Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Osborn Memorial Laboratories, Rm 101, 165 Prospect Street, 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), Gene Likens (Cary Arboretum), Alvin Novick,
Jeffrey Powell (on leave), Charles Remington (Emeritus), Oswald
Schmitz (Forestry & Environmental Studies), Stephen Stearns,
J. Rimas Vaisnys (Electrical Engineering), Günter Wagner
Associate Professors
Vivian Irish (Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology),
Sean Rice, Margaret Riley, David Skelly (Forestry & Environmental
Studies; on leave), Anne Yoder (on leave [F])
Assistant Professors
David Post, Melinda Smith, Paul Turner
Lecturers
Adalgisa Caccone, L. Kealoha Freidenburg, Dianella Howarth,
Theodora Pinou, Nancy Rosenbaum, Marta Martinez Wells
Fields of Study
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
(E&EB) 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 the advanced research topics course E&EB 502 and
participate in (1) a program of ethics of research and authorship;
(2) weekly E&EB seminars; and (3) symposia of faculty
and graduate student research. In addition, during their first
two years of study, graduate students must enroll in a minimum
of three additional graduate-level courses (numbered 500 and
above). Teaching experience is regarded as an integral part
of the graduate training program. All students are required
to teach two courses, normally at the TF 2 level, 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 admission to 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.
In cases where the dissertation committee decides that preliminary
field work during the summer after the fourth term is necessary
prior to the prospectus, the prospectus meeting can be delayed
by one term. A request for a delay has to come from the dissertation
committee and needs to be approved by the DGS. In these exceptional
cases admission to candidacy may not be required for registration
for the third year of graduate 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 E&EB 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 502, Advanced Research Topics in Ecology
and Evolutionary Biology. Günter Wagner. MWF 10–12
This course is an introduction to cutting-edge research
topics in ecology and evolutionary biology. Each topic is
taught by a different faculty member who leads the course
for three weeks. At the end of each term the students are
expected to write a paper on a topic of their choice.
E&EB 510au, Introduction to Statistics: Life Sciences. John
Hartigan, Günter Wagner. 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.]
E&EB 520au, General Ecology. David Post. 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. Sean
Rice. TTh 11.30–12.45
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. W 1.30
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. David Post. 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.]
[E&EB 545bu, Problems in Bioethics.]
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
Comparative anatomy, dissections, identification, and
classifications of terrestrial arthropods; specimen collection;
field trips.
[E&EB 555bu, The Invertebrates.]
[E&EB 556Lbu, Laboratory for the Invertebrates.]
[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 567au, Biology of Fishes. L. Kealoha
Freidenburg. TTh 9–10.15
Topics include diversity, phylogenetic relationships,
functional morphology, physiology, life history, behavior,
ecology, and conservation.
E&EB 568Lau, Laboratory for Biology of Fishes. L.
Kealoha Freidenburg. T 1.30
Lab focuses on examination of morphology of living taxa
and field trips to local freshwater and marine environments.
[E&EB 570bu, Herpetology.]
[E&EB 571Lbu, Laboratory for Herpetology.]
E&EB 575bu, Evolution of the Mammals. Anne
Yoder. TTh 2.30–3.45
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. Examination 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.]
[E&EB 610bu, Evolutionary Genetics.]
E&EB 615Lau, Laboratory in Molecular Systematics. Adalgisa
Caccone. M 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 620bu, Seminar in Conservation Genetics.]
[E&EB 628au, Comparative Physiology.]
[E&EB 629Lau, Laboratory for Comparative Physiology.]
E&EB 646bu, Plant Diversity and Evolution. Dianella
Howarth. MW 9–10.15
In recent years great progress has been made toward understanding
the evolutionary relationships of plant lineages. This course
explores the relationships and characteristics of the major
plant groups including the green algae, mosses, ferns, conifers,
and flowering plants within a phylogenetic context. The course
addresses the depths of our understanding of ecology and development
in the formation of the complexity and diversity among these
plant groups. Students should have a general understanding
of introductory biology and evolution.
E&EB 647Lbu, Laboratory for Plant Diversity and
Evolution. Dianella Howarth. T 1
Laboratory sessions include local flora field research.
Labs include hands-on experience in the plant groups examined
in the course. Students should have a general understanding
of introductory biology and evolution.
[E&EB 650bu, Plant Ecology.]
[E&EB 651Lbu, Laboratory for Plant Ecology.]
E&EB 660bu, Wildlife Conservation Ecology. Oswald
Schmitz. 3 HTBA; discussion 2 HTBA
An exploration of the evolutionary ecological basis for
animal behavior and life history. Topics include how behavior
evolves and what factors ultimately shape animal decision
making and life histories; the link between animal behavior
and population dynamics (demographic models that translate
behavior into life-history strategies are used); and how environmental
perturbations influence animal life histories to alter population
structure and dynamics.
E&EB 665au, Landscape Ecology. Ofer Ovadia.
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.]
[E&EB 671Lau, Laboratory for Aquatic Ecology.]
E&EB 675bu, Molecular Approaches to Systematics,
Conservation Genetics, and Behavioral Ecology. M 3–5
[E&EB 680a, Advanced Introduction to Evolutionary
Theory.]
E&EB 685bu, Evolutionary Developmental Biology. Günter
Wagner, Vivian Irish, Kevin White. TTh 2.30–3.45
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 722b, Topics in Microbial Toxin Evolution and Ecology. Margaret
Riley. 3 HTBA
E&EB 728bu, Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases. Paul
Turner. TTh 11.30–12.45
Overview of the ecology and evolution of pathogens (bacteria,
viruses, protozoa) and their impact on host populations, one
of the greatest challenges facing humankind today. Scope is
comprehensive, including theoretical concepts, ecological
and evolutionary dynamics, molecular biology, and epidemiology
of ancient and emerging diseases. Relevant for pre-med and
medical students, as well as students in E&EB, F&ES,
and EPH. Also EMD 728b.
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 845a, Advanced Evolutionary Theory.]
E&EB 900a–b, First-Year Introduction to Research
and Rotations. Günter Wagner.
E&EB 930a, Seminar in Systematics. Jacques
Gauthier. 3 HTBA
Also G&G 703a.
E&EB 950a or b, Second-Year Research.
By arrangement with faculty.
Related
University Courses of Interest
EMD 630a, Modeling Infectious Diseases: Theory and Applications.
Edward Kaplan.
This course provides an introduction to some of the mathematical
modeling methods that have developed over the years for the
description and control of infectious diseases, and also considers
applications of such models to standard problems in epidemiology
(e.g., estimating disease incidence, determining the transmission
potential of an infectious agent) and more broadly in contemporary
public health (e.g., evaluating control options/intervention
programs for HIV, West Nile, SARS, potential bioterror agents
such as smallpox or anthrax, etc.). The course emphasizes
the formulation of basic models, the insight that derives
from the formal analysis of such models, and the translation
of such insights into the world of real problems. By the end
of the course, students will be able to formulate and solve
their own models for disease progression, transmission, and
control. Prerequisites: EMD 508 or permission of the instructor.
Familiarity with basic epidemiological principles and familiarity
with basic calculus, algebra, and probability theory.
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