About the course

The program is intended to provide students with broad exposure to concepts and research approaches within ecology and evolution (primarily through seminars and formal course work), as well as in-depth study in one or more subdisciplines (normally guided by the student's Special Committee). The specific course of study is tailored to the needs of the individual student. Excellent laboratory and nearby field facilities are available, as are numerous collections and libraries. All students are required to obtain teaching experience by serving as teaching assistants for at least two semesters. Inquiries from prospective graduate students are welcomed and should be addressed to the graduate field office or to any member of the faculty.

　　Research in our department spans the micro- to macroevolution continuum and includes the evolution of genes and genomes, the developmental basis of evolutionary change, the interplay between ecology, behavior and evolution, and the origin, maintenance, and classification of diversity. Faculty in many other departments collaborate in a Cornell-wide program in evolutionary biology that is characterized by exceptional depth, breadth and balance. Evolutionary genetics and comparative genomics are now central to understanding evolutionary change. These approaches focus on the ways in which evolutionary processes shape patterns of genetic variation within and between species, the roles of natural and sexual selection in evolutionary change, and the genetic architecture of speciation and adaptation. New approaches in genomics and proteomics allow detailed analysis of how novel structures and functions arise, reveal past population histories and can help explain the current distributions of plants and animals. EEB faculty use these cutting-edge tools to study many complex systems and topics, including fertilization biology, immune function, organ development, sexual selection, behavior, patterns of diversification, and species interactions. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 6 Semester(s)Fees: US$62,400

Intake	Location
Fall (August), 2024	Ithaca
Fall (August), 2025	Ithaca

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for Cornell University

Students are accepted from a range of undergraduate majors from the natural sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and humanities. Our students' backgrounds are correspondingly varied: some enter the program directly following their undergraduate degree, others with a Masters degree or other post-undergraduate experience in research, consulting, the Peace Corps, Teach for America, etc.

　　University minimums for the iBT version of the TOEFL are: Writing, 20, Listening, 15, Reading, 20, Speaking, 22. You must receive the minimum score on each subsection.

　　The Graduate School requires an overall band score of a 7.0 or higher on the IELTS

　　three recommendations

　　Note: GRE test scores are no longer required for application to this program

　　Statement of Purpose

　　Please submit a statement of purpose that outlines your reasons for pursuing graduate research and explains your academic interests. General suggestions are available on the Cornell Graduate School admissions website. In addition, we request that you use headings for the following sections:

　　(1) Motivation (250 word limit): Introduce yourself, what are your personal motivations to come to graduate school, your short and long-term professional goals, and how did you get here?

　　(2) Academic background & preparation (400 words): Describe your academic training, skills, research experience, and accomplishments relevant to your future graduate work.

　　(3) Future research (400 words): What research questions would you like to explore as a graduate student? This is in no way binding, it is only intended to give us an indication of where your research interests and approaches are headed. If you have written a proposal for future research (e.g., NSF predoctoral fellowship), those ideas should be included here.

　　(4) Resiliency and overcoming challenges (250 words): Graduate school often requires independence, persistence, and resilience in the face of challenges, please share your perspectives or experiences in this regard.

　　(5) Importance of community, diversity, and inclusion (250 words): We strive to build a diverse and inclusive community, which strengthens our intellectual and collaborative department. We value hearing your perspectives or experiences in contributing to such efforts at any scale.

　　

English language requirements

　　7.0

　　Overall IELTS band score

　　Book IELTS

　　About IELTS

　　Practice and prepare

　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 77.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomesIf you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might want to explore pathway options at Cornell University. If you want to find out more, please speak to our counsellors.

　　Pathway options to study at this institution

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　20th / 1250

　　THE World ranking

　　

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