Ecology (Watershed Sciences) - PhD

S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources

Department of Watershed Sciences

The Department of Watershed Sciences offers a Ph.D. degree in Ecology administered by the interdepartmental Ecology Center. Ecology majors who are housed in the Department of Watershed Sciences also have the option of adding a specialization in Climate Adaptation Science. For this optional specialization, please see the Climate Adaptation Science Specialization Program Page .

Interdepartmental Program in Ecology

Director: Dr. Peter Adler
Location: Natural Resources 208B
E-mail: peter.adler@usu.edu

Correspondence for catalog questions should be sent to the Ecology Center/CAS Program Coordinator:

Program Coordinator: Dr. Lexi Turano
Location: Natural Resources 208
Phone: (435) 797-2555
E-mail: alexandra.turano@usu.edu

Graduate Program in Ecology

The Ecology degree programs at Utah State University are administered by the interdepartmental Ecology Center. The Ecology Center aims to promote research and graduate education in ecology and to provide expert, professional information and advice for decision-makers. The research carried out by the center’s associates covers the full spectrum of ecology. Students earn their degrees in Ecology while maintaining residence in one of the participating home departments (BIOL, ENVS, PSC, WATS, WILD); the Ecology Center itself does not grant degrees. The candidate must select a major professor from their home department, appropriate to their interests.

Ecology (Watershed Sciences) – Ph.D. Requirements

Requirements for graduate degrees in Ecology include the graduate school, home department, and Ecology Center program requirements, outlined below. Please also visit your home department catalog page to confirm that all degree requirements have been met.

Graduate School and Home Department Requirements:

Submission of dissertation to the School of Graduate Studies and library for review and approval.
Completion of academic forms required by the WATS Program and the School of Graduate Studies
- Supervisory committee approval form
- Program of Study form
- Application for Candidacy
Completion of academic forms required specifically by the School of Graduate Studies
- Appointment for Examination
- Record of Examination
- Graduation Check Form
- Application for Graduation
Completion of required trainings
A cumulative GPA of 3.0
No grades of C- or lower

Watershed Sciences and Ecology Center Credit Requirements:

Ph.D. (post-master’s)
- 30 required credit hours (minimum), including:
  - 1 credit of WATS 6260 - Watershed Sciences Graduate Student Induction Course
  - 3 credits of BIOL /ENVS /PSC /WATS /WILD 6870 - Ecology Seminar
    - Ph.D. students must pass this 1-credit course at least three times during their program of study
  - 12 credits of WATS 7970 - Dissertation Research
    - 9 credits of a demonstrated breadth of knowledge in Ecology
      - Ph.D. students must take 3 credits from at least three of the five Ecology Blocks (see below)
        
        Block #5: Human Ecology
        
        Block #4: Quantitative Ecology
        
        Block #3: Community, Ecosystem, and Landscape Ecology
        
        Block #2: Organismic, Population, and Evolutionary Ecology
        
        Block #1: Biophysical Ecology
- Students are advised to discuss course options with their Graduate Program Coordinator to fulfill block requirements.
  - Remaining credits to reach 30 credit hours (minimum)
    - Fulfilled via:
      - Graduate level course work (6000 and above)
      - No more than 12 credits of 5000-5990 level courses
Ph.D. (post-baccalaureate)
- 60 required credit hours (minimum) including:
  - 1 credit of WATS 6260 - Watershed Sciences Graduate Student Induction Course
  - 3 credits of BIOL /ENVS /PSC /WATS /WILD 6870 - Ecology Seminar
    - Ph.D. students must pass this 1-credit course at least three times during their program of study
    - 18 credits of WATS 7970 - Dissertation Research
  - 9 credits of a demonstrated breadth of knowledge in Ecology
  - Ph.D. students must take 3 credits from at least three of the five Ecology Blocks (see below)
    - Block #5: Human Ecology
    - Block #4: Quantitative Ecology
    - Block #3: Community, Ecosystem, and Landscape Ecology
    - Block #2: Organismic, Population, and Evolutionary Ecology
    - Block #1: Biophysical Ecology
- Students are advised to discuss course options with their Graduate Program Coordinator to fulfill block requirements.
  - Remaining credits to reach 60 credit hours (minimum)
    - Fulfilled via:
      - Graduate level course work (6000 and above)
      - No more than 12 credits of 5000-5990 level courses

Optional Climate Adaptation Science Specialization:

Optional Climate Adaptation Science Specialization Requirements:

Ecology majors who are housed in the Department of Watershed Sciences have the option of adding a specialization in Climate Adaptation Science to appear on their transcript upon completion. To opt for this specialization, students must declare this to their home department (Watershed Sciences). Please use specialization code CLAD.

For course requirements, please see the Climate Adaptation Science Specialization Program Page .