30-33 hours

Apply to the UGA Graduate School and include the following: a) 3 letters of recommendation b) CV c) Statement of Purpose emphasizing goals, objectives, and research ideas; for non-thesis applicants, please emphasize professional goals and objectives and articulate why a non-thesis M.S. is central to achieving those goals. At the end of the statement the student should include the names of up to 3 potential faculty who share research interests and could serve as a major advisor. d) Unofficial transcript (3.0 minimum GPA) e) Previous coursework and training should reflect preparation for advanced study in ecology (e.g., coursework in ecology and allied disciplines, work experience, research experience, publications, presentations, REU participation, or senior thesis). There are, however, no specific entrance requirements.

f) International students: For students whose primary language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required. Students need to submit official university documents according to the UGA Graduate School requirements. Students will also have to show certificate of finances upon acceptance to the program. The application deadline is December 1 for the following fall.

Overview

The M.S. Ecology degree is designed to be flexible and accommodate the professional goals of the student. For the thesis-based option, there are no specific course requirements. However, the non-thesis M.S. replaces the thesis with 3 hours of a statistics course at the 6000 level or above, 3 hours of research experience, and 2 courses selected from ECOL 8000, 8100, 8310, and 8322. For all students, at least 12 credit hours obtained must be from courses open only to graduate students.

Thesis Track

ECOL 7000  (6 hours)

Master's Research

1-18

ECOL 7300  (3 hours)

Master's Thesis

1-18

GRSC 7001

GradFIRST: First-year Research and Scholarship Training Seminar

1

Additional coursework approved by the thesis committee.

Non-Thesis Track

You must take a minimum of 21 credit hours, chosen in consultation with your committee, which must include the following:

GRSC 7001

GradFIRST: First-year Research and Scholarship Training Seminar

1

Choose 1 course(s) from the following:

ECOL 7000  (3 hours)

Master's Research

1-18

ECOL 8710

Land Conservation Practicum

4

ECOL(WILD) 8750

Endangered Species Practicum

4

Choose 2 course(s) from the following:

ECOL 8000

Topics in Modern Ecology

4

ECOL 8100

Evolutionary Ecology

4

ECOL(PBIO)(WILD) 8310

Population Ecology

4

ECOL(WILD) 8322

Concepts and Approaches in Ecosystem Ecology

4

In addition, the student must take 3 credits from any statistics course at the 6000-level or above (e.g., FANR 6750)

Training for Teaching Assistants (required to hold a TA)

Choose 1 course(s) from the following:

GRSC 7770

Graduate Teaching Seminar

1-3

WIPP 7001

Pedagogy of Writing in the Disciplines

1-3

Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.

Graduates with a thesis-based M.S. have gone on to Ph.D. programs, as well as careers with industry, government agencies, and NGOs (e.g., as science teachers in public school systems, environmental managers, data analysts, environmental educators, and research technicians). The non-thesis M.S. is designed to prepare graduates for positions in industry, government, and NGOs, or to pursue advanced degrees in other disciplines (e.g., law or policy). The ICAS area of emphasis is primarily used for students who go into applied research careers (with government, NGOs, industry, environmental consulting firms).

Qualified students will be nominated by the Graduate Program Committee for Graduate School M.S. Fellows and for the Butler Fellowship and the Spencer Fellowship. Students also are encouraged to seek outside fellowships and scholarships (e.g., NSF Graduate Research Fellowships).

Students are encouraged to pursue research opportunities outside of Athens, when appropriate and in consultation with their committees.

Students are encouraged to pursue internship opportunities which will facilitate their professional development.

Students are encouraged to present their research at conferences, professional meetings, and symposia. The Odum School of Ecology and the Graduate School have funds available to defray travel expenses for students who present their research at conferences. Students also are encouraged to write grant proposals to help fund their research and to develop grant-writing skills.

Graduate Student Organization (GSO) is the primary group that organizes and represents graduate students in the Odum School of Ecology. EcoReach focuses on outreach to K-12 grades through presentations and activities designed to heighten awareness of ecology and environmental issues. STEMZone is an outreach event that focuses on community science education and occurs during home football games.

Other programs in the Odum School of Ecology include: Ecology Ph.D. Integrative Conservation Ph.D. - Ecology