Indiana University’s Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior (EEB) program offers training in the ecology of populations, communities, and ecosystems as well as the bridge disciplines of evolutionary ecology, ecological genetics, behavioral ecology, microbial ecology, and biogeochemistry. We have particular strengths in the ecology and evolution of species interactions, including the dynamics of diseases and mutualisms, consumer-resource interactions, and the role of microbes in community structure and terrestrial ecosystem function.
Students and faculty develop basic ecological theory (mathematical, statistical, and conceptual) and test theoretical predictions, using experiments in the lab and field in addition to observations of natural systems. Moreover, our students and faculty apply basic ecological principles to anthropogenic problems such as species invasions, restoration ecology, global change biology, epidemiology, and ecotoxicology.
Our students and faculty work in woodlands, prairies, ponds, and lakes—with access to the nearby Research and Teaching Preserve. We also enjoy access to extensive environmental chambers and greenhouse facilities to conduct experiments, and we regularly tap into the tremendous molecular resources of our department.
The College of Arts