Curriculum & Courses
The GDPE curriculum is designed to balance providing the fundamentals of ecology that unite students in our program with allowing customization for each student’s individualized scholarly pursuits. There are four courses required of all MS and PhD students: Foundations of Ecology (ECOL 505), Distinguished Ecologists Lecture Series (ECOL 571), Interdisciplinary Seminars in Ecology (ECOL 592), and Research Seminar (ECOL 693). These required courses provide the common foundation for all GDPE students and ensure that all students engage in key intellectual opportunities within the program. The many different electives available allow students to specialize and customize their individual MS or PhD degree.
More information on specific course availability throughout the year can be found in the CSU Catalog.
If you have questions about specific non-ECOL courses listed below, please reach out to the department or instructor directly.
Recommendations for First Years:
(Fall): ECOL 505 – Ecology Fundamentals
(Spring): ECOL 693 – Research Seminars for Professional Communication
Continuous Registration:
(Fall): CRN #64943
(Spring): CRN #15551
(Summer): CRN #64943
M.S. in Ecology
M.S. in Ecology – Minimum of 30 Credits required to complete this program
- Must take all Required Courses (6 Credits)
- Ecology Fundamentals (6 Credits not taken elsewhere in the program)
- Ecology Tools (3 Credits not taken elsewhere in the program)
- Additional Electives, Research, Thesis, and/or Independent Study (15 Credits)
M.S. – GS6 GDPE Program of Study Supplemental
M.S. in Ecology – CSU Catalog
Timeline for the MS
- Semester 1. Discuss with the Advisor a plan of coursework and enroll in first courses. Discuss potential graduate committee members, and a plan for the dissertation or thesis project. Review the literature on the thesis/dissertation topic.
- Semester 2. Select graduate committee members, prepare research proposal, and hold committee meeting to approve research study plan. Submit GS-6 form to GDPE for review and approval and then submit to the Graduate School. Initiate research and data collection.
- Semester 3. Perform data analysis from research activities.
- Semester 4. Complete research, begin to write thesis and a draft manuscript from the research for a professional journal.
- Semester 4+. Complete thesis and defend, and submit manuscript for publication in a professional journal.
Ph.D. in Ecology
Ph.D. in Ecology – Minimum of 72 Credits required to complete this program
- Must take all Required Courses (8 Credits)
- Ecology Fundamentals (6 Credits not taken elsewhere in the program)
- Ecology Tools (3 Credits not taken elsewhere in the program)
- Additional Electives, Research, Dissertation, and/or Independent Study (55 Credits)
Ph.D. – GS6 GDPE Program of Study Supplemental
Ph.D. in Ecology – CSU Catalog
Timeline for the PhD
- Semester 1. Discuss with the Advisor a plan of coursework and enroll in first courses. Discuss potential graduate committee members, and a plan for the dissertation or thesis project. Review the literature on the thesis/dissertation topic.
- Semester 2. Select committee members and hold an initial committee meeting to agree on the plan of coursework and discuss the thesis/dissertation topic and research approach. Develop a draft GS-6 form to discuss with Advisor. Initiate research and data collection.
- Semester 3. Complete research proposal. Complete GS6. Hold a formal committee meeting to gain approval of GS6 and proposal from the committee. Submit GS6 to GDPE for review and approval and then submit to Graduate School. Perform data analysis from research activities.
- Semester 4. Present to-date research results at a professional meeting.
- Semester 5. Take written and oral comprehensive exams (pre-lims).
- Semester 6. Analyze project data to date and prepare manuscripts for publication, and present results at professional meeting.
- Semester 7+. Complete coursework dissertation chapters and defend dissertation in public seminar held in home department. Write manuscripts from dissertation and present key findings at a professional meeting.
Previously completed Master’s
Please refer to the Graduate School’s website for current details on credits that apply from a previously earned Master’s degree.
- MS in Ecology with GDPE: Students may apply courses taken during their MS toward fulfilling the PhD course requirements with the exception of ECOL571 and ECOL592. These must be retaken.
