HILS Home > Programs of Study > Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
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Program of StudyThe members of the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (OEB) share a common interest in understanding the structure, function, and variation of biological systems. The research interests of the OEB faculty include the flow of energy and material through ecosystems, the development and structure of communities and populations, the diversity of plant, animal, and microbial groups, and the mechanisms that have permitted diversity to evolve. |
These studies span a wide range of spatial and temporal scales and include many different levels of biological organization. A variety of theoretical, descriptive, and experimental approaches are used in the laboratory and field studies carried out by members of OEB. There is representation in anatomy, behavior, biogeochemistry, development, functional morphology, physiology, paleontology, population genetics, molecular evolution, systematics, and the biology of global change.
The Harvard University Herbaria and the Museum of Comparative Zoology house essential libraries, extensive natural history collections, and experimental laboratories that are utilized by faculty and students of the department. Other resources include the Harvard Forest and the Arnold Arboretum.
More program information is available at the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Website.
Applicants should have the equivalent of seven full (two-term) courses in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, or geology, at least a third must be intermediate-level courses.
GRE General scores are required. GRE subject scores are recommended. Foreign students should have first class honor degrees, recent TOEFL scores of at least 550, or hold a degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction.
OEB has relatively few requirements, generally designed to ensure that entering students have a broad background. These include: college-level calculus, statistics, a reasonable combination of courses in cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics, and courses on the biology (including lab work) of at least two kingdoms.
If deficiencies in an applicant’s academic background warrant, courses may be prescribed by the Graduate Committee. These will be identified at the time of the offer of admission.
Students considering graduate work in OEB must complete the online GSAS Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS) admissions application; see GSAS Application Instructions and Information for more details, or contact the Graduate School Office of Admission and Financial Aid at:
Harvard University
1350 Massachusetts Avenue
Holyoke Center 350
Cambridge, MA 02138-3654
telephone: 617-495-5315, 617-495-5396
e-mail: admiss@fas.harvard.edu
The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.
A complete directory (searchable by research interest, name, and title) of faculty affiliated with the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology can be found at the HILS Faculty Directory's OEB listing.