Dartmouth’s Ph.D. program in Ecology, Evolution, Ecosystems, and Society (EEES) provides opportunities for graduate students in two complementary areas: (1) the basic science of ecology and evolutionary biology; and (2) interdisciplinary, problem-oriented science on sustainability, ecosystems, and the environment. The program is research-centered and tailored to the interests of each student based on a collaborative model in which students work closely with their faculty advisors, postdocs, and fellow students.

As a member of the EEES faculty, Rich Howarth’s work integrates economic analysis with a team-oriented approach that combines ecosystem science and concepts from a range of social science disciplines, focusing especially on the valuation and governance of ecosystem services. His recent projects have emphasized: (1) carbon storage and climate regulation in temperate forests; and (2) the use of deliberative multicriteria analysis to gauge community values concerning watershed conservation. He has also written extensively on the social cost of carbon and the challenge of designing policies and institutions that align economic incentives with social values and the achievement of ecological sustainability.

The EEES program is best suited for students with prior research experience and/or master’s-level graduate training. We offer Ph.D. core courses in ecology and coupled social-ecological systems, plus grounding in research methods such as statistical analysis, experimental design, surveys and interviews, and mathematical modeling that are matched to each student’s interests and professional trajectory. The program draws from Dartmouth’s rich resources in the fields of Ecology, Environmental Studies, Anthropology, and Geography.

For information on how to apply, see our Guidelines for Prospective Students.