Evolutionary Biology (MS)

Graduate School

Program Website

Graduate Field

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Program Description

The Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology offers students rich opportunities to study organic diversity, including its origins, maintenance, and consequences. The program provides broad exposure to concepts and research approaches in ecology and evolution, alongside in-depth study in one or more subdisciplines. Students pursue research questions that address fundamental issues in basic and applied sciences, spanning a wide range of spatial and temporal scales and employing experimental, observational, theoretical, statistical, molecular, and chemical approaches. Some students focus on Discipline-Based Education Research to develop evidence-based knowledge and practices to improve STEM education.

Each student’s course of study is tailored to their individual goals and interests. The program emphasizes broad, integrative thinking and encourages students to be both interdisciplinary and independent. It is particularly well suited to those who can take full advantage of Cornell’s expansive intellectual and technological resources in the life sciences and related fields.

Excellent laboratory and nearby field facilities are available, along with extensive collections and libraries.

*The field does not usually admit students for a terminal M.S. degree.

Concentrations

  • Ecological genetics
  • Paleobiology
  • Population biology
  • Systematics