Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Faculty Affiliation

Arts and Science

Degree Programs

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

MSc and PhD

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

• Environmental Studies
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, PhD
• Genome Biology and Bioinformatics
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, PhD

Overview

We in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) are a curious, inspired, and welcoming community of world-class scholars and advocates. We research, teach, and consult on all aspects of earth's organismal diversity, from genomes to ecosystems, and all plant, animal, and microbial species. Individual and collaborative research by members of the EEB department covers the range of the complementary disciplines of ecology and evolutionary biology, employing all technical approaches ranging across field work, lab work, molecular biology, bioinformatics, eco-informatics, computer simulation, statistics, and mathematical theory. Our research often involves study and synthesis across multiple levels of biological organization. Faculty research interests include population/community ecology, ecosystem/landscape ecology, evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, genetics, evolutionary genetics, genomics, molecular evolution, bioinformatics, behaviour, behaviour genetics, theoretical biology, plant biology, animal biology, taxonomy/systematics, developmental biology, anatomy, and physiology.

The main goal of our graduate programs is to train thoughtful, versatile scientists who (i) perform innovative, publication-quality research, (ii) think critically, (iii) have mastered skills specific to their fields, (iv) excel at conveying their ideas and results in both written and spoken formats, and (v) go on to productive careers in their areas of interest and expertise. We are training the next generation of scientists who will face pressing societal issues that must be solved by highly trained ecologists and evolutionary biologists. Graduate students are engaged in all aspects of research and departmental community. Community activities include reading and discussion groups, seminars, and social events. Other activities include workshops on writing papers, giving presentations, R and Python, and finding jobs — both academic and those outside of universities.

The EEB graduate program is home to over 60 faculty members specializing in ecology and evolution. Professors supervising graduate students are located on all three campuses of the University (St. George, Mississauga, Scarborough) as well as at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). The EEB department enjoys strong links with the Data Science Institute, the Centre for Global Change, the School of Cities, the School of the Environment, and the ROM. The Koffler Scientific Reserve, a nearby field station owned by the University, is dedicated to ecological and evolutionary research. The department also has partnerships with government agencies including the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry that helps provide access to infrastructure, including field and lab facilities in Algonquin Provincial Park, funding, and long-term data sets.

Contact and Address

Web: www.eeb.utoronto.ca
Email: gradadmin.eeb@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-7172
Fax: (416) 978-5878

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Toronto
Earth Sciences Centre
Room 3046, 25 Willcocks Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2
Canada

The main goal of the MSc program is to provide students with the opportunity to design, conduct, and write up a substantial independent research project. Students' projects cover the full range of topics listed in the Overview (above) and may include field work, lab work, molecular biology, bioinformatics, eco-informatics, computer simulations, statistics, and/or mathematical theory. MSc students must demonstrate competence in independent research and will conduct research with the goal of authoring or co-authoring a scientific publication. MSc graduates from our program go on to a wide range of careers including jobs in government agencies, data science, teaching, consulting, and higher education.

The main goal of the PhD program is to provide students with the opportunity to design, conduct, and write about a collection of substantial, inter-related, independent research projects. Students' projects cover the full range of topics listed in the Overview (above) and may include field work, lab work, molecular biology, bioinformatics, eco-informatics, statistics, mathematical theory, computer simulations, or some combination of these approaches.

• PhD students are expected to complete an original independent research program that makes substantial and innovative contributions to their field of research. It is expected that PhD candidates will publish multiple primary scientific articles based on their research.

• A thesis is completed under the direction of the student's supervisor(s), assisted by a supervisory (advisory) committee, and defended at an oral examination.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of a recognized MSc degree in ecology and evolutionary biology; 2) transfer from the University of Toronto's EEB MSc program; or 3) direct entry, typically following completion of a BSc degree.

Not all courses are offered every year. Please visit the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology website for a current list of course offerings including special topics courses.

Courses Offered at the Graduate Level Only

Graduate Courses With Significant Undergraduate Content

These courses will normally constitute only a minor component of the required credits.