Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program at Princeton University offers students an in-depth understanding of the natural world through the study of organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems, along with the evolutionary processes that have shaped biological diversity over millions of years. This interdisciplinary program combines coursework in biology, geology, and environmental science to provide a comprehensive perspective on how living organisms interact with their environment and adapt over time. Students explore a wide range of topics including organismal biology, population dynamics, conservation biology, behavioral ecology, systematics, and evolutionary theory. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical skills, enabling students to conduct original research, analyze complex data, and apply biological principles to real-world issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and ecological sustainability. Through a combination of lectures, laboratory experiments, fieldwork, and independent research projects, students gain hands-on experience in scientific inquiry and ecological modeling. The faculty members are distinguished scholars in their fields, offering mentorship and facilitating collaborative research opportunities. Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in research, environmental policy, conservation, education, or further study in graduate or professional schools. The program also encourages students to engage in interdisciplinary collaborations and community outreach, fostering a broad understanding of ecological and evolutionary challenges facing our planet today. Overall, the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program at Princeton provides a rigorous, engaging, and versatile education for students passionate about understanding the complexity of life and its continuous evolution.

Courses:

In consultation with the director of graduate studies, new students work with a graduate committee to develop an individual program of course work and research.  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 are required to enroll in three departmental core courses in their first year, and by the end of their second year,  students should have completed a total of six core courses; these include a sequence of fundamental papers, the journal club, a course on professional issues, and the field course on tropical ecology. Other advanced topic-related courses may be taken occasionally throughout the graduate career. Students may take graduate or undergraduate courses in the department or relevant courses in any other department, and additional undergraduate courses are recommended if a student shows an academic deficiency.

Pre-Generals Requirements(s):

Seminars, Colloquia, and Integrated Research Seminars

Students should attend colloquia related to their interests, which are offered weekly.  These colloquia feature Princeton faculty, students and outside speakers. Students enjoy the benefits of an excellent series of seminars and colloquia throughout the year which form an important part of the student’s graduate education and frequently attract faculty and student audiences from several departments such as molecular biology, chemistry, geology, and psychology. These seminars, given by eminent visiting scientists, expand the student’s educational experience beyond the bounds of expertise that can be found in the local Princeton community and keep the faculty and students abreast of the latest developments in their field.

Research and Thesis Adviser

New students are encouraged to begin research projects as soon as possible.  New students work with the DGS to identify a temporary research adviser and research project.   In some cases, the initial project becomes the thesis topic, but many students work on several smaller projects before beginning the subject of their dissertation. Graduate students are expected to continue their research and training during the summer at Princeton, in the field, or at another laboratory. In addition, students are encouraged to attend the meetings of scientific societies.

Generally by the end of the second semester, and certainly by the end of the first academic year, each student settles on a permanent adviser who will supervise work on the thesis.

General Exam:

The general examination is normally taken in the spring of the second year of study. A student may take the general examination at the end of the first year if they wish, as long as the residency requirement set by the Graduate School has been met.

The general examination consists of an oral examination, about three hours in length, conducted by the student’s dissertation committee.  The dissertation committee is chosen in advance by the student and the adviser and is normally composed of four or five Princeton faculty members.  The committee may also include members of other departments within the University. Should the student’s area of study warrant it, faculty members from other institutions with special competence are invited to serve on the dissertation committee.

The student submits a written review of background information relevant to the thesis topic as well as a thesis proposal detailing research objectives, preliminary progress and future plans. Questions asked during the oral examination focus on the thesis topic but also cover all scientific areas relevant to the topic of the thesis.

Qualifying for the M.A.:

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is normally an incidental degree on the way to full Ph.D. candidacy and is earned after a student successfully passes the general examination. It may also be awarded to students who, for various reasons, leave the Ph.D. program, provided that this requirement has been met.

Teaching:

Each graduate student is required to teach two terms during the first four years of the program. If a student has not secured outside fellowship support, (e.g., NSF, NSERC, etc.) an additional two terms of teaching are required.

Post-Generals Requirement(s):

Yearly Committee Meetings

After the general examination, the dissertation committee continues to meet with the graduate student at least once a year to discuss the student's research. The student is expected to prepare a short written summary of his or her work before each of these meetings. 

Dissertation and FPO:

In order to complete the Ph.D., the committee evaluates the dissertation, and once the committee approves the thesis, the candidate has two weeks to prepare and present to the department the final public oral examination for the doctoral degree.

The Ph.D. is awarded after the candidate’s doctoral dissertation has been accepted and the final public oral examination sustained.

• Application Fee: $90
• Statement of Academic Purpose
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Recommendation Letters
• Transcripts
• Fall Semester Grades
• Prerequisite Tests
• English Language Tests
• GRE : General test required and biology subject test strongly recommended.

Additional Departmental Requirements: 

• Applicants are required to select a subplan when applying.

For Ph.D. candidates, tuition and fees during a student’s regular period of enrollment are provided in full from a student’s graduate student financial support, in the form of tuition support from fellowships, assistantships, or external sources.

The annual stipend amount provided to Ph.D. candidates during their regular enrollment is intended to support a single graduate student based on estimated costs. Master’s students or students with spouses and/or dependents may require additional resources to support their living expenses 

The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program at Princeton University is a comprehensive undergraduate major designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the biological processes that shape the diversity of life on Earth. It combines coursework, research opportunities, and fieldwork to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the biological sciences. The program covers a broad range of topics, including animal and plant ecology, evolutionary theory, population biology, genetics, and conservation biology, emphasizing the interconnectedness of biological systems and the importance of environmental sustainability.

Students in the program have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities, enabling hands-on experimentation and data analysis. The curriculum is carefully structured to balance foundational sciences such as chemistry and physics with advanced coursework in ecology and evolution. In addition to classroom instruction, students are encouraged to participate in research projects alongside faculty members who are leading experts in the field. These projects often involve field studies, laboratory experiments, and computational modeling, providing a well-rounded research experience.

The program also offers a variety of seminars, colloquia, and workshops that expose students to current research and emerging trends in ecology and evolutionary biology. Students are encouraged to present their research findings at scientific conferences and submit papers to journals, fostering professional development and scholarly communication skills. Many students take advantage of Princeton’s extensive scientific networks and collaborations to pursue internships, summer research programs, and field expeditions both domestically and internationally.

Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in ecological research, conservation organizations, environmental consulting, biotechnology, as well as for graduate studies in ecology, evolutionary biology, or related disciplines. The program promotes interdisciplinary thinking, analytical skills, and a curiosity about the natural world, aligning with Princeton’s mission to develop scholars committed to understanding critical environmental and biological issues facing our planet today. Overall, the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program at Princeton aims to cultivate the next generation of scientists dedicated to exploring and preserving the diversity of life on Earth through rigorous education and research experience.