Doctor of Philosophy in Evolution and Behaviour

Students in this program are normally supervised by Faculty members in the following contributing departmentsareas: Biological Sciences, Neuroscience, and Psychology. Research in this program focuses on the evolutionary processes responsible for shaping functionally organised behaviours in a wide variety of organisms. The research targets a range of different behaviours that address the critical life challenges facing these organisms, such as finding food and avoiding predators, attracting and selecting mates, rearing offspring, and negotiating extended networks of social relationships. The emphasis of the research is to examine the potential adaptive basis of different behaviour patterns and understand the underlying genetic, anatomical, physiological, and psychological mechanisms that guide them and their interactions with environmental processes. Research methods involve studying the behaviour of species in their natural habitats and complementary experimental studies conducted under controlled laboratory settings.

Applicants holding a Master of Arts or Master of Science must meet the following minimum requirements before the University will consider admission:

1. A master's degree, or its academic equivalent, in the discipline of interest or in a closely cognate discipline from a recognized degree-granting university.

2. Evidence of scholarly competence (cumulative grade point average of 3.50, on a 4.00 scale, on all graded master's-level courses).

Acceptable evidence of ELP for graduate studies may be any one of:

• Successful completion of a baccalaureate or master’s degree at a recognized institution where the language of instruction is English and the student’s work is in English
• Successful completion of the Advanced Level, English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program at the University of Lethbridge
• Most recent official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score a paper-based TOEFL of at least 580 and a TWE (Test of Written English) score of 5.0; a computer-based TOEFL of at least 93.
• Most recent official Academic PTE (Pearson Test of English) score, taken within the last two years, with an overall score of at least 63.
• Most recent official CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language) Assessment score of 70 or higher