Hi,

In May of 2005, I will graduate from University of Iowa with a B.S. in Biology. My plan is to pursue my research interest in the ecology of wetland plants. That is, if I can find and be accepted to a program in that area. I have checked out the SWS link to college programs and have found that useful, but I am still looking for more options. I have also browsed a number of wetland journals and investigated the corresponding authors, yet from what I have seen, it is often the case that these authors do not specialize in the ecology of wetland plants.

I am wondering if any of you have any suggestions for graduate programs in wetland science in the U.S.. How closely were your research interests matched by the graduate research you conducted? Did any of you conduct research in the ecology of wetland plants. If so, with whom did you study? Any suggestions, leads, or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Sydney Everhart

I was in the same predicament last year searching for a suitable grad school. I stumbled upon the extramural Master of Science Natural Resource & Environmental Science degree program out of the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign (http://www.nres.uiuc.edu/graduate/index.html). Though this program is not solely dedicated to Wetland Ecology you can work with the advisor to customize a wetland-orientated program. I'm in my first year, and I think the best aspect of this program is that it caters to professionals currently working in their field of study. Classes are based out of the Chicago area and Springfield and are usually one night a week for a semester.

On another note, I've been having trouble coming up with a thesis topic. If anyone could suggest some it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve Chu

Sydney,

You've got a lot of choices facing you. Possibly more important than your research topic is your interaction with a major professor and committee memebers. You may want to focus on an area of the country, or a specific type of wetland (or group of plants) then meet several of the researchers in that field to see which might best fit your need.

If you are interested in bottomland hardwood forests, you might consider Dr. William Conner at Clemson, Dr. Lockaby at Auburn. I beleive both are in Forestry or Natural Resource programs. A large number of students seem to do well at LSU.

You might want to check out Dr. James VanKley, who has done a good real of research on wetland plants in Texas and LA. He's at Stephen F. Austin State University (TX).

Getting closer to Iowa, I don't have a clue who you might want to work with, but maybe those will help.

On research topics versus your research interest: espeically at the masters level, you are learning the research process, so I don't think the project is as important as the tools you learn. Learning how to conduct a floristic survey, statistical methods in research, or laboratory skills you accquire might be more important than the project per se.

If you are going in on assistantship, be aware that the benefits (insurance, office space, tuition waivers) vary school by school and state by state. Don't look just at a salary, but everythin associated with it.

Thats all for now!

Danny Johns

Sydney,

I would worry less about any particular "program" and look for people conducting the sort of research that interests you. Many of us working in wetlands dabble in a lot of different topics. Although I wouldn't call myself a botanist, I do have a grad student right now woring on wetland plants. So, look around at the people, find someone you would like to work with, and make a contact.

Sydney,

I am glad to see Daniel Johns mention Stephen F. Austin State University as a potential home for your grad work, my alma mater. However, John didn't mention possibly working under Hans Williams in the College of Forestry at SFA. Hans is a former Corps guy from the former WES (Waterways Experiment Station, now ERDC). Hans is heavily involved in wetlands research at SFA. Dr. VanKley is, as John mentioned, as well. In fact, both of these guys would be great to have on a thesis committee. As an SFA graduate, I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to encourage anyone interested in biological sciences to check this program out. It's a tough regimen and the profs are great and actually care about the success of their students. Nacogdoches is a very pretty and quiet place to study and is within easy driving distance of a variety of habitats, wetland and upland.

Ken

You might also want to check out Dr. Jim Webb with Texas A&M University in Galveston. He concentrates on coastal habitats and ecology.

You can find out more about Dr. Webb (he was at one time a member of the SWS - I'm sure he still is) by going to http://www.marinebiology.edu/Faculty/Webb.htm

Since we are mentioning TExas A&M, look into Dr. Davis in the Wildlife & Fisheries Dept. at Texas A&M (main campus College Station). I took a wetland ecosystems class from him and learne da great deal. He is a good professor!

H-E-L-L-O IN THERE!!!!...there...there...there.
ANYBODY HOME????...home...home...home

Thank you all for the great replies. Although I still haven't gotten any closer to where I'm going to be in the following year, I have gotten more leads on graduate faculty with similar interests by focusing on plant science programs.

Now I just have to overcome the difficulty of making contacts. It seems that if I provide too much information or don't initiate a more informal dialogue then my request to speak with prospective graduate faculty go unanswered. So now my modified method is to pose a simple question about the program to the faculty member and only describe myself as a senior biology undergraduate. Any suggestions on how I should be approaching prospective graduate faculty differently?

Best regards,
Sydney Everhart

I would recommend either direct phone calss or drop by a campus for a visit (even unannounced). The latter would obviously work better for places you are considering that are within easy travel distance.

Really? It's okay to drop by unannounced?

How familiar should I be with one's research and papers before speaking with them?

Thanks Rich!
Sydney

I would like to add my two cents worth on chosing a graduate program.

1. When looking at a graduate program, step away fom the courses offered and understand that the essence of an MS is to develop and implement a scientific study.

2. Meet your proposed major professor and make sure that you are compatible.

3. Look at the professor's lab group setting to make sure that you have structured interaction times with other students and professors.

