Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology is a research-intensive program that places a powerful emphasis on original research leading to a dissertation. The program requires at least 24 credit hours beyond a master's degree, with a minimum emphasis on coursework, allowing students to work with a faculty mentor to develop high-level expertise in ecology, evolutionary biology, fisheries, genetics, physiology, or wildlife biology.

Degree Requirements

The program is designed for students aiming to excel in biological sciences, particularly in areas like ecology, evolution, genetics, and physiology. Applicants should have a strong background in biology, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a clear statement of purpose.

Concentration

The Ecology concentration is essentially the same curriculum as the standard Zoology Ph.D., but with a few key distinctions:

• Each year, until candidacy, students are required to participate in the 'Seminar in Ecology' or its approved equivalent.
• The primary research tool will be statistics, a critical skill for ecological data analysis.
• The advisory committee will include at least two members from outside the Zoology program, providing students with a broader range of academic perspectives and expertise.

Admissions Requirements

All doctoral applicants should possess:

• A strong background in the biological sciences
• A master's degree
• A minimum GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) Applicants with a lower GPA may be considered based on individual merit. Exceptional candidates with only a bachelor's degree may be considered for direct entry, and accelerated entry for master's students into the Ph.D. program is possible for highly promising students.

Assistantships & Awards

The program guarantees a minimum of four years of financial support for all Zoology Ph.D. students, from teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and/or university fellowships. A number of short-term scholarships and awards are also available for Zoology Ph.D. students who exhibit outstanding teaching, research, or professional development, including:

• Florence and Charles Foote Outstanding Teaching Assistant in Zoology
• Richard E. Blackwelder Award in Zoology
• Carter-Kenney Endowed Scholarship
• Richard R. Kudo Memorial Award in Zoology
• Hilda Stein Scholarship
• Jan Martan Non-Traditional Student Award in Zoology
• Zoology Summer Graduate Scholarship

Graduate Student Association

The Zoology Graduate Student Association (ZGSA) selects and hosts a series of visiting speakers, holds a weekly seminar series in which graduate students present their work to other students, elects student representatives to faculty committees, identifies opportunities for outreach to local schools, and organizes social events.

Centers For Research And Training

The Center for Wildlife Sustainability Research and the Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences provide research opportunities for graduate students in the Zoology and Forestry Programs, addressing applied problems in conjunction with state or federal management agencies.