Program Goals
The Frontiers Master's Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan has three primary goals:
- To bring students to the study of ecology and evolution who might not otherwise have considered it.
- To give students opportunities to learn about the full range of subjects in ecology and evolution.
- To give students the foundation to continue in the U-M Ph.D. program in ecology and evolution.
Eligibility
The Frontiers Program is looking for students who:
- have a record of superior academic achievement (e.g., grade point average, honors, or other designation);
- are U.S. citizens or permanent residents or undocumented students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA);
AND are “excellent” in one or “good” in two or more dimensions of the RMF criteria:*
- Nominee has led and/or substantially engaged in activities that broaden the participation of individuals with diverse backgrounds in the academic, professional, or civic realm. By broadening participation, we mean efforts in the U.S. to specifically reduce educational disparities based on race, ethnicity, first-generation status, familial income, or gender.
- Have experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances;
- Have participated in programs in the Rackham application open to students from disadvantaged backgrounds;
- Are first-generation U.S. citizens in their families;
- Are first-generation in their families to graduate from a four-year college;
- Nominee is from an educational or geographic background that is underrepresented in their discipline in the U.S. or at U-M and/or holds membership in a federally recognized Tribe.
*Prospective students who only meet one dimension of criteria need to provide "Excellent" evidence to be considered eligible for the program. To provide evidence that meets the level of "Excellent" typically means that the applicant has provided multiple, substantive lines of evidence (i.e. not only identified their eligibility, but included how their journey may have been shaped or impacted in relation) within their application or supplemental materials. If you are unsure if you meet the above criteria, we recommend including as much detail in your application materials as possible.
**Please keep in mind that an applicant's race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, or other protected classes may not be used as criteria for admission based on state and federal laws.
Funding
The Frontiers Master's Program in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Michigan is a fully-funded master's program. This means that students in good standing receive a stipend, tuition and health care for two years at rates determined by University of Michigan policies. Support is available for four incoming students each academic year. For more information on funding, check out a select list of more funding opportunities.
The U-M Frontiers Master's Program in EEB is funded by:
- The Michigan AGEP Alliance (Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate)
- U-M Rackham Graduate School
- U-M College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
- U-M Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
The Frontiers Master's Program is designed to attract a diverse student body interested in research within the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology. Students explore the full range of research approaches in EEB – from molecular biology in labs, to field work in remote areas of the world, providing the foundation needed to continue in our Ph.D. program and beyond.
Students get a jump start on graduate studies through a summer program at the beginning, which includes exposure to field studies and laboratory research.
Students become part of exciting research that has a positive impact and work with an internationally diverse student body representing dozens of countries. The program offers the opportunity to work with outstanding researchers and a faculty committed to ensuring an exciting and supportive environment for students.
- Explore a wide range of questions in ecology and evolutionary biology and their applications to solving problems in areas such as sustainability, health, and conservation.
- Experience the full range of approaches to studying topics in ecology and evolutionary biology from field work in natural ecosystems to molecular biology in a laboratory.
- Complete a focused research project with a supportive research mentor.
- Interact with students in our Ph.D. and Traditional M.S. programs by sharing office space, attending seminars, discussion groups, fall retreat, teaching training, and core courses.
- Develop teaching skills and experience, with extensive training and ongoing support.
- Participate in research and career development workshops on topics such as career options, choosing a research topic, grant writing, presentation skills, research ethics, applying to Ph.D. programs.
- Receive mentoring and advice from the faculty program director and staff committed to enhancing the diversity of the discipline in general and our department in particular.
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology embraces education and research on virtually all aspects of biodiversity, including the origins and history of species ranging from bacteria to humans, the processes by which this diversity has evolved, and the ecological context in which this evolution takes place. These basic sciences underlie some of the most important applied sciences in the world today, such as global climate change, sustainable agriculture, the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, invasive and exotic species, conservation biology, natural resource management, and evolution of pesticide and antibiotic resistance.
Our focus on a wide diversity of organisms and how they function in the complex environments of the natural world offers a unique perspective among the life science units at the University of Michigan. In addition, the outstanding and innovative academic environment combines with a diverse campus community and a central location in dynamic Ann Arbor to make it one of the nation's most desirable universities.
Questions?
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