4. Wetland Ecology is an interdisciplinary science so many universities that do not carry a "wetland ecology" degree have strong related departments. For example, I received a degree in Plant Ecology from Oregon State with an integrated minor that included stream geomorphology. We had Internal Lab (major prof and students), expanded ecology meetings, and stream team meetings. Lots of interaction and understanding of other student's research.

5. Look for scientific interaction and lab group communication.

Using Rich's advise, I followed up on an un-answered email with a phone call. I had a very pleasant conversation with Dr. Rebecca Sharitz out of Univ. of Georgia. Unfortunately, she noted that her funding sources for next fall have not been solidified just yet. Afterwards she emailed me and mentioned that we had a great conversation, that she would be able to answer any questions I have, and to request my resume - well done on her part.

Before seeking advise on this board, I was kind of lost on where or how to choose a program. It's been hard for me to almost entirely disregard the graduate program itself and to rely on finding a suitable lab group and M.P.. That fact was most certainly verified during my conversation with Dr. Sharitz because she is a part of two devisions, the Institute of Ecology and the Plant Biology Department, she suggested that I look into applying to both programs as a means of strategy. When asked whether this would make any difference, she said that there would be virtually no difference.

Thanks to Leslie Gecy for compiling a list of good discussion questions. I plan to discuss lab group interaction/communication with Dr. Sharitz during my next call.

I tried a the random phone call technique on a couple other prospective major professors but they were not in.

I'd also like to thank Jeff Browning, Ken Laterza, Daniel Johns, and Stephen W. Chu for providing me with some leads. Although I have not found a match in interests with those researchers you mentioned, it has taught me to be less discriminating on a M.P. based on information presented in the online bio.

I will most certainly keep you all posted on my progress. Furthermore, any additional comments, suggestions, leads, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

If you'd like to see more information on Dr. Rebecca Sharitz, check out her bio at http://www.plantbio.uga.edu/~sharitz/sharitz.html


Finally, on a different note. How do GPA and GRE scores factor into program acceptance and funding? What is the typical standard for both? How can I best bolster my application package aside from these two scores?


Best regards,
Sydney Everhart

Dear Sydney,

As a real estate developer, I often deal with environmental consultants. There are many consultants who are technical experts but do not have adequate knowledge of the underlying laws which govern their field. This is particularly troublesome in wetlands.

This point is illustrated by some of the comments on this forum. Too many consultants rely on regulatory staff for legal advice on complex matters of law. Many regulators have little or no legal training and often give the wrong answer. Real experts should be able to render an independent, objective, and informed opinion.

If a consultant has technical expertise but lacks in-depth legal knowledge, then I will not hire them. Consultants who have both technical and legal expertise are rare and usually more expensive.

There are plenty of wetland delineators. We need people who study environmental law and have a thorough understanding of complex legal issues such as Section 404 jurisdiction.

Sydney,

GRE and GPA are both important for getting into a program and getting on assistantship. In general, a composite score (math and language) of 1000 will probably be competitve at most programs. Keep in mind some programs may require the GRE Biology subject test.

As far as GPA, your last 60 hours, in addition to core classwork are probably key. You shouldn't have too much of problem with GPA above 3.0, and 3.5 is likely competitve at most programs.

At least in my case, GPA and GRE haven't been great indicators of academic success

Finally, don't be surpised if you are asked to take a few background classes if you move to a different program

Good luck

Daniel Johns

Re a previous message: You have plenty of time to work out the details of your future employment. This should have nothing to do with your choice of a graduate prgram.

Re: GRE/GRA My experience is that letters of recommendation and your statment of intent go a very long way in getting acceptance and financial support. I also think that the last 2 years of undergrad work are weighted more heavily than the first 2, especially if there has been a substantial change. For 2 examples:

I had very good records but had been out of school for almost 10 years wehen I applied to grad school. My letters of recommendation helped ensure my acceptance, especially from my major undergrad professor who was able to make a personal letter 10 yrs later regarding my abilities.

I am also aquainted with a number of people that dropped out of undergrad for fear of failing out. All came back to school with low records, but high records after their junior year and did quite well for themselves. The common theme was acheivement in upper level classes, good rapport with professors and ability to get personal recommendations, clear statements of intent, and good communication with their proposed major professor.

Please note that this does not mean being a prof groupie, it means making sure that your major professor is aware of your interests, analytical skills and ability to use them in an asvanced level.

Thank you all again for your advice.

On GRE scores. Two programs I have investigated suggested that above 50% is desirable and anything less is rarely accepted. I have a 48% for verbal scoring, while my quantitative and analytical are 70% and 85%, respectively. I've heard most science people do not score well on the verbal test. Is my score close enough? If a faculty member agrees to take me on, will that matter anymore?

Also, I recently spoke with Dr. Arnold van der Valk of Iowa State University and even scheduled an appointment to meet him. What should I be expecting out of a first meeting? Should I ask him what is planned? Should I bring my personal statement to have him read over it? Do I discuss my concerns over GPA and GRE scores?

My expectation is that he will lead the meeting, I'll get there at 11am, he'll show me around, then we'll go to lunch, and afterwards we might discuss his research and the graduate program. Am I on target with this expectation? Any insight and/or tips to give me a heads up would be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Sydney Everhart