The Ecology & Evolution section of the Department of Biology at California State University, Northridge is accepting applications to the Master’s of Science program for Fall 2019. We have an interactive group of ecologists, evolutionary biologists, marine biologists, and microbiologists that study a range of organisms including microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The Biology Department is committed to fostering diversity in STEM and members of underrepresented groups in ecology are especially encouraged to apply. CSUN is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian-American-Pacific Islander-Serving Institution.
Northridge is located in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles and provides access to many different natural habitats. We are a short drive from the beach, several different mountain ranges, and a wide variety of field sites. The Biology program at CSUN has a reputation of turning out excellent Master’s students who continue on to top-tier Ph.D. programs, or become high school or college instructors, work for federal or state agencies, or work for non-profit organizations. CSUN was recently recognized by Nature as one of the top 25 Rising Institutions for Research in North America.
You can find more information about our group at:
www.csun.edu/science-mathematics/biology/ecology-evolution
In particular, the following faculty are seeking students for Fall 2019:
- Bobby Espinoza: ecological and evolutionary physiology of amphibians and reptiles; current project: genomics of invasion history in a widespread introduced gecko
- Dave Gray: behavioral ecology, sexual selection, speciation
- Jeanne Robertson: population genomics, conservation, speciation, sexual selection, evolution of color pattern, amphibians, reptiles
- Casey terHorst: evolutionary ecology, community ecology, rapid evolution, indirect species interactions, invasive species, pitcher plants, host-symbiont interactions; see ecoevolab.com
- Jeremy Yoder: studying local adaptation and coevolution in species interactions, especially mutualisms; see lab.jbyoder.org/projects
More information about how to apply to the M.S. program is available at: csun.edu/science-mathematics/biology/master-science-biology-program
Applications are due on February 15, 2019. However, prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact potential faculty advisors this Fall, prior to applying, to discuss their research interests.
Image: California live oak (photo by Jeremy Yoder)