Few universities have the fertile research environment that The University of Toledo offers. Toledo's location near Lake Erie and its diverse ecosystems - from wetlands to savannahs and woodlands - provide a rich laboratory and opportunities for hands-on field work near campus. Our Ecology and Organismal Biology program focuses on laboratory and field experiences for both M.S. and Ph.D. students in close collaboration with research-active faculty. Our graduate education and research strengths are in: Earth surface processes Aquatic, landscape, microbial, plant, animal, soil and systems ecology Bioremediation top reasons to study ecology and organismal biology at UToledo Outstanding faculty. UToledo's Ecology faculty are prolific researchers and publishers who take pride in advising graduate students. Faculty advisors challenge M.S. and Ph.D. students to develop independent approaches to solving environmental problems, mentor them throughout the research process and encourage students to publish their findings. Cutting-edge research facilities. UToledo is well equipped with the tools to conduct advanced research, from drones to recently renovated laboratories with the latest technology and resources. Graduate students conduct research in UToledo's on-campus greenhouse and on the grounds of the nearby, 47-acre Stranahan Arboretum. Students interested in aquatic research work in the state-of-the art Lake Erie Center. UToledo faculty and students have access to labs, classrooms and research boats to study harmful algal blooms, water quality, fish ecology and more. The center is located on the shoreline of Lake Erie, a 30-minute drive from UToledo’s Main Campus. A unique, natural laboratory. The Toledo region offers an ideal environment to study ecology. Its unique natural habitats and landforms - glacial terrains, Lake Erie's fisheries and wetlands, savannas and woodlands - are close to an urban population. This combination allows our graduate students and faculty to conduct relevant research that focuses on current problems facing our environment, including exotic species invasions, nutrient pollution and compromised water quality. Financial aid. The Department of Environmental Sciences offers tuition waivers and stipends to graduate students working as teaching or research assistants.