that concentrates on the areas of their proposed research and submitting a research proposal to the faculty, students undertake original research that is typically independent of their advisor’s research.

Applications

To apply, fill out an online application on the Graduate School website.

Applicants will also need to provide:

1. Official transcripts of undergraduate and (if applicable) graduate course work
2. Three letters of recommendation
3. A non-refundable application fee of $100.00. (Please note that applications will not be processed without the $100.00 fee)
4. TOEFL or IELTS scores if the applicant’s native or primary language is not English
5. Personal statement addressing the applicant’s background and research interests.

All applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, mathematics or other courses of study that provide an appropriate background for advanced training in ecology and evolution. At least one semester of calculus is typically expected.

M.A. applicants are encouraged to correspond with the Program Director and GPEE Faculty member(s) to discuss their interests and goals.

Ph.D. applicants should also have:

1. Formal coursework in genetics, ecology, evolution and the biology of a particular group of organisms is strongly recommended. Prior biological research experience also strongly influences the likelihood of admission.
   
   
2. Prior correspondence with GPEE Faculty member(s) to discuss research interests and possibilities is strongly recommended. All incoming students will need to be accepted by both the Graduate School and the Department of Ecology & Evolution.

For more information on applying, contact the Ecology and Evolution Graduate Program Coordinator.