- MS from CSU: If students transition immediately from a MS to a PhD, they may apply all of their MS credits toward fulfilling the Graduate School’s 72-credit requirement. If there is one semester or more in between degree plans, students can apply up to 30 credits from their MS to their PhD credit requirements.
- MS from another Institution:
- University credit requirements: 30 credits may be applied toward fulfilling the Graduate School’s 72-credit requirement. These will be applied as a single lump sum when the Program of Study is submitted during a student’s 3rd semester. Refer to the Graduate School’s website for details.
- GDPE course requirements: Students may request to have specific course requirements waived if they have taken analogous, graduate-level, courses during their MS. More details can be found on the GDPE Course Substitution Petition. Note that students are still responsible for fulfilling university credit requirements.
Ph.D. in Ecology, Human-Environment Interactions Specialization
Ph.D. in Ecology, Human-Environment Interactions Specialization –
Minimum of 72 Credits required to complete this program
- Must take all Required Courses, plus ANTH530 (11 Credits)
- Ecology Fundamentals (6 Credits minimum)
- Human-Environment Interactions Fundamentals (3 Credits minimum)
- Ecology Tools (3 Credits minimum)
- Qualitative Ecology Tools (3 Credits minimum)
- Additional Electives and Independent Study (46 Credits)
Ph.D. HEI – GS6 GDPE Program of Study Supplemental
Ph.D. in Ecology, HEI – CSU Catalog
Timeline for the PhD
- Semester 1. Discuss with the Advisor a plan of coursework and enroll in first courses. Discuss potential graduate committee members, and a plan for the dissertation or thesis project. Review the literature on the thesis/dissertation topic.
- Semester 2. Select committee members and hold an initial committee meeting to agree on the plan of coursework and discuss the thesis/dissertation topic and research approach. Develop a draft GS-6 form to discuss with Advisor. Initiate research and data collection.
- Semester 3. Complete research proposal. Complete GS6. Hold a formal committee meeting to gain approval of GS6 and proposal from the committee. Submit GS6 to GDPE for review and approval and then submit to Graduate School. Perform data analysis from research activities.
- Semester 4. Present to-date research results at a professional meeting.
- Semester 5. Take written and oral comprehensive exams (pre-lims).
- Semester 6. Analyze project data to date and prepare manuscripts for publication, and present results at professional meeting.
- Semester 7+. Complete coursework dissertation chapters and defend dissertation in public seminar held in home department. Write manuscripts from dissertation and present key findings at a professional meeting.
Required &Fundamental Course
Required Courses (MS – 6 credits, PhD – 8 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECOL 505 | Foundations of Ecology | 3 |
| ECOL 571 | Distinguished Ecologists Lecture Series (MS – 1 credit, PhD – 2 credits) | 1-2 |
| ECOL 592 | Interdisciplinary Seminars in Ecology (MS – 1 course, PhD – 2 courses) | 1-3 |
| ECOL 693 | Research Seminars for Professional Communication (written or oral) | 1 |
Ecology Fundamentals (MS & PhD – 6 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BZ525 | Advanced Conservation & Evolutionary Genomics | 4 |
| BZ526/BSPM526 | Evolutionary Ecology | 3 |
| BZ535 | Behavioral Ecology | 3 |
| BZ548 | Theory of Population and Evolutionary Ecology | 4 |
| BZ578/MIP578 | Genetics of Natural Populations | 4 |
| ECOL600 | Community Ecology | 3 |
| ECOL610 | Ecosystem Ecology | 3 |
| ECOL620 | Applications in Landscape Ecology | 4 |
| ESS 660 | Biogeochemical Cycling | 3 |
