The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology offers graduate programs leading to the M.S. (non-thesis), M.A.(thesis) and Ph.D. degrees. Course offerings include classroom lectures, discussion, seminars, laboratory tutorials, and field study. Our program is designed to foster close working relationships between students and faculty, a member of which serves as each student's research advisor. Graduate study is tailored to the individual student. Research is strongly emphasized, but programs include both formal class work and laboratory study. Graduate students are also encouraged to attend courses offered by other academic departments at Rice and by Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Texas Health Science Center, and the University of Houston. Recent graduates are working in academia, government, and the private sector.
Well-equipped research areas are housed in modern, attractive facilities, which include state-of-the-art laboratories and a new 3500 sq. ft. greenhouse.
In addition, within a two-hour drive of the campus are many federal, state, and private refuges, parks, experimental stations, and preserves available for field research. Habitats include southeastern coastal plain forests; coastal prairies; fresh, brackish, and saline marshes; estuaries; and near-shore marine environments. Slightly further away is the Hill Country (Austin, San Antonio) where a number of faculty members also do research. In addition, faculty members do research in other areas of the United States including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, and Virginia and in China, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Samoa.
Within the university graduate students are represented by the Graduate Student Association, which also sponsors social and other activities. Graduate students serve on university committees which determine policy on research, affirmative action, the library, computers, public lectures, student affairs, and other university functions.
ADMISSION
Applicants for graduate study in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology must have:
- BA or BS degree or equivalent that provides a strong background in biology
- Strong ability and motivation, as indicated by academic record, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and recommendations
- Scores from the GRE Biology subject exam are optional but can be helpful, particularly for student with nontraditional backgrounds in biology
These requirements do not preclude admission of qualified applicants who have majored in areas other than biology. Although the department offers MA and MS degrees, only on rare occasions are students who do not intend to purse the PhD admitted to the graduate program.
Students should have completed course work in physics, mathematics (including calculus), and chemistry (including organic chemistry) prior to admission. Deficiencies in these subject areas or in specific areas of biology should be made up during the first year of residence; some may be waived at the discretion of the student's advisory committee and the department chair.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
First Year Students
Entering students will meet with a faculty advisor to form a course of study of the first year. All first year students will complete the core course in ecology and evolutionary biology (BIOS 569) in their first semester. All graduate students are required to complete BIOS 585/586 (Graduate Seminar in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) and two semesters of BIOS 591 (Graduate Teaching). Students must maintain a grade average of B in courses taken in the department and satisfactory grades in courses taken outside the department.
Students must demonstrate satisfactory progress in their degree program in annual reviews by a departmental committee. The review process requires that each student present a public seminar on their research, prepare a written report on their progress, and participate in an interview with the departmental committee. For general university requirements, see Graduate Degrees (in General Announcements).
MS Program
In addition to the general university requirements and those listed above, the master of science in ecology and evolutionary biology requires at least 10 hours of research credit.
MA Program
In addition to the general university requirements and those listed above, the master of arts in ecology and evolutionary biology requires the completion and public defense of a thesis embodying the results of an original investigation.
PhD Program
In addition to the general university requirements and those listed above, the PhD degree in ecology and evolutionary biology requires:
- Passing the admission to candidacy examination given by the Graduate Thesis Committee. (Committee will be composed of at least 4 members. At least 3 must be members of the EEB graduate faculty.)
- Complete an original investigation and a doctoral thesis with the potential to produce publications in reputable, peer-reviewed scientific journals
- Present a departmental seminar on the research
- Publicly defend the doctoral thesis
FACULTY
The ecology and evolutionary biology faculty includes three professors, one associate professor, and five assistant professors. Two Huxley instructors and a laboratory coordinator/lecturer do not serve as graduate advisors but are valuable additional resources for graduate students. A number of adjunct professors increase the diversity of research expertise available to graduate students. Our department is rich in specific areas of research, with strengths in: evolution of social interactions, speciation, community ecology, interspecific interactions, plant ecology, genomics, and invasive species...
Each group has a strong international reputation. Most faculty serve on editorial boards and professional committees, participate in national and international organizations, guide graduate students, and serve the university and the larger community in many capacities. Frequent seminars are given by visitors from major U.S. and international universities. These stimulate collaborative research efforts and provide a forum for the interchange of ideas.
LIVING AND HOUSING COSTS
Houston has a reasonable cost of living for a major city. The Graduate Apartments, which opened in the summer of 1999, offers housing at moderate cost and is close to campus. Contact Student Housing or The Graduate Student Association for information regarding other housing options.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Incoming students who request financial support and do not hold external fellowships will be awarded a nine-month Rice University Graduate Fellowship for their first year of study. The annual stipend for 2006-2007 will be $21,333 plus $26,300 in tuition waivers. Support beyond the first year is extended to all students who remain in good standing in the program. Outstanding applicants may be eligible for a Rice Presidential Fellowship which would supplement the annual stipend to $26,333. Graduate research assistantships and fellowships are supported by numerous faculty research grants awarded by a wide range of national and private funding agencies. Additional support for the summer is usually available.