Applied Ecology—MS

Humans have impacted huge amounts of our planet. Applied ecology examines and addresses the ecological challenges, and solutions. We trace, analyze, and calibrate. We seek solutions to restore—and sustain—world biomes. Beyond the temperate, deciduous forested systems that surround us in the Lake Superior region, we explore the interactions of climate, plant functional groups, and carbon cycling in peatlands.

Students in our master's of applied ecology program, study glacial retreat, wetland and lakeshore vegetation—and employ networks of forest, rural, and urban landscapes around the globe as laboratories for integrative research. They model nitrous oxide, track carbon cycling, and dig deep to understand and mitigate critical climate-changing interactions between communities and their landscapes.

What Will I Learn?

  • Gain advanced understanding of natural and human-dominated ecosystems.
  • Be proficient with the tools used for the resolution of contemporary environmental problems.
  • Tap into the wide breadth of expertise within our small, friendly academic community. Get to know us, and find who you want to work with.
  • 6,500 feet of lab space, 2,000 of greenhouse, 5,397 acres of research forest.
  • Research degrees are non-specific, and we intentionally set a low number of required classes, unless your committee requires them.
  • Explore your interests with your committee and your advisor to define the optimal educational experience.

If you are working toward your master of science degree, you will select your study program in consultation with your advisor and committee. Course work requirements specific to CFRES are:

  • FW 5800—Master's Graduate Seminar (1 credit)
  • FW 5810—Research Methods in Natural Resources (2 credits)*
  • One upper division statistics class from the list of suggested courses*

* Not required for Peace Corps and Masters of Forestry students, except 4+1

Approval of equivalent courses can be given by the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science graduate program director in consultation with the student's advisory committee. The advisory committee may specify certain courses in which a student must achieve a grade of B or better.

Degree Options

"Following a warming experiment called SMART,our ecologists contributed to two major meta-analyses on the impact of a warming climate on soil carbon storage and release."Allison Mills, Michigan Tech News

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

 

Funding Opportunities

Biofuels, urban land development, grazing patterns, hydrodynamics, government policies, climate change, and forest restoration. There are multiple opportunities to be involved in meaningful work. The abundance of private and public funding, and our friendly atmosphere, is a powerful formula to help decide what kind of research you want to do and who you want to do it with.

  • We work diligently to continuously acquire research funding, and we are successful. 
  • Research the researchers. Match your area of interest with a faculty member, and contact them directly—your best chance to be matched with an assistantship and research project.
  • Check our open research positions often, where you will also find a listing of fellowships, jobs, and other funding opportunities. 
  • Acceptance to the Graduate School and a graduate program in CFRES does not guarantee financial support.
*Financial support in the form of an assistantship is based on teaching or research needs and available resources, as well as the qualifications of individuals applying. Other funding opportunities may be available. Please contact the Graduate School for more information.