| ESS575 | Models for Ecological Data | 4 |
| FW662 | Wildlife Population Dynamics | 3 |
| HORT576 | Advanced Environmental Plant Stress Physiology | 4 |
Ecology Tool Courses
Ecology Tools (MS & PhD – 3 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AREC535 | Applied Econometrics | 3 |
| AREC635 | Econometric Theory I | 3 |
| AREC735 | Econometric Theory II | 3 |
| BZ548 | Theory of Population and Evolutionary Ecology | 4 |
| BZ577/MIP577 | Computer Analysis in Population Genetics | 2 |
| CIVE/WR524 | Modeling Watershed Hydrology | 3 |
| ERHS 544/STAT 544 | Biostatistical Methods for Quantitative Data | 3 |
| ESS655 | Multivariate Analysis for Community Ecology | 2 |
| ESS565 | Niche Models | 4 |
| ESS 575 | Models for Ecological Data | 4 |
| FW551 | Design of Fish and Wildlife Studies | 3 |
| FW552 | Applied Sampling for Wildlife/Fish Studies | 3 |
| FW663 | Sampling and Analysis of Vertebrate Populations | 5 |
| FW673/STAT673 | Hierarchical Modeling in Ecology | 3 |
| GR503/NR503 | Remote Sensing and Image Analysis | 4 |
| MATH530 | Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers | 4 |
| MATH540 | Dynamical Systems | 3 |
| NR505 | Concepts in GIS | 4 |
| NR506 | GIS Methods for Resource Management | 4 |
| NR512 | Spatial Statistical Modeling-Natural Resources | 3 |
| NR523/STAT523 | Quantitative Spatial Analysis | 3 |
| NR554/ANTH554 | Ecological and Social Agent-based Modeling | 3 |
| NR621 | Design of Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| NRRT765 | Applied Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| SOCR522 | Micrometeorology | 3 |
| SOCR620 | Modeling Ecosystem Biogeochemistry | 3 |
| SOCR670 | Terrestrial Ecosystems Isotope Ecology | 3 |
| STAT511 | Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I | 4 |
| STAT512 | Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II | 4 |
| STAT520 | Introduction to Probability Theory | 4 |
| STAT521 | Stochastic Processes I | 3 |
| STAT530 | Mathematical Statistics | 3 |
| STAT540 | Data Analysis and Regression | 3 |
| STAT560 | Applied Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 675A | Topics in Statistical Methods: Sampling | 1-3 |
| STAT 675B | Topics in Statistical Methods: Design | 1-3 |
| STAT 675C | Topics in Statistical Methods: Multivariate and Regression Methods | 1-3 |
| STAT 675D | Topics in Statistical Methods: Computer Intensive Methods | 1-3 |
| STAT 675F | Topics in Statistical Methods: Robustness and Nonparametric Methods | 1-3 |
| WR674 | Data Issues in Hydrology | 3 |
Elective Courses
Additional Electives (MS – 15 credits, PhD – 55 credits)
* Note that any “Fundamental” or “Tools” course can be used as an “Additional Electives” course if it has not been used to fulfill another requirement| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 530 | Human Environment Interactions | 3 |
| AREC505 | Agricultural Production Economics | 3 |
| AREC535 | Applied Econometrics | 3 |
| AREC540 | Economics of Natural Resources | 3 |
| AREC541 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| AREC635 | Econometric Theory I | 3 |
| ATS680 | Land-Atmosphere Interactions | 2 |
| ATS760 | Global Carbon Cycle | 2 |
| BSPM509 | Herbicide Selectivity and Action | 3 |
| BSPM523 | Evolution and Classification of Insects | 4 |
| BSPM528 | Invasive Plants and Weeds: Ecosystems to Molecules | 3 |
| BSPM556 | Biological Control of Plant Pests | 3 |
| BSPM570 | Chemical Ecology | 3 |
| BZ 561 | Landscape Ecology | 3 |
| BZ505 | Cognitive Ecology | 3 |
| BZ510 | Zoophysiological Ecology | 3 |
| BZ525 | Molecular Ecology | 4 |
| BZ526/BSPM526 | Evolutionary Ecology | 3 |
| BZ530 | Ecological Plant Morphology | 2 |
| BZ535 | Behavioral Ecology | 3 |
| BZ548 | Theory of Population and Evolutionary Ecology | 4 |
