Master's or Ph.D. degree in Systems Ecology
Housed in the , Systems Ecology is an intercollegiate graduate degree program that emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding ecological and human systems. Systems Ecology is an ideal fit for students interested in understanding the biological, physical, chemical, and human processes that shape social-ecological systems across spatial and temporal scales. Choose Systems Ecology for an interdisciplinary approach to the study of ecological systems that focuses on interactions and transactions within and among biological systems.
Systems Ecology has a diverse faculty, a unique graduate curriculum, and each student does their own independent thesis work. This program brings together collaborators from across the 老虎机攻略 campus. Both the M.S. and Ph.D. programs promote an understanding of ecological systems and problem solving, provides students with knowledge about linkages between natural and social domains at multiple scales, and helps students sharpen the skills they need to engage in an increasingly complex world.
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR M.S. THESIS OR PROFESSIONAL PAPER OPTION:
The specific courses (program of study) that a graduate student enrolls in will be tailored to each individual, based on their academic background, professional interests, and the focus of their thesis work.聽聽However, the minimum requirements for the M.S. Degree include:
- 30 graduate semester credits beyond the Bachelor鈥檚 degree.
- At least 20 of the total credits must be taken within the major discipline.聽
- At least 20 of the total credits must be in coursework and at least half of the coursework credits (minimum 10 credits) must be at the 500 level or above.聽 Courses below the 400 level do not count towards the M.S. course requirements.
- Up to 10 of the 30 credits may be taken as research and/or thesis.
- Enroll in one credit of graduate seminar per year.聽 (Requirement may be waived by faculty advisor in favor of a different course/seminar if there is a time conflict.)
- Complete a research methods course related to their field of study, and at least one course in graduate level statistics (or comparable analytical course) at the university.聽
In addition to these specific requirements, a list of required/suggested coursework must be approved by the committee no later than the second semester in residence, but earlier if possible.聽 Other suitable courses (e.g., emphasizing analytical skills) can be substituted at the discretion of the student鈥檚 committee.
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR M.S. NON-THESIS OPTION:
The non-thesis option must be approved by a student advisor and is generally decided on before the student is accepted into the program.聽 The minimum requirements for this option are:
- 36 graduate semester credits beyond the Bachelor鈥檚 degree.聽 (Thesis credits cannot be counted towards the 36 total required credits under this option.)
- At least 32 credits of coursework (not including research credits), with at least half of the coursework credits at the 500-level or above.聽 400-level courses used to fulfill this requirement must include a鈥淕raduate Increment鈥.
- A maximum of 4 credits of research.
- At least 20 credits (including coursework and research credits) must be within the major discipline.
- Enroll in one credit of graduate seminar per year.聽 (Requirement may be waived by faculty advisor in favor of a different course/seminar if there is a time conflict.)
- Students whose work requires any assessment of quantitative data should take at least one course (or
series of courses) in graduate-level statistics (or comparable analytical course).
In addition to these specific requirements, a list of required/suggested coursework must be approved by the committee no later than the second semester in residence, but earlier if possible.聽 Other suitable courses (e.g., emphasizing analytical skills) can be substituted at the discretion of the student鈥檚 committee.
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D.
Primary emphasis in the Ph.D. program is on professional development, stimulation of intellectual curiosity, and competency in science, rather than on a specified set of courses.聽 However, a general set of coursework requirements must be completed successfully:
- The student must obtain a minimum of 60 credits beyond the bachelor鈥檚 degree.聽 A dissertation committee may require more depending on the student鈥檚 background for the proposed research program.
- Of the 60 credits, a minimum of 40 must be in coursework exclusive of thesis or research and of those, at least half should be at the 500-level or above.
- At least 30 semester graduate credits must be taken at the 老虎机攻略.
- Up to 30 semester credits from a Master's degree may be applied to the 60 credit requirement.聽 On the recommendation of the department and approval of the Graduate Dean, credits may be transferred (including an entire Master's Degree and/or credits from a Master's Degree program) from other institutions after one semester in residence.