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, fisheries, physiology, behavior, population dynamics, resource management, and the influence of environmental disturbances.
Federal biologists with the Maine Cooperative Fisheries and Wildlife Research Unit (U.S.G.S.) have faculty appointments and advise of graduate students. Other personnel from the U.S.G.S. Biological Resources Division participate in the program as do biologists from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Admissions
Students are admitted to the graduate program in Wildlife Ecology on the basis of their academic records, GRE scores, experience, and recommendations. For M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, students are only admitted when teaching or research assistantships are available. All available assistantships are posted on the Department web page; applicants should contact the major professor directly. These assistantships include stipends and payment of tuition. Additional funding is available for research expenses on most projects.
In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School, the following requirements must be met by graduate students in Wildlife Ecology:
The student’s advisory committee should be constituted during the first semester to provide program direction and aid in development of the student’s research proposal; the student’s program of study should be completed during the first semester; and the student should complete a detailed thesis proposal prior to the beginning of the second semester.
All students must have finished course work in the following subject areas, either in a previous program or prior to completion of the graduate degree. At least three courses must be taken within the Department of Wildlife Ecology (either taught by our faculty or with WLE designator). One of these three courses must be at a 500 level or greater.
Biology – 15 credits to include:
- Ecology 3 cr.
- and two of the following:
- Vertebrate Zoology 3 cr.
- Invertebrate Zoology 3 cr.
- Botany 3 cr.
Conservation – 9 credits to include:
- Habitat Conservation 3 cr.
- Population Conservation 3 cr.
- Resource Economics and Policy 3 cr.
Analytical Tools – 6 credits to include:
and up to 3 credits may be satisfied by:
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, visit the Department of Wildlife Ecology webpage or write to the Chairperson, Department of Wildlife Ecology, College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture, 210 Nutting Hall.
James R. Gilbert, Ph.D. (Idaho, 1974), Professor and Chair. Population dynamics, biometrics, big game, and pinnipeds.
Catherine E. Burns, Ph.D. (Yale, 2004), Research Assistant Professor. Wildlife Conservation, land use change impacts on wildlife populations and communities.
Stephen M. Coghlan, Jr., Ph.D. (New York, 2004), Assistant Professor. Freshwater fisheries management and statistical ecology.
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.
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.
Judith M. Rhymer, Ph.D. (Florida State University, 1988), Associate Professor. Population genetics and conservation biology.
Frederick A. Servello, Ph.D. (Virginia Polytech Inst. and State Univ., 1985), Professor. Foraging ecology, habitat relationships of birds and mammals.
Joseph D. Zydlewski, Ph.D. (University of Massachusetts, 1998), Assistant Professor and Assistant Leader-Fisheries, Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Physiology, behavior and ecology of migratory fishes both in the laboratory and in the field.
Graduate School
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