Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Overview

The special areas of strength in the department are evolution and genomics, ecology and the environment, behavior and organismal biology, conservation biology, and infectious disease. The interests and research of faculty range widely over these areas so that incoming students are able to select their adviser from among several professors working in their chosen discipline. 

Graduate students from Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program from Princeton University also have excellent opportunities for combining several areas for innovative interdisciplinary work.

At the same time, students acquire the detailed knowledge and techniques needed to become effective scientists. Each student is guided in developing a comprehensive but flexible course of preparation that is designed to meet their educational needs and goals.

Program Offerings

In consultation with the director of graduate studies, new students work with a graduate committee to develop an individual course work and research program.  During the first two years, members of the committee recommend courses and are available for consultation on planning and initiating research projects.

Though there are few course requirements, all students must enroll in five departmental core courses in their first year. By the end of their second year, students must complete a total of eight core courses, including the field course on tropical ecology, which takes place in January of a student’s first year, and the Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) course offered every other year. 

Students may take graduate or undergraduate courses in the department or relevant courses in any other department.  Additional undergraduate courses may be recommended if a student shows an academic deficiency. Graduate students may take additional advanced topic-related courses occasionally throughout their graduate career.