Master of Science in Ecology
Additional Information is available from:
| http://bio.utsa.edu/ 210-458-5489 210-458-4459 Oscar.VanAuken@utsa.edu |
Dr. O. W. Van Auken Professor of Plant Ecology Department of Biology, UTSA San Antonio, TX 78249-0662 |
About the Program
Complete a Master of Science degree in biology at UTSA with a specialty in ECOLOGY in one, two or three years. Study the interactions of plants, animals and the environment. The MS degree with a specialty in ECOLOGY is with a thesis.
Projects
Potential thesis projects could examine various types of intra- and/or interspecific interactions. Current research projects include studies of population dynamics, seed bank dynamics, germination ecology and pollination ecology. In addition, interactions between various grasses, herbaceous plants and various woody plants are under study. Replacement dynamics in aspen, oak and juniper woodlands are also being examined. Many of these studies are gauged to examine the importance of each species in the process of expansion of woodlands into grasslands. Other possible studies could include endemic plants such as the puzzle sunflower or wide ranging introduced species like tall fescue. Investigations could examine aspects of light, nutrients, pH or herbivory on combinations of plants in the field or greenhouse.
- Interest in plants and animals.
- B.S. degree in Biology or similar area with courses in general biology, genetics, physiology, biochemistry and ecology.
- One and one-half years of chemistry, one year of physics and calculus or statistics.
Grade point average of 3.0 or better. - GRE Scores submitted.
- Two letters of recommendation.
Classes
Suggested* - 30 hrs
| BIO 5013-Survey of Env. Sci | 3 |
| BIO 5243-Adv. Plant Ecol. | 3 |
| BIO 6133-Meth. In Field Ecol. | 3 |
| BIO 6213-Adv. Ecology | 3 |
| BIO 6953-Independent Study |
6 |
| BIO 6983-Master's Thesis |
6 |
| EES 5023-Env. Stat. |
3 |
| EES 5233-Exp. Design & Anal. | 3 |
| TOTAL | 30 Hrs |
Optional* - 6 hr
| BIO 5063 Env. Micro. |
3 |
| BIO 5263-Microbial Ecol. | 3 |
| BIO 6113-Adv. Plant Phys. | 3 |
| BIO 6483-Animal Behavior | 3 |
| BIO 7041-Life Sci. Colloquium | 1-4 |
| BIO 7051-Seminar in Life Sci. | 1-3 |
| EES 5033-GIS | 3 |
| EES 5493-Water Pollution Control | 3 |
| EES 6033-Multivariate Anal. | 3 |
| TOTAL | 6 |
| GRAND TOTAL | 36 |
Application
Application forms are available upon request from the Office of Graduate Studies as follows:
UTSA
Office of Graduate Studies
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, Texas 78249-0616
Or on line at:
http://www.utsa.edu/graduate/Admission/onlineApplication.htm
Application Deadlines
See http://www.utsa.edu/gcat/chapter1/admission.html for the UTSA graduate school deadlines
App. forms for TA's are available from the Dept. of Biology. For fall semester, they are due in the Dept. office by March 1. Please check with graduate studies for deadline updates.
Some recently completed thesis projects follow:
McKinley, D.C. 2002. Abiotic and biotic factors influencing Juniperus ashei seedling growth.
Mendez, M.O. 2001. A comparison of the effects of salinity and light levels on the growth of Helianthus paradoxus and H. annuus.
Jackson, V.V. 2001. Helianthus paradoxus: the effects of competitive interactions and vegetational disturbances on growth.
Coteff, C. 2000. Characteristics of the seed bank of a west Texas inland salt marsh.
Wayne, E.R. 2000. Water relations of Juniperus ashei seedlings and changes in factors along a gradient in central Texas.
Elliott, S.A. 1999. Coreopsis tinctoria: Germination requirements and competitive ability with a perennial grass.
Jackson, J.T. 1996. Juniperus ashei seedling survival, mortality and growth in the Edwards Plateau Region of Central Texas.
Terletzky, P.A. 1995. Hillside cedar glades and microglades of the southeastern Edwards Plateau of Central Texas.
Engelken, S.E. 1995. Effects of mycorrhizae and Solenopsis invicta on the biomass of Aristida longiseta.