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Pre-application procedures |
MS candidates in this program are focused on designing and conducting projects based on ecological and evolutionary principles that result in one or two quality scientific publications, aiming to contribute to journals such as Journal of Animal Ecology, Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, Animal Behaviour, Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal of Wildlife Management, etc., etc.
If you are familiar with these journals and are interested in applying, there are a few steps you could take to let me know of your interest. I generally choose 2 or more top applicants each year; each professor chooses from the applicant pool.
Begin by looking at my list of current studies and some of our recent publications to make sure we have mutual research interests.
Send a letter explaining what topic and study system you would like to work on and include a list of your completed science courses (grades and overall g.p.a.) along with your resume (CV).
I may ask you to send me an example of your science writing in the form of a 2-page pre-proposal focusing on your favorite model study system; be sure to identify a study problem, hypotheses/objectives, and the primary investigative methods.
Assessment of these unofficial-applications are based on writing skills, compatibility of interests, g.p.a., undergraduate background (including evolutionary theory), field/lab experience, references, and potential funding. The official application, with university forms and fees, is a separate process.
I have worked with graduate student candidates on a variety of study topics, including:
- feeding ecology (plant-herbivore interaction, habitat choice, flock dynamics and predation risk)
- social evolution (mating systems, mate choice, parent-offspring relationships)
- signal design (vocal, visual and scent communication; signalers, receivers and eavesdroppers)
- population dynamics (dispersal, migration, mortality, life-time reproduction, population viability modeling, reintroduction science).
Candidates worked with a variety of animal systems with pure and applied results published in quality journals.
At Humboldt State University, my research group includes 5-6 candidates at any one time. We meet as a group most weeks to support and monitor progress. MS candidates also work closely with seniors (wildlife majors) that often collect complementary data for their senior thesis.
I am currently encouraging studies on several Pacific Flyway migratory species that stop at Humboldt Bay (right near our campus) before traveling to Alaska and other northern breeding grounds:
- 75,000+ black brant (geese) that build fat and nutrient stores by feeding on succulent eelgrass.
- 75,000+ Aleutian geese that utilize lush pasture and saltmarsh plants.
- 12+ assorted duck species that make a living in the varied fresh, brackish or saltwater mediated wetlands.
I am also pursuing a wide-ranging study involving individually marked Western Canada geese that are resident all year. They were translocated to the area about 15 years ago and now nest on the perimeter of Humboldt Bay. In addition to these waterfowl studies, I sometimes work with students interested in pursuing questions dealing with my ongoing studies of Steller's jays and river otters that live in this area. We are also busy quantifying the health of eelgrass Zostera marina, the habitat on which most Humboldt Bay animals depend.
Prior to acceptance into the program most prospective MS candidates make sure they visit Arcata and get to know one or more of the professors. The best way to get to know a professor, of course, is to take one of their classes. Several 'post-baccalaureates' have gained entrance to the Wildlife MS program after spending a semester or two 'topping up' their vitae taking relevant wildlife courses. For example, we offer upper-level undergraduate courses in Wildlife Techniques, Diseases, Ethology, Energetics, Populations, Conservation Biology, Wildlife-habitat relationships, Waterfowl, Mammals, and Shorebirds.
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