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
Directors of Graduate Studies
Günter Wagner [F], Richard Prum [Sp]
Professors
Leo Buss (on leave [Sp]), Michael Donoghue, Jacques Gauthier (Geology & Geophysics), Willard Hartman (Emeritus), Gene Likens (Cary Arboretum), Alvin Novick, Jeffrey Powell, Richard Prum, Charles Remington (Emeritus), Oswald Schmitz (Forestry & Environmental Studies), Stephen Stearns, J. Rimas Vaisnys (Electrical Engineering), Günter Wagner (on leave [Sp])
Associate Professors
Vivian Irish (Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology), Sean Rice, David Skelly (Forestry & Environmental Studies), Anne Yoder
Assistant Professors
Suzanne Alonzo, David Post, Melinda Smith, Paul Turner (on leave)
Lecturers
Adalgisa Caccone, Dianella Howarth, 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 Degree
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; e-mail, 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. Jonathan Reuning-Scherer, 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 520au, General Ecology. David Post, Melinda Smith.
MWF 10.30–11.20
A broad consideration of the theory and practice of ecology, including the ecology of individuals, population dynamics and regulation, community structure, ecosystem function, and ecological interactions on broad spatial and temporal scales. Topics such as climate change, fisheries management, and infectious disease are placed in an ecological context.
E&EB 525bu, Evolutionary Biology. Jeffrey Powell, 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. Melinda Smith, David Post, Peter Raymond, Thomas Siccama.
Th 1–5
A field-based introduction to ecological research. Experimental and descriptive approaches, comparative analysis, and modeling are explored using field and small-group projects relevant to major topics in ecology. Concurrently with or after E&EB 220a or by permission of the instructor. Limited enrollment.
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 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 555au, The Invertebrates. Adolf Seilacher, Derek Briggs, Leo Buss.
MW 11.30–12.45
The biology and paleobiology of invertebrates, including the diversity of body plans, comparative development, phylogeny, and functional morphology. Also G&G 516au.
E&EB 556Lau, Laboratory for the Invertebrates. Adolf Seilacher, Derek Briggs, Leo Buss.
Th 1.30
Comparative functional morphology of selected invertebrate phyla, with demonstrations of diversity within phyla. Also G&G 517Lau.
E&EB 558au, Seminar in Invertebrate Zoology. Marta Martinez Wells.
M 1.30–5.20
[E&EB 567au, Biology of Fishes.]
[E&EB 568Lau, Laboratory for Biology of Fishes.]
E&EB 572bu, Ornithology. Richard Prum.
MWF 9.30–10.15
Structure, function, behavior, evolution, and diversity of birds. A general overview of avian biology and evolution. Topics include the evolutionary origin of birds, avian phylogeny, anatomy, physiology, neurobiology, behavior, breeding systems, and biogeography.
E&EB 573Lbu, Laboratory for Ornithology. Richard Prum.
MWF 9.30–10.20
Laboratory and field studies of avian morphology, diversity, phylogeny, classification, identi-fication, and behavior. Must be taken concurrently with E&EB 572bu.
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. Gisella Caccone.
T 3.30–5.20
An introduction to conservation genetics. The importance of genetic diversity and the means of preserving it.
E&EB 646bu, Plant Diversity and Evolution. Dianella Howarth.
MW 1–2.15
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 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. 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 1–2.15, lab Th 1–5
An intensive introduction to the ecology of populations and communities in freshwater systems. Concepts, patterns, and organisms important in lakes and streams; techniques of information collection and analysis. Weekly field trips to gather data.
[E&EB 671Lau, Laboratory for Aquatic Ecology.]
[E&EB 675bu, Molecular Approaches to Systematics, Conservation Genetics, and Behavioral Ecology.]
[E&EB 680a, Advanced Introduction to Evolutionary Theory.]
[E&EB 685bu, Evolutionary Developmental Biology.]
[E&EB 722b, Topics in Microbial Toxin Evolution and Ecology.]
[E&EB 728bu, Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases.]
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. Sean Rice.
TTh 4–6
A lecture course covering the mathematical and conceptual basis of the major branches of evolutionary theory, including traditional and emerging areas. Emphasis on the biological insights that are gained from the theory. Open to undergraduates with permission of the instructor.
E&EB 900a–b, First-Year Introduction to Research and Rotations. Günter Wagner [F], Richard Prum [Sp].
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 Course of Interest
EMD 630a, Modeling Infectious Diseases: Theory and Applications. Edward Kaplan.
This course provides an introduction to 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 and more broadly in contemporary public health. 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. Prerequisites: CDE/EMD 508a and permission of the instructor, or doctoral status.
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