Overview

Pennsylvania State University’s Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology trains scientists to explore the natural world and the multitudes of interactions within it.

Specifically, we teach students to observe, experiment with, and analyze patterns in the natural world with a goal of pursuing solutions to some of the most pressing problems of our time—such as those related to biodiversity, climate change, invasive species, food security, and infectious disease.

Students in Penn State’s Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology:

Gain a thorough understanding of ecological theory and hypothesis testing
Conduct research that tests basic ecological theories or applies ecological principles to meet critical societal needs
Engage with faculty members from across Penn State in their coursework and research
Develop their communication and leadership skills

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Human Ecology
Population Genetics
Principles and Applications in Landscape Ecology
Conservation Biology
Microbial Physiology and Structure
Microbial Biotechnology
Environmental Soil Microbiology
Ecological and Environmental Problem Solving
Population Estimation and Modeling
Physiological Ecology
Plant Ecology

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 96 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

University Park, United States

Disciplines

Ecology View 69 other PhDs in Ecology in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

Applicants should have a strong science background, including chemistry through organic chemistry, mathematics through calculus, physics, and biology.
Students with a background in another discipline that has potential value to original ecological work will be seriously considered. A junior/senior grade-point average of 3.00 or better (on a 4.00 scale) is required.
Students are strongly urged to choose their research interests and initiate communication with the relevant faculty member(s) before applying for admission.

The following are required:

three or more letters of recommendation regarding the student's academic and professional promise;
a concise statement describing the student's goals both within the program and in professional life;
a curriculum vitae.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

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Tuition Fee

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International

44996 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 44996 USD per year during 96 months.
National

44996 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 44996 USD per year during 96 months.
In-State

25456 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 25456 USD per year during 96 months.

Living costs for University Park

1000 - 1500 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Ecology.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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