Admissions

Admission to the Degree Program

Only students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. degree full time are accepted into the EEB/EEES program. Admission is based on appraisal of the applicant's undergraduate academic record, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, letters of recommendation, previous involvement in research or other activities which indicate a strong commitment to graduate study, and the applicant's statement of his or her goals. The general GRE examination is required. The Institution Code for Dartmouth College is 3351 and the Department Code for Ecology is 0207. The advanced tests in Biology are strongly suggested. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible, and to ensure that letters of recommendation and GRE scores are received by December 1. We also strongly encourage interested candidates to contact individual faculty and arrange a visit to the campus if possible.

It is expected that all entering graduate students will have had at least one year each of physics and college-level mathematics including calculus and probability, two years of chemistry (general and organic), and at least two years of biology, with courses in appropriate fields of specialization (e.g., ecology and evolutionary biology). Deficiencies in basic undergraduate courses may be remedied in the first year of graduate school.

All applicants for whom English is not their native language and who have not attended an English-speaking undergraduate institution must provide the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The Department Code for the TOEFL test is Biology 35. Applicants may also submit the results of the IELTS exam.

Offers of admission to the graduate program for entrance in the fall term are sent from February 15 to mid-April. Those admitted to the program must notify the Department of their decision by April 15.

Minority Applications

The EEB program strongly encourages applications from minority students. Minority applicants are encouraged to identify themselves so that additional information on minority programs at Dartmouth may be forwarded.

Financial Support

All students maintaining satisfactory academic status receive financial support for up to five years. This includes a 12-month stipend of approximately $23,364/ annum, health insurance, a full tuition scholarship, and a discretionary fund of ~$2,000 / annum for research, travel, books, etc. Support is for five years given satisfactory progress. Teaching responsibilities are modest and rewarding (one class during each of one or two 10-week quarters per year); for many students, this includes teaching on our Foreign Studies Program in Costa Rica and Little Cayman Island. Students supported by faculty research assistantships typically have reduced teaching commitments and increased research responsibilities. Students are also strongly encouraged to seek external funding for their work through fellowships (e.g., NSF or EPA) and grants (NSF Dissertation Improvement Grant). Students who obtain external fellowships have reduced teaching responsibilities.

Highly qualified graduate students may be eligible for a GAANN Fellowship with annual stipend of up to $30,000.

Inquiries

Inquiries about the graduate program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology/Earth, Ecosystem and Ecological Sciences should be addressed to:

Graduate Program in EEB/EEES

Department of Biological Sciences
78 College Street

Class of 1978 Life Sciences Center
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH 03755-3576

Phone: (603) 646-3847

FAX: (603) 646-1347

Official transcripts and paper letters of recommendation should be addressed to:

Office of Graduate Studies
Dartmouth College
6062 Wentworth Hall
Hanover, NH 03755-3526