Admission Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree (or the equivalent) in biology, environmental sciences, or closely related disciplines. We expect that incoming students will have completed introductory biology course work covering basic cell biology and genetics, organismal diversity, plant and animal biology, and ecology and evolutionary biology. In addition, students should have completed upper-level course work in ecology or environmental science, one year of mathematics and one year of chemistry. Any undergraduate deficiencies in the above must be rectified before enrolling in graduate courses where these courses are particularly relevant. Exceptions may be made with the permission of the graduate program director;
2. A minimum GPA of 3.0;
3. GRE General Test scores;
4. A written personal statement demonstrating rationale for pursuing graduate studies in urban ecology; and
5. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential for graduate studies.

Program Requirements — Total Semester Hours: 33

Graduate students are expected to receive a grade of B or better in their biology courses. All students should meet with the graduate program director at least once each semester. A graduate course in urban ecology is required if no undergraduate courses in urban ecology were taken by the time of admission into the graduate program. Candidates must complete 33 semester hours of graduate biology courses numbered 200 or above . Up to 9 s.h. of graduate courses may be taken in other related disciplines with permission of the graduate program director.  To complete their degree, students may choose either to take a comprehensive exam or to complete a written essay (BIO 303 ). The exam will be based on selection of essay questions from each graduate course taken at Hofstra. Questions will be submitted and graded by the faculty instructor of the relevant course.  The essay will be chosen by the student in consultation with an adviser and supervised by a Hofstra Biology faculty member and essay committee. A successful defense of the essay or ≥ 80 % score on a comprehensive exam are required for graduation.