University of Michigan

What you'll study

This master's programme combines advanced coursework, laboratory and field methods, and an independent research thesis. Core topics typically include evolutionary theory, population genetics, phylogenetics and systematics, community and ecosystem ecology, and quantitative methods such as statistical modelling and computational biology. Students take seminars on current research, participate in lab rotations or field practicum, and develop specialist skills in areas such as comparative methods, genomic analysis, ecological forecasting, and species distribution modelling.

Program structure is flexible to support students pursuing either a professionally oriented MSc or a research track preparing for doctoral study. Coursework commonly covers:

• Advanced Evolutionary Biology and Population Genetics
• Phylogenetic Methods and Systematics
• Ecological Theory: Community and Ecosystem Dynamics
• Applied and Theoretical Quantitative Methods (including statistics, R, and modelling)
• Field and Laboratory Techniques (experimental design, molecular methods, sampling, long-term monitoring)
• Graduate Seminar in Ecology and Evolution (student-led literature and research discussions)
• Research Thesis or Capstone Project under faculty supervision

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, environmental science or a closely related discipline. A solid grounding in genetics, ecology and statistics is important; coursework in calculus, linear algebra or programming is advantageous. Typical application materials include official transcripts, a statement of purpose describing research interests, a CV, and two or three academic references.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency as required by the university. The department looks for evidence of research experience (e.g. undergraduate research, field seasons, laboratory work) and quantitative competency; candidates with a strong research proposal or a clear fit with faculty interests are particularly competitive.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a wide range of careers. Many continue to doctoral programmes in evolutionary biology, ecology or related fields. Others move into roles in conservation biology, natural resource management, environmental consulting, government and non‑governmental organisations, and biodiversity policy. The programme also equips students for positions in biotechnology, ecological data science, scientific communication, and education. Practical training in statistical and computational methods is also directly applicable to industry roles that require ecological modelling, population forecasting and genomic data analysis.

Why study at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan offers a rich environment for studies in ecology and evolution, with access to active faculty research groups across ecology, evolutionary biology and systematics. Students benefit from institutional resources such as the Museum of Zoology, the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) for extended fieldwork, botanical and herbarium collections, and shared core facilities for genomics and microscopy. The campus provides strong interdisciplinary connections to centres in environmental policy, computational biology and spatial analysis, as well as opportunities to collaborate with regional conservation agencies and long‑term ecological research projects.

Facilities and a broad network of collaborators support both field‑based and computational research, while small seminar classes and close supervision by faculty enable focused mentoring and preparation for diverse career pathways.