Information for Prospective Graduate Students
Autumn 2007
Dear Prospective Student,
Thank you for your interest in the graduate
program in the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and
specifically in my research program. The general focus of
research in my lab is on plant-resource interactions, broadly defined
from physiological adaptations to plant influences on ecosystem
function. We have also had an interest in biotic interactions
that shape communities and ecosystem function, including competition
and facilitation (e.g. N2-fixation). More specifically my research has
focused on alpine plants and their interaction with soil fertility, as
well as biotic interactions that influence diversity. Examples of
some of the ongoing research my students and I are doing include
determining the influence of plant secondary chemistry on nutrient
cycling and on competitive interactions, landscape control over
nutrient cycling and the identification of "hot spots," and the use of
different chemical forms of N (NO3-,
NH4+, and small amino acids) by
plants as a means of meeting growth requirements and avoiding
competition. We have also been investigating the potential
effects of increased N deposition on alpine ecosystems. Please
see accompanying information on research
interests on this web site. I have an ongoing National Park Service
funded project in Rocky Mountain and Glacier National Parks, examining
critical N loads for alpine vegetation change. Future work in
this area will examine how changes in plant-soil interactions will
accelerate ecosystem response to N deposition.
My philosophy in advising graduate students depends
on
the degree being pursued. Masters students generally get more
help
deciding on a research topic and the research plan. PhD students
do
the majority of the work designing their thesis project, since this is
part
of their training. They are expected to learn the current
literature
and research strategies for addressing hypotheses of their own design.
Most
masters students doing field research complete their projects in 3
years,
while PhD students take around 4-5 years on average.
I currently have three graduate students. I will be
reviewing graduate applications this year, with the hopes of accepting
one new student into my lab. However, admission is done by the
graduate committee in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, as students are
not accepted without financial support. At this time I have
summer research support for 1 or 2 additional students, and most
students are accepted with the promise of academic year support via
Teaching Assistantships. I will review