Program Overview

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Introduction to the Wildlife Ecology PhD Program

The Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of WisconsinMadison offers a PhD program in Wildlife Ecology. This program is designed to provide graduate education and training in various areas of wildlife ecology, leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree. The department is renowned for its outstanding research reputation and the success of its graduates, who work globally in their field.

Program Description

The Wildlife Ecology program was founded by Aldo Leopold in 1939 and has maintained his vision of excellence in research and graduate training. The program focuses on areas of wildlife ecology that reflect the expertise of the faculty, including behavioral ecology, physiological ecology, population dynamics, wildlife disease, community ecology, landscape ecology, wildlife management, wildlife-habitat linkages, molecular ecology, human dimensions, species distribution modeling, climate change, endangered species recovery, conservation biology, toxicology, and wildlife damage management.

Research Support and Opportunities

The department is home to the U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, which prioritizes research in support of state and federal wildlife conservation programs. Annual research support for the department's programs averages between $3 million to $4 million, drawn from federal, state, and conservation organizations, as well as private donors. Graduate assistantships and/or fellowships may be available for a limited number of well-qualified students.

Admissions

Admission to the program is competitive, and not every admissible student can or will be offered financial support. Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to program faculty before applying, as admittance depends on an appropriate fit within a research lab and the faculty member's ability to fund a graduate student throughout their degree program.

Admissions Requirements

• Fall Deadline: May 31 for international applicants, August 1 for domestic applicants
• Spring Deadline: October 1 for international applicants, December 1 for domestic applicants
• Summer Deadline: February 1
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required
• English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School's Minimum Requirements for Admission policy
• Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): Not applicable
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

Application Checklist

1. Graduate School Application Form and Application Fee: All applicants must complete the Graduate School's online application.
2. Supplementary Application: Applicants must submit the Wildlife Ecology supplementary application.
3. Resume or CV: Applicants must submit a resume or CV electronically through the online application.
4. Transcripts: All applicants must upload an unofficial transcript in a PDF format to their online application.
5. Statement of Purpose: Describe graduate program objectives and career focus, including past research experiences.
6. Three Letters of Recommendation: Preferably from individuals acquainted with the applicant's academic, research, and/or professional qualifications.
7. English Proficiency Test Scores (if applicable): Refer to the table above for details.

Prerequisites

Individuals are expected to enter the program having taken a majority of the following coursework:

• One course in ecology, with population ecology/dynamics strongly recommended
• One course in conservation biology, wildlife management, natural resources policy, or human dimensions of natural resources
• One course in animal organismal biology (e.g., physiology, terrestrial vertebrates, ornithology)
• One course in genetics or evolution

Funding

The Graduate School provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help afford graduate study include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Additional information regarding funding for Forest and Wildlife Ecology graduate students is available on the departmental website.

Requirements

Mode of Instruction

• Face to Face: Yes
• Evening/Weekend: No
• Online: No
• Hybrid: No
• Accelerated: No

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 51 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 32 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 26 credits must be graduate-level coursework
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required
• Assessments and Examinations: Wildlife Ecology PhD students must complete a public entrance seminar, coursework certification meeting and paperwork, a qualifying exam, a preliminary exam, an exit seminar, and a defense of the dissertation
• Language Requirements: None
• Graduate School Breadth Requirements: All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate

Required Courses

• Graduate Seminars: Students must enroll in at least two graduate seminars
• Statistics: Students must take at least one graduate-level course in statistics
• Individual Course Plan: Remaining coursework will be determined in consultation with the student's graduate committee
• Total Credits: 51

Policies

Prior Coursework

Refer to the Graduate School's Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy for details on graduate credits earned at other institutions, undergraduate credits earned at other institutions or UW-Madison, credits earned as a professional student at UW-Madison, and credits earned as a University Special Student at UWMadison.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School's Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

Refer to the Graduate School's Advisor and Committees policies.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credit maximum. Refer to the Graduate School's Maximum Credit Loads and Overload Requests policy.

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School's Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

Resources for addressing concerns include Bias or Hate Reporting, Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures, Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures, and more. The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has a specific grievance policy outlined for students.

Professional Development

The Graduate School offers resources for professional development to help students build skills, thrive academically, and launch their careers.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Articulate research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to theory, knowledge, or practice within the field of wildlife ecology and natural resource management.
2. Formulate ideas, concepts, designs, and/or techniques beyond the current boundaries of knowledge within the field of wildlife ecology and natural resource management.
3. Demonstrate breadth within their learning experiences.
4. Advance contributions of the field of wildlife ecology and natural resource management to society.
5. Communicate complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner.
6. Create research and scholarship that makes a substantive contribution.