Student working in field

Ecology

Investigate patterns in the interactions among organisms and their environments—from the molecule to the biosphere

Program Overview

Students in Penn State’s Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology: 

  • Gain a thorough understanding of ecological theory and hypothesis testing
  • Conduct research that tests basic ecological theories or applies ecological principles to meet critical societal needs 
  • Engage with faculty members from across Penn State in their coursework and research
  • Develop their communication and leadership skills 
  • Earn M.S. and Ph.D. degrees

News

Huck names Leadership Fellows for 2026-27

The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences has selected three faculty members to serve as Huck Leadership Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year. The competitive program prepares faculty for future leadership roles while engaging them in strategic initiatives that advance interdisciplinary research at Penn State.

Q&A: What can plant evolution teach people about breeding better crops?

May 22 is United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity, drawing attention to a critical resource for developing crops that are resilient or resistant to extreme weather and other threats to their health, according to Jesse Lasky, associate professor of biology at Penn State.

Q&A: Tips to protect against ticks

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and Pennsylvania consistently ranks as one of the top states in the nation for reported cases of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. However, there are ways to protect people, pets and livestock against ticks and the pathogens they carry, according to Erika Machtinger, associate professor of entomology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

One Health Microbiome Center names next doctoral interns for industry program

Penn State graduate students Natalie Ford and Mackenna Yount will spend this summer engaging in hands-on research with industry experts at the Hilden, Germany, headquarters of QIAGEN, a global leader in biotechnology for life sciences diagnostics, equipment and research.