The Department of Wildlife Ecology, College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and
Agriculture offers graduate study leading to a Master of Science in Wildlife Ecology,
a non-thesis Master of Wildlife Conservation, and a Ph.D. degree in Wildlife Ecology.
A broad range of ecosystems, modern laboratory facilities, and a diversified staff
provide excellent opportunities for graduate study in wildlife ecology. Emphasis
is placed on detailed studies of wildlife species and the habitats in which they
live. Research may be conducted in such areas as terrestrial and aquatic ecology,
physiology, behavior, population dynamics, resource management, and the influence
of environmental disturbances.
In addition to the Wildlife Ecology faculty, supporting staff represent disciplines
in Forest Ecosystem Sciences, Forestry, Biological Sciences, and Ecology. Personnel
from the U.S.G.S. Biological Research Division participate in the program as do
biologists with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The Maine
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, plays an important role in maintaining
a close liaison between the University and state and federal agencies. Many graduate
students participate in the research programs of these units.
Students are admitted to the graduate program in Wildlife Ecology on the basis
of their academic records, GRE scores, experience, and recommendations. All applications
are considered automatically for several teaching and research assistantships
available each year. These assistantships include stipends and payment of tuition.
Additional funding is available for research expenses on most projects. In general,
applications should be submitted by February 28 for admission in the fall semester;
however, all available assistantship positions are listed on our department webpage
and they may have specific deadlines.
In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School, the following requirements
must be met by graduate students in Wildlife Ecology:
Selection of the student’s advisory committee during the first semester to provide
program direction and aid in development of the student’s research proposal; completion
of a program of study during the first semester; completion of a detailed thesis
proposal prior to the beginning of the second semester.
All students should have finished coursework in the following subject areas either
in a previous program or prior to completion of the MS or MWC degree.
Biology-18 credits to include:
- Vertebrate Zoology (4 cr.)
- Invertebrate Zoology (3 cr.)
- Ecology (4 cr.)
- Botany (4 cr.)
Management-20 credits to include:
- Habitat Ecology and Management (3 cr.)
- Population Ecology and Management (3 cr.)
- Resource Economics and Policy (6 cr.)
- Management of Related Resources (3 cr.)
- Statistics (3 cr.)
At least 12 credits in the biology topics must be laboratory courses.
At least three courses of greater than or equal to 2 credits each must be from
the Department of Wildlife Ecology. Two of these courses must be at a 500 level
or greater.
M.S. candidates are required to complete at least 20 course credits.
MWC students must complete a 4-credit independent study on a topic selected by
the student and advisory committee and submit a formal report for approval by
the committee. Though this is not a thesis, it will require the review and quality
of presentation suitable for publication.
A comprehensive examination consisting of both written and oral sections is administered
to Ph.D. candidates after most of the student’s course work is completed.
All theses must be written in publication format and presented at a Department
seminar and defended during a final oral examination.
Each Ph.D. candidate also is required to undertake a program to broaden or extend
his or her knowledge in a discipline that is ancillary to wildlife ecology. A
suitable discipline will be selected by the candidate and his or her graduate
committee. Selection will be based on the candidate’s background and professional
aspirations. Suitable disciplines might include foreign languages, quaternary
studies, economics, biochemistry, physiology, geographic information systems (GIS),
or statistical theory. The level of effort of this endeavor should equal at least
six credit hours, but need not take the form of structured course work if a suitable
alternative is developed. Upon completion of this effort, the candidate will demonstrate
his or her proficiency to the graduate committee to fulfill this requirement.
All Ph.D. candidates are required to have at least one semester of teaching experience.
The credit hour requirement for doctoral students in Wildlife Ecology shall include
a minimum of 50 credit hours, which may include a maximum of 30 credit hours from
the master’s program. A minimum of 35 credit hours will be in course work, of
which 20 hours must be in graduate level (500/600) courses. Ph.D. students are
expected to be engaged in full-time work on their Ph.D. program for a minimum
of two full years; most programs last 3-4 years beyond the master’s degree.
For details about specific aspects of the program and the availability of assistantships,
write to the Chairperson, Department of Wildlife Ecology, College of Natural Sciences,
Forestry, and Agriculture, 210 Nutting Hall or visit the Department of Wildlife
Ecology webpage.
Frederick A. Servello, Ph.D. (Virginia Polytech Inst. and State Univ., 1985), Associate Professor
and Chair. Foraging ecology, habitat relationships of birds and mammals.
James R. Gilbert, Ph.D. (Idaho, 1974), Professor. Population dynamics, biometrics, big game,
and pinnipeds.
Daniel J. Harrison, Ph.D. (Maine, 1986), Professor. Carnivore ecology, habitat relationships, forestry
- wildlife interactions.
Malcolm L. Hunter, Jr., D. Phil. (Oxford, 1978), Professor and Libra Professor. Conservation biology,
forest wildlife management, landscape ecology, international conservation.
William B. Krohn, Ph.D. (Idaho, 1977), Professor. Leader, Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife
Research Unit. Migratory bird management, habitat evaluation, and wildlife administration.
Cynthia S. Loftin, Ph.D. (Florida, 1998), Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Assistant
Leader, Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Systems ecology, landscape
ecology, wetlands ecology, GIS applications.
Jerry R. Longcore, M.S. (Michigan, 1963), Faculty Associate, U.S. National Biological Survey.
Waterfowl and wetlands ecology.
Raymond J. O’Connor, Ph.D. (Oxford, 1973), Professor. Avian Population Dynamics, life history studies.
Judith M. Rhymer, Ph.D. (Florida State University, 1988), Associate Professor. Population genetics
and conservation biology.