Evolution, Ecology and Behavior PhD

Evolution, ecology and behavior focuses on the study of complex social, cultural, and natural interactions in the environment, and how those interactions change over time. This interdisciplinary program brings faculty and students with research and teaching interests in these fields for a coordinated approach to graduate education along two tracks. The Ecology Track applies scientiﬁc principles and methods to topics, including the evolution of biodiversity over space and time and the eﬀects of climate change on ecosystems. The Sustainability Track integrates investigates political-ecological transformations, science in society, and community-based sustainability solutions.

Ecology Track Curriculum

Required Core (2 credits)

EVS 551SEM - Foundations of Ecological and Environmental Sciences Credits: 1
EVS 552SEM - Graduate Research Seminar Credits: 1

Ecology Required Courses (9 credits)

APY 546SEM - Physical Anthropology Special Topics Credits: 3
APY 547SEM - Behavioral Research Methods Credits: 3
BIO 500LLB - Bioinformatics/Genome Anal Credits: 4
BIO 525LEC - Special Topics in Mod Bio Credits: 1 - 4
EVS 509LEC - Advanced Ecology Credits: 3
EVS 545LEC - Restoration Ecology Credits: 3
GEO 515LEC - Conservation Biogeography Credits: 3
GLY 558LEC - Macroevolution Credits: 3
GLY 569LEC - Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Ecology Credits: 3
PSY 634SEM - Animal Behavior Credits: 3
PSY 640LEC - The Neurobiology of Communication in Animals Credits: 3

Required Formal Courses (16 credits)

Courses to be approved by Major Advisor (all graduate courses in APY, BIO, EVS, GEO, GLY, PSY are automatically approved).

Electives and Dissertation (up to 42 credits)

Elective courses, Research or Dissertation Guidance in consultation with your dissertation advisor

Sustainability Track Curriculum

Required Core (4 credits)

EVS 552SEM - Graduate Research Seminar Credits: 1
SSN 501SEM - Fundamentals of Sustainability Credits: 3

Ecological Dimensions (3 credits)

Choose 1, with option to substitute a course given advisor approval

EVS 545LEC - Restoration Ecology Credits: 3
GEO 515LEC - Conservation Biogeography Credits: 3
GEO 570LEC - Integr Environment Mgmt Credits: 3
GLY 569LEC - Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Ecology Credits: 3

Social Dimension (6 credits)

Choose 2, with option to substitute a course given advisor approval

APY 619SEM - Political Ecology: Nature, Capital and Climate Change Credits: 3
COM 640SEM - Risk Communication Credits: 3
GEO 503SEM - Geography Seminar Credits: 3
GEO 560SEM - International Development Credits: 3
EVS 543SEM - Business, Sustainability, and Society Credits: 3
EVS 560SEM - Leadership in Sustainability Credits: 3
EVS 570SEM - International Organizations, Gender and Sustainability Credits: 3
EVS 589LEC - Special Topics Credits: 1 - 3
SOC 546SEM - Environmental Sociology Credits: 3
URP 568SEM - Environmental Planning and Policy Credits: 3

Recommended Courses (16 credits)

Credits may be earned through formal a combination of coursework, independent study or other experiential learning as approved by Major Advisor. All graduate courses listed below are automatically approved.

APY 508SEM - Qualitative Research Methods Credits: 3
APY 546SEM - Physical Anthropology Special Topics Credits: 3
APY 547SEM - Behavioral Research Methods Credits: 3
BIO 500LLB - Bioinformatics/Genome Anal Credits: 4
BIO 525LEC - Special Topics in Mod Bio Credits: 1 - 4
CIE 500LEC - Special Topics Credits: 3
ECO 512LEC - Environmental Economics Credits: 3
ENG 503SEM - Professional Digital Communication Credits: 3
EVS 509LEC - Advanced Ecology Credits: 3
GEO 503SEM - Geography Seminar Credits: 3
GEO 508LEC - Research Methods in Geog Credits: 3
GEO 560SEM - International Development Credits: 3
GEO 577LEC - Environmental Statistics Credits: 3
GLY 558LEC - Macroevolution Credits: 3
GLY 565LLB - Environmtl Remote Sensing Credits: 3
GLY 569LEC - Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Ecology Credits: 3
PSY 634SEM - Animal Behavior Credits: 3
PSY 640LEC - The Neurobiology of Communication in Animals Credits: 3
SOC 504SEM - Introductory Statistics for the Social Sciences Credits: 3
SOC 511SEM - Inequality and Crime Credits: 3
SOC 525SEM - Race & Ethnicity Credits: 3
URP 508SEM - Race, Class, Gender and the City Credits: 3
URP 522SEM - Economic Development Planning Credits: 3
URP 568SEM - Environmental Planning and Policy Credits: 3
URP 573SEM - Environmental Land Use and Physical Planning Credits: 3
URP 576SEM - Comp Intrntl Dvlpmnt Plng Credits: 3
URP 604SEM - Food Systems Planning Credits: 3
URP 605SEM - Built Environment and Health Credits: 3

Electives and Dissertation

Elective courses, Research, or Dissertation Guidance in consultation with your dissertation advisor

Total Credit Hours: 72

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Credits Required

72 Hours

Time-To-Degree

5 Years

Application Fee

$75

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.