Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Osborn Memorial Laboratories, 432.3837, www.eeb.yale.edu
M.S., Ph.D.
Chair
Stephen Stearns
Director of Graduate Studies
Günter Wagner
Professors
Leo Buss, Michael Donoghue, Jacques Gauthier (Geology & Geophysics), Willard Hartman (Emeritus), Vivian Irish (Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology), Gene Likens (Cary Arboretum), Alvin Novick, Jeffrey Powell, Charles Remington (Emeritus), Oswald Schmitz (Forestry & Environmental Studies), Stephen Stearns, J. Rimas Vaisnys (Electrical Engineering), Günter Wagner
Associate Professors
Junhyong Kim, Sean Rice, Margaret Riley, Anne Yoder
Assistant Professors
David Post, David Skelly (Forestry & Environmental Studies), Paul Turner
Lecturers
Adalgisa Caccone, Ashley Carter, Theodora Pinou, Nancy Rosenbaum, Marta Martinez Wells
Fields of Study
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) offers training programs in organismal biology, ecology, and evolutionary biology including molecular evolution, phylogeny, molecular population genetics, developmental evolution, and evolutionary theory.
Special Admissions Requirements
Applicants should have had training in one of the following fields: biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, statistics, and/or geology. Candidates are selected, regardless of their major, based on overall preparation for a career in research in ecology and evolutionary biology. Some, planning for careers in applied fields, may have prepared with courses in public policy, economics, and agriculture.
Special Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
Each entering student, in consultation with the director of graduate studies, develops a specific program of courses, seminars, laboratory research, and independent reading tailored to the student's interests, background, and goals. There are normally no foreign language requirements. Each student is required to undertake laboratory research in the form of two research rotations in the first year. Students must also attend a survey course in methods and research design and participate in (1) a program of ethics of research and authorship; (2) weekly EEB seminars; and (3) symposia of faculty and graduate student research. In addition, graduate students must enroll in a minimum of three additional graduate-level courses (numbered 500 and above) during their first two years of study. All students are required to teach two courses during their first two years of study.
In the third term of study each student takes a comprehensive examination in ecology and evolutionary biology. By the end of the third term, each student organizes a formal preprospectus consultative meeting with his/her advisory committee to discuss the planned dissertation research. By the end of the fourth term, students present and defend their planned dissertation research at a prospectus meeting, where the department determines the viability and appropriateness of the student's Ph.D. proposal. A successful prospectus meeting and completion of course requirements result in candidacy for the Ph.D. The remaining requirements include completion, presentation, and successful defense of the dissertation, and submission of copies of the dissertation to the Graduate School and to the Kline Science Library.
Teaching experience is regarded as an integral part of the graduate training program. All students are required to serve as teaching fellows for two terms, normally at the Teaching Fellow 2 level. This teaching is typically done during the first two years of study.
Honors Requirement
Students must meet the Graduate School's requirement of Honors in two courses by the end of the fourth term of study. The EEB department also requires an average grade of at least High Pass in course work during the first two years of study.
Master's Degrees
M.S. (en route to the Ph.D.). Satisfactory completion of the first two years of study leading to the Ph.D. up to, but not necessarily including, the prospectus.
Additional material providing information on the department, faculty, courses, and facilities is available from Maureen Cunningham, Office of the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, PO Box 208106, New Haven CT 06520-8106 (maureen.cunningham@yale.edu).
Courses
E&EB 501a, Methods and Research Design. Staff. 3 HTBA
This course provides an introduction to the methods and approaches generic to most research in the biological sciences. Topics include quantification and measurement, data analysis, sequence analysis, phylogenetic reconstruction and the comparative method, morphometrics, experimental design, presentation of results, and grant writing. This course is required for all first-year EEB students.
E&EB 510au, Introduction to Statistics: Life Sciences. Joseph Chang, Ashley Carter. TTh 1–2.15
Statistical and probabilistic analysis of biological problems is presented with a unified foundation in basic statistical theory. A general lecture covering statistical theory and a discipline-based lecture covering statistical modeling of biological problems drawn from genetics, ecology, epidemiology, and bioinformatics. Graduate students are expected to finish a course project in addition to regular homework and exams. Also STAT 501au.
