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Ecology, evolution, and conservation biology (EECB) is implemented as an interdisciplinary specialization within the following participating graduate programs:

Prospective students interested in specializing in EECB need to apply for admission to the appropriate participating graduate program, and indicate in their application their desire to specialize in EECB. Applicants should have prior course work in statistics, biochemistry, ecology, evolution, genetics, and organic chemistry. Applicants are advised to submit the results of an appropriate test for graduate admissions.

Before applying for admission, each prospective student needs to be sponsored by a member of the EECB graduate faculty. Ordinarily, though not necessarily, the faculty sponsor will serve as the student's graduate advisor or committee chair.

Modern theories of ecology, evolution, and conservation biology share a core of concepts and techniques that span classical academic disciplines. This common core, coupled with the emergence of powerful new technologies, invites cross-disciplinary approaches, which generate many of today's most exciting scientific knowledge.

At the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM), the interdisciplinary graduate specialization in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology (EECB) brings together faculty members from participating graduate programs (See Admissions Requirements) to provide the training students need to contribute effectively to this research area. The objectives of the EECB specialization are:

• To exploit Hawai'i's unique opportunities to integrate tropical population biology and natural history studies with modern laboratory techniques;
• To provide the interdisciplinary, conceptual, and technical training to participate in academic and research programs in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology; and
• To foster scholarly training in research programs involving expertise in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology.

While the EECB specialization is designed primarily for those interested in pursuing a PhD, it also includes an MS program for students who wish to pursue careers in state and federal forestry and wildlife conservation programs, or in biological resource management with private organizations such as the Nature Conservancy.

MS Degree Requirements
Students may select either Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis).

• Plan A requires 30 credits (including eight credits of directed reading and/or thesis research), a written thesis and defense of the thesis.
• Plan B requires 30 credits.

PhD Degree Requirements
In addition to meeting EECB course requirements, students also need to meet the degree requirements of their respective graduate programs. In some cases, courses taken to fulfill EECB requirements may also count towards graduate program requirements. For more information, please contact the appropriate graduate chairs.

EECB course requirements include the following:

• 10 credits from among the EECB courses,
• one graduate seminar,
• additional course work to be determined by the Graduate Education Committee, depending on the student's background and experience prior to entering the program.

Courses
Students who specialize in EECB take courses from various disciplines including anthropology, cell and molecular biology, botanical sciences, entomology, geography, microbiology, natural resources and environmental management, oceanography, tropical plant and soil sciences, and zoology.

To view a listing of courses offered, visit www.catalog.hawaii.edu/courses/description-index.htm.