The goals of the Department of Biological Sciences graduate program are to support and encourage students in their preparation for careers as research scientists and/or educators. Programs within the department encompass all levels of biological organization, ranging from molecules to cells, systems, organisms, populations, and ecosystems. Our research strengths are in ecology, evolution, behavior, and organismal biology. We use comparative approaches to study both the evolutionary history and ecological consequences of biodiversity. These strengths complement and expand upon programs in Medicine and Engineering, and students are encouraged to draw upon the offerings of these academic units as part of their program of study.