Ecology - Plants, Soils and Climate - MS

Graduate Programs in Ecology

Ecology degree programs at Utah State University are administered by the interdepartmental Ecology Center. Students earn their degrees in Ecology while maintaining residence in one of the participating home departments (BIOL, ENVS, PSC, WATS, WILD). The Ecology Center itself does not directly admit students or grant degrees. Students must first apply to and be admitted to one of the Ecology Center’s participating home departments, and then they can opt to major in Ecology in accordance with their faculty advisor and graduate program coordinator.

 Interdepartmental Program in Ecology

The Ecology Center aims to promote research and graduate education in ecology and to provide expert, professional information and advice for decision-makers. The research carried out by the center’s associates covers the full spectrum of ecology.

Director: Dr. Peter Adler

Location: Natural Resources 208B

E-mail: peter.adler@usu.edu

Correspondence for catalog questions should be sent to the Ecology Center/CAS Program Coordinator:

Program Coordinator: Dr. Lexi Turano

Location: Natural Resources 208

Phone: (435) 797-2555

E-mail: alexandra.turano@usu.edu

 Department of Plants, Soils and Climate

The Department of Plants, Soils and Climate offers an M.S. degree in Ecology administered by the interdepartmental Ecology Center. Students must be Plan A (Thesis) to complete the Ecology degree; Plan B (non-Thesis) students are not eligible to major in Ecology.

Ecology majors who are housed in the Department of Plants, Soils and Climate also have the option of adding a specialization in Climate Adaptation Science. For this optional specialization, please see the Climate Adaptation Science Specialization page.

Prior to applying, the potential applicant must have a qualified PSC faculty member agree to accept them into their laboratory and be their major (supervisory) professor. Contact Dr. Jeanette Norton with questions - jeanette.norton@usu.edu

General Requirements

All prospective graduate students must apply through the School of Graduate Studies. Refer to the School of Graduate Studies website for admission requirements. Please note that all applicants must meet the following general admission requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college

• A 3.0 GPA as calculated by the School of Graduate Studies. An official transcript must be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies from each college or university previously attended (except USU).

• Student recommendation request forms (included in application materials) should be used to request three people to submit letters of recommendation directly to the graduate school. Two letters of recommendation should be from faculty from whom you have taken course work.

• International Students: Please visit the School of Graduate Studies website for requirements.​​​​​​​