Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology

Program Overview

The EEOB Graduate Program at UCR offers both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology. The program provides a comprehensive education in these fields, including coursework, research, and teaching experience. Students benefit from a diverse faculty and the opportunity to conduct research across a wide range of topics. The program prepares graduates for successful careers in biology and related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The EEOB Graduate Program offers graduate study leading to both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology. As a member of the program, students will receive a broad background in evolution, ecology, and organismal biology, exposure to modern research, training in pedagogy, opportunity to teach undergraduate laboratories and discussion sections, and immersion in their specific area of concentration. These experiences will prepare them for a successful career in biology.

Outline:

Program

• Required Courses:
• EEOB 400 (Introduction to Graduate Studies)
• One Foundational Course in Evolution (EEOB 216), Ecology (EEOB 211), or Organismal Biology (EEOB 210)
• One additional 4-unit graduate course from an approved list
• Current Research Topics Courses:
• BIOL 252 Seminars (minimum of 12 quarters)
• EEOB 265 Seminars (minimum of 12 quarters)
• First-year Research Project:
• To be presented in EEOB 265 in Fall quarter of student's second year.
Formatted as a "Contributed Presentation."
• Written Qualifying Exam Evaluation:
• Evaluated by a standing committee of EEOB faculty members with ad hoc review as necessary.
• Oral Qualifying Exam:
• Usually in the Fall quarter of the student's third year.
• Teaching Requirement:
• Minimum of three quarters as a Teaching Assistant.
• Dissertation:
• Final Defense and Written Dissertation are required.
• Time to Completion:
• Students are strongly encouraged to complete the requirements within five years.
• First two years focus on coursework, reading, and initial research in preparation for the Written and Oral qualifying examinations.
• Final two or three years primarily devoted to research and dissertation writing and defense.
• Qualifying Procedure:
• Students meet with their guidance committee in their initial quarter of study.
The committee is assigned by the Graduate Advisor for Recruitment based on the student's interests indicated in their statement of purpose. The committee works with the student to design an academic course of study and help them select a major professor.
• The Ph.D. qualifying procedure requires satisfactory completion of the written qualifying examination, preparation of a research proposal, and an oral qualifying examination.
The written qualifying examination is a comprehensive examination in the field of specialization and is normally taken in the student's sixth quarter of residence. The Oral Examination is conducted by the student's Qualifying Committee and may cover any material relevant to the student's interests and goals, especially those in their area of research specialization. Work on the proposal and preliminary experiments may begin at any time, but the final proposal should be submitted before the beginning of the third year. After successful completion of the Oral Examination, the student is advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D., and the Dissertation Committee is formally appointed.
• The Dissertation:
• The format of the dissertation is flexible (e.g., a formally prepared 'stand-alone' document or a collection of autonomous research papers with appropriate introductory and summary sections) but must meet with the approval of the Graduate Division and the Dissertation Committee.
It is the responsibility of this Committee to decide when data of sufficient quality and quantity have been gathered to demonstrate proficiency in independent research. The final Oral Examination includes a public formal presentation (seminar) on the dissertation research followed by a question period. Once the Committee is satisfied with the dissertation, and it is filed with the Graduate Division, all requirements for the Ph.D. will have been met.
• For more information, refer to the EEOB Graduate Program Handbook.

Master of Science Program

• The UCR Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology offers a Master's Degree based on research; they do not offer a coursework M.S.
degree.
• Students accepted into the M.S.
program should take basic coursework in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, or Organismal Biology in the first year and plan and begin a research project.
• By the end of the second quarter, the student should select a faculty research sponsor and prepare a brief description of the proposed research.
• General Expectations and/or Requirements:
• Research should be initiated by the third quarter, and students should register for Biology 297, Directed Research.
• Twenty-four units of course work in graduate courses (200 series) in biological sciences, of which at least 12 must be courses other than 290-299.
The remaining 12 units can be taken either in the 100 or 200 series.
• Enrollment is expected in Biology 252 seminar and the 265 "lunch bunch" for all students during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters.
• It is generally advisable to concentrate on formal course work during the first year and on research in the second year.
• Thesis preparation should begin no later than the beginning of Spring quarter in the student's second year.
• Presentation of an acceptable thesis and final oral defense of theses are required of every candidate for the M.S.
degree.
• Please be aware, M.S.
students are self-funded and are not eligible for financial support.
• Progress Evaluation for M.S.
• and Ph.D.:
• For both M.S.
and Ph.D. students, evaluations of progress are carried out each year by the faculty of each specialization, or a committee thereof. All evaluations are reviewed by the Graduate Advisory Committee, which is responsible for making specific recommendations to the Graduate Division concerning the student's progress. It is also the responsibility of the Graduate Advisory Committee to recommend exceptions to the normal time schedule occasioned by unusual circumstances. The student is notified in writing of the results of the annual evaluation and a copy is forwarded to the Graduate Division.

Assessment:

• Written Qualifying Exam: This is a comprehensive examination in the field of specialization.
• Oral Qualifying Exam: This exam covers material relevant to the student's interests and goals, especially those in their area of research specialization.
• Dissertation: The dissertation must meet with the approval of the Graduate Division and the Dissertation Committee.
The final Oral Examination includes a public formal presentation on the dissertation research followed by a question period.

Other:

• The EEOB Graduate Program has cooperating faculty from various disciplines, including Anthropology, Botany and Plant Sciences, Conservation Biology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Entomology, Nematology, Microbiology and Plant Pathology, and Psychology.
With over 40 faculty members available as mentors, students have the opportunity to perform their research across a broad range of topics.
• There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D.