E&EB 515au, Conservation Biology and the Environment. Jeffrey Powell, David Skelly, Stephen Stearns. MW 10.30–11.20, 1 HTBA
An introduction to the basic ecological and evolutionary principles underpinning efforts to conserve the earth's biodiversity. These principles are then examined in the context of efforts to halt the rapidly increasing disappearance of both plants and animals. Case studies are examined in detail. While some sociological and economic issues are discussed, the emphasis is on the biological aspects of these crucial problems.
E&EB 520au, Population Ecology. Ashley Carter. MWF 10.30–11.20
An introduction to the theoretical context and empirical grounding of the science of population ecology. Emphasis is placed on the determinants of patterns of distribution and abundance from demographic and population perspectives. Animal behavior is treated in an ecological context, as exemplars of life history consequences of demography, and as modulators of competitive and predatory responses.
E&EB 525bu, Evolutionary Biology. Jeffrey Powell, Paul Turner, Günter Wagner. MWF 9.30–10.20
An introduction to the study of evolution from both a macro- and microevolutionary perspective. Principles of population genetics, systematics, paleontology, and molecular evolution are addressed as well as application of evolutionary thinking to issues in animal behavior, ecology, and molecular biology.
E&EB 526Lbu, Laboratory for Evolutionary Biology. Marta Martinez Wells. Th 1
The companion laboratory to E&EB 525b. Study of patterns and processes of evolution, including collection and interpretation of molecular and morphological data in a phylogenetic context. Focus on methods of analysis of species-level and population-level variation in natural populations.
E&EB 530au, Field Ecology. Theodora Pinou. Th 1–5
A field-based introduction to methodology used by ecologists in field studies. Descriptive studies, comparative analysis, modeling, and experimental approaches are explored using class or small-group projects relevant to major topics in ecology.
E&EB 540au, AIDS and Society. Alvin Novick. MWF 10.30–11.20
The natural history, biology, and epidemiology of AIDS; social, ethical, public policy, and political aspects of AIDS and of the ways societies address a medical crisis.
E&EB 540bu, Animal Behavior. Marta Martinez Wells. MW 11.30–12.45
An introduction to animal behavior, including proximate causes, development, and control of behavior; communication; mating systems and sexual selection; and the evolution of social systems.
E&EB 545bu, Problems in Bioethics. TTh 9–10.15
A consideration of social and ethical problems raised by advances in biological and medical research. Several timely topics examined in depth, with frequent student oral reports.
E&EB 550au, Biology of Terrestrial Arthropods. Marta Martinez Wells. TTh 11.30–12.45
Evolutionary history and diversity of terrestrial arthropods (body plan, phylogenetic relations, fossil record); physiology and functional morphology (water relations, thermoregulation, energetics of flying and singing); reproduction (biology of reproduction, life cycles, metamorphosis, parental care); behavior (migration, communication, mating systems, evolution of sociality); ecology (parasitism, mutualism, predator-prey interactions, competition, plant-insect interactions).
E&EB 551Lau, Laboratory for Biology of Terrestrial Arthropods. Marta Martinez Wells. W 1.30
E&EB 555bu, The Invertebrates. Leo Buss. TTh 11.30–12.45
The biology and paleobiology of invertebrates, including the diversity of body plans, comparative development, phylogeny, and functional morphology.
E&EB 556Lbu, Laboratory for the Invertebrates. Leo Buss. T 1.45
Comparative functional morphology of selected invertebrate phyla, with demonstrations of diversity within phyla.
[E&EB 560bu, The Vertebrates.]
[E&EB 561Lbu, Laboratory for the Vertebrates.]
[E&EB 565au, The Biology of Birds.]
[E&EB 566Lau, Laboratory for the Biology of Birds.]
[E&EB 570bu, Herpetology.]
[E&EB 571Lbu, Laboratory for Herpetology.]
E&EB 575bu, Evolution of the Mammals. Anne Yoder. TTh 2–3.45
Review of the evolutionary history and defining characteristics of mammals. Topics include the fossil record, phylogenetic reconstruction, morphological transitions, and ecological and physiological specializations. Topics are viewed in a synthetic context that presents mammalian characteristics as solutions to a variety of evolutionary challenges.
E&EB 576Lbu, Laboratory for Evolution of the Mammals. Anne Yoder. W 1.30
Review of the morphological characteristics of living mammals. Examinations of representative skeletons and skins for all major mammalian groups. A comparative study of morphological transitions and specializations within and among groups.
