Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology - Ecological Genomics and Genetics

The Graduate Group in Ecology offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Ecology is a science that integrates numerous fields of study to attain deep understanding of natural and societal influences on the distribution, abundances, behaviors, traits, and ecosystem functions of organisms. In order to accommodate varied student interests, the Group has developed several 'areas of emphasis' with specialized programs of study: agricultural ecology, conservation ecology, ecological genomics and genetics, ecosystems and landscape ecology, ecotoxicology and physiological ecology, environmental policy and human ecology, integrative ecology, marine ecology, and restoration ecology. For further details, contact the Group office. The graduate group in ecology is an interdisciplinary graduate program that offers students a combination of both basic and applied ecology. Students gain advanced knowledge in one of the following areas: agricultural ecology, conservation ecology, ecological genomics and genetics, ecosystems and landscape ecology, ecotoxicology, environmental policy & human ecology, integrative ecology, marine ecology, physiological ecology, or restoration ecology. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in ecological theory and its applications.

Ecological genomics may be defined as a scientific discipline that studies the structure and functioning of a genome with the aim of understanding the relationship between the organism and its biotic and abiotic environments. In addition to providing more research tools, the advent of genomics has allowed new scientific questions to emerge and existing questions to be answered in ways not previously considered. Ecological Genomics and Genetics encompasses ecology, genetics, genomics, and evolutionary biology, and utilizes genetic and genomic approaches to address consequential ecological questions. The field is becoming increasingly important as rapid advances in genomics and genomic technology provide new tools with which to evaluate, monitor, and predict the impacts of environmental changes on natural systems of organisms. Because of the interdisciplinary and integrative nature of this AOE, students are expected to have or acquire a broad background in ecology, genetics, population biology, evolution, and systematics.

Transcripts UC Davis requires academic records (i.e. transcripts including a GPA) from each college-level institution you have attended, and these transcripts are used as one metric of academic merit within the holistic review. A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) from the institution where you have earned or will earn your bachelor's degree. Letters of Recommendation Personal History & Diversity Statement Statement of Purpose The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 (paper based test) or 80 (internet based test). The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 7.0.