Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Graduate study in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is designed to lead to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The special areas of strength in the department are evolution and genomics, ecology and the environment, behavior and organismal biology, conservation biology, and infectious disease. The interests and research of faculty range widely over these areas so that incoming students are able to select their adviser from among several professors working in their chosen discipline. Graduate students also have excellent opportunities for combining several areas for innovative interdisciplinary work. The graduate program is designed to develop both the breadth and depth of understanding that will enable graduates of the department to respond to future advances in the field. At the same time, students acquire the detailed knowledge and techniques needed to become effective scientists. Each student is guided in developing a comprehensive but flexible course of preparation that is designed to meet their educational needs and goals.

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate School applicants must, before they are enrolled, hold a bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent from an accredited college or university. (Foreign equivalents may in some cases have a normal program length that is shorter or longer than four years. No degree that has a normal program length shorter than three years will be considered equivalent to a bachelor's degree.)

Admitted students who score below an 8.0 on the speaking subsection of the IELTS will be required to take an English placement test at Princeton.

Masters applicants who are required to take the TOEFL must score a minimum of 28 on the spoken part of the TOEFL in order to be considered for the program.

Application Deadline: December 1.