| BZ555 | Reproductive Biology of Higher Plants | 3 |
| BZ572 | Phytoremediation | 3 |
| BZ578/MIP578 | Genetics of Natural Populations | 4 |
| BZ580 | The Biological Basis of Behavior | 4 |
| BZ580 A3 | Scientific Basis for Freshwater Sustainability | 3 |
| BZ568/FW568 | Sustaining River Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Dynamically Changing World | 3 |
| ECOL600 | Population and Community Ecology | 3 |
| ECOL610 | Ecosystem Ecology | 3 |
| ECOL620 | Applications in Landscape Ecology | 4 |
| ESS 660 | Biogeochemical Cycling | 3 |
| ESS524 | Foundations for Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Management | 3 |
| F610 | Advance Forest Ecology | 3 |
| F624 | Fire Ecology | 3 |
| FW544 | Ecotoxicology | 3 |
| FW555 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| FW558 | Conservation Genetics of Wild Populations (on-line) | 3 |
| FW567 | Wildlife Disease Ecology | 3 |
| FW605 | Advanced Physiological Ecology of Fishes | 4 |
| FW662 | Wildlife Population Dynamics | 3 |
| FW696B | Wildlife Biology: Bioacoustics | 3 |
| GEO652 | Fluvial Geomorphology | 3 |
| GEOL551 | Groundwater Modeling | 3 |
| GES520 | Issues in Global Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
| GR580 | Forests in a Warming World | 3 |
| HORT571 | Soil Plant Water Relations | 3 |
| HORT576 | Advanced Environmental Plant Stress Physiology | 4 |
| HORT601 | Current Topics in Root and Rhizoshpere Biology | 2 |
| MIP 624 | Advanced Topics in Microbial Ecology | 2 |
| MIP570 | Functional Genomics | 3 |
| NR504 | Computer Analysis of Remote Sensing Data | 4 |
| NR510 | Ecosystem Services: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| NR575 | Systems Ecology | 4 |
| NR578 | Ecology of Disturbed Lands | 3 |
| NR678 | Advanced Ecological Restoration | 4 |
| RS580 | Riparian Ecology and Management | 3 |
| RS630 | Ecology of Grasslands and Shrublands | 3 |
| SOCR540 | Soil-Plant-Nutrient Relationships | 3 |
| SOCR550 | Advanced Soil Genesis | 3 |
| SOCR567 | Environmental Soil Chemistry | 4 |
| SOCR755 | Advanced Soil Microbiology | 3 |
| SOCR770 | Advanced Soil Physics | 4 |
| STAR500-549* | Applied Stats for Researchers (STAR) | Varies |
| STAT580A2 | Design and Data Analysis for Bioinformatics | 3 |
| WR574 | Advanced Snow Hydrology | 4 |
| WR575 | Snow Hydrology Field Methods | 1 |
Human-Environment InteractionsCourses
Human-Environment Interactions Fundamentals
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 515 | Culture and Environment | 3 |
| ANTH 529 | Anthropology and Sustainable Development | 3 |
| ANTH 535 | Globalization and Culture Change | 3 |
| ANTH 540 | Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 545 | Global Mental Health–Theory and Method | 3 |
| ANTH 555 | Paleoindian Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTH 571 | Anthropology and Global Health | 3 |
| ANTH 572 | Human Origins | 3 |
| NR 625 | Community-Based Natural Resource Management | 3 |
| POLS 739 | International Environmental Politics | 3 |
| SOC 668 | Environmental Sociology | 3 |
Qualitative Ecology Tools
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDRM 704 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
| EDRM 706 | Analysis of Variance–Education Research | 3 |
| NRRT 665 | Survey Research and Analysis | 3 |
| POLS 621 | Qualitative Methods in Political Science | 3 |
| SOC 610 | Seminar in Methods of Qualitative Analysis | 3 |
Descriptions of ECOL Courses
For full course descriptions and offerings, please refer to the CSU Course Catalog
Adding non-regular credits can be confusing! Watch this helpful walk-through on How to add Independent Study/Research/Thesis/Dissertation Credits
Adding non-regular credits can be confusing! Watch this helpful walk-through on How to add Independent Study/Research/Thesis/Dissertation Credits