E&EB 601a, Biocomplexity. Günter Wagner. M 4–5.30
This course provides an introduciton into the emerging field of biocomplexity in a mixed lecture/seminar format. Biocomplexity combines insights from biological research with modeling approaches and ideas from computer science and physics to gain a better understanding of the organization and dynamics of biological systems. The main emphasis in this course is on the following topics: complexity and predictability, measurement theory, modularity and decomposability of complex systems, landscape theory, and theory of complex adaptations.
[E&EB 610bu, Evolutionary Genetics.]
E&EB 615Lbu, Laboratory in Molecular Systematics. Adalgisa Caccone. T 1.30–5.30
A practical introduction to molecular techniques used in systematics (DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing) and their application to field studies in natural history, population genetics, mating systems, paternity, and the historical analysis of lineages. Research projects apply the methodologies.
E&EB 620au, Seminar in Conservation Genetics. Adalgisa Caccone. T 3.30–5.30
Provides an introduction to conservation genetics for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. The goal is to provide students with an understanding of the importance of genetic diversity and the means for preserving it. Also F&ES 588au.
[E&EB 628au, Comparative Physiology.]
[E&EB 629Lau, Laboratory for Comparative Physiology.]
[E&EB 650bu, Plant Ecology.]
[E&EB 651Lbu, Laboratory for Plant Ecology.]
E&EB 660bu, Wildlife Conservation Ecology. Oswald Schmitz.
The study of wildlife ecology from an evolutionary ecological perspective to understand the behavior and life history of animals. The course explores how behavior and life history evolve and what factors ultimately shape population demography. The course examines behavioral and evolutionary ecological theories like optimal activity budgets; optimal foraging; and habitat choice in the context of age and stage-based models of population dynamics. The course links an understanding of animal behavior and life history to solving current conservation problems related to wildlife habitat loss and population viability. Three hours lecture and one hour discussion. Also F&ES 560bu.
E&EB 665au, Landscape Ecology. David Skelly.
An introduction to the study of large-scale ecological patterns and processes. Through lectures and the completion of a project, students learn how to integrate a spatial perspective into consideration of major ecological questions. Also F&ES 760au.
E&EB 670au, Aquatic Ecology. David Skelly. T 1–2.30
An intensive introduction to the ecology of populations and communities in freshwater systems. The aim is to learn the concepts, patterns, and organisms important in lakes and streams along with the major techniques of information collection and analysis. Weekly field trips are used to gather data that form the basis of lab exercises and research projects. The course presumes familiarity with ecological concepts and terminology. Permission of the instructor required. Also F&ES 509au.
E&EB 671Lau, Laboratory for Aquatic Ecology. David Skelly. Th 1–5
[E&EB 675au, Molecular Approaches to Systematics, Conservation Genetics, and Behavioral Ecology.]
E&EB 680a, Advanced Introduction to Evolutionary Theory. Stephen Stearns. TTh 10.30–11.20, 1 HTBA
Advanced discussion of life history evolution, sex allocation theory, the evolution of sex, the evolution of phenotypic plasticity, and evolutionary conflict theory. Instructors give introductory lectures; students pick topics and present lectures themselves.
E&EB 685bu, Evolutionary Developmental Biology. Günter Wagner, Vivian Irish, Michael Donoghue. TTh 1–2.15
This course is an introduction into an emerging biological discipline, evolutionary developmental biology. The course provides an introduction to the evolutionary biology of developmental processes as well as the developmental underpinnings of major evolutionary transformations. Topics include the evolution of Hox genes and other developmental genes, the origin of multicellular organisms, the evolution of flowers, and the origin of the arthropod and vertebrate Bauplan. The course has a mixed lecture/seminar format and thus engages the student to do independent study and prepare papers. Entering graduate students are expected to complete a unique research project and present in a lecture format to the class. Also MCDB 685bu.
[E&EB 800b, Computational Analysis of Biological Information.]
[E&EB 808a, Topics in the Statistical Analysis of Genomic Data.]
E&EB 810a, Dynamics of Evolving Systems. J. Rimas Vaisnys. TTh 11.30–12.45
An introduction to the ways in which the structure and behavior of evolving biological systems can be described, modeled, and analyzed. Examination of model systems as well as modeling of laboratory and field phenomena.
[E&EB 827b, Advanced Topics of Computational Biology: Emergence and Evolutionary Innovation.]
[E&EB 845a, Advanced Evolutionary Theory.]
E&EB 900a–b, First-Year Introduction to Research and Rotations. Margaret Riley.
E&EB 950a or b, Second-Year Research.
By arrangement with faculty.
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