PhD in Ecology

San Diego State University (SDSU) offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across a wide spectrum of fields, including science, engineering, business, humanities, and the arts. The university's strengths lie in its research initiatives, cutting-edge facilities, and its strategic location in San Diego, which provides students with access to numerous opportunities for internships and collaborations with industry leaders. SDSU is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment where students can thrive both academically and personally. Through its dedication to research, innovation, and community engagement, San Diego State University prepares graduates to excel in their chosen fields and make a meaningful impact in the local and global communities they serve.

The EPA offers a doctoral degree in Ecology that is run jointly by SDSU and the Ecology Graduate Group at University of California, Davis. The principal objective of the Joint Doctoral Program in Ecology (JDPE) is to provide an environment of excellence in Ecology research, teaching and mentoring for our students. To meet this objective, students will attend both SDSU and UC Davis, and will have both an SDSU major advisor and a UC Davis mentor. The joint nature of the doctoral program offers two primary advantages. First, students benefit from contact and expertise in and outside of the classroom with faculty members of two strong ecology programs. Second, across the two campuses, students have the opportunity to access facilities and field sites in nearly all the major biomes of California. Faculty in the EPA at SDSU focus their research on all aspects of ecology. We have particular strengths in quantitative ecology, conservation ecology, coastal marine ecology, and ecosystem ecology and global change. For more information, see Focal Areas within the EPA.