| Course | Course Title | Term | Course Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECOL 505 | Foundations of Ecology | Fall | Overview of the science of ecology; what questions are asked, how they are answered. Prerequisites: One course in ecology CRN: 60162 Credits: 3 | |
| ECOL 571 | Advanced Topics in Ecology Distinguished Ecologists Lecture Series | Spring | Current research topics presented and analyzed by visiting scientists. Attend each Distinguished Ecologist seminar during the semester for which you are registered. This course does not meet every week. Prerequisites: One course in ecological principles. Section 001 – MS students. CRN: 18219 Credits: 1; Section 002 – PhD students. CRN: 18220 Credits: 2; Section 003 (intermittently offered; verify prior to registration) – PhD students. – CRN: 21250 Credits: 2 | |
| ECOL 592 | Interdisciplinary Seminars in Ecology | Fall/Spring | Concepts and principles of basic and applied ecology in an interdisciplinary context. Specific topics vary. Prerequisites: One 300- or 400-level course in ecology. Course details and CRNs: ECOL592 Interdisciplinary Seminar Credits: 1 – 3 (vary based on section) | |
| ECOL 600 | Community Ecology Lecture | Spring | Current theories on the dynamics and regulation of populations and communities of organisms. Must enroll in a recitation section. Prerequisites: One course each on general ecology, calculus, and statistics. CRN: 20590 Credits: 3 Recitation: Section R01 – CRN: 20591; Section R02 – CRN: 20592 | |
| ECOL 610 | Ecosystem Ecology Lecture | Fall | Concepts, methods, issues in ecosystem science: energy and matter cycling, systems perspectives, simulation modeling, sustainability, global change. Must enroll in a recitation section. Prerequisites: LIFE 320 or any ECOL course. CRN: 66480 Credits: 3 Recitation: Section R01 – CRN: 66481 | |
| ECOL 620 | Applications in Landscape Ecology Lecture | Spring (Odd years only) | Spatial patterning of landscape elements and dynamics of ecological systems; spatial heterogeneity. Influence on biotic and abiotic processes. Prerequisites: Previous coursework in geographic information systems, ecology, statistics, and mathematics. CRN: 66478 Credits: 2 | |
| ECOL 693 | Research Seminars for Professional Communication (written or oral) | Spring | Critique of research programs, plans, and ecological theory. Prerequisites: Written consent of instructor. Section 001 – Enhancing oral presentation skills. CRN: 18231; Section 002 – Enhancing proposal writing skills. CRN: 18232; Section 003 (intermittently offered; verify prior to registration) – Enhancing proposal writing skills. CRN: 19376 Credits: 1 | |
| ECOL 695 | Independent Study | Fall/Spring/Summer | Requires a contract, thoroughly outlining the scope of the project, signed by student, instructor and and approved by the Director. Application accessible on the GDPE Forms webpage. Prerequisites: GDPE Approval Fall Semester CRN: 60575 Spring Semester CRN: 10371 Summer Semester CRN: 50821 Credits: 1- 18 | |
| ECOL 698 | Research | Fall/Spring/Summer | Fall Semester CRN: 60576 Spring Semester CRN: 10372 Summer Semester CRN: 50822 Credits: 1- 18 | |
| ECOL 699 | Thesis | Fall/Spring/Summer | Fall Semester CRN: 60277 Spring Semester CRN: 10373 Summer Semester CRN: 50823 Credits: 1- 18 | |
| ECOL 799 | Dissertation | Fall/Spring/Summer | Fall Semester CRN: 60578 Spring Semester CRN: 10374 Summer Semester CRN: 50824 Credits: 1- 18 | |
| Continuous Registration | Fall/Spring/Summer | Fall Semester CRN: 64943 Spring Semester CRN: 15551 Summer Semester CRN: 64943 Credits: n/a Further details on when to register for CR can be found at the Graduate School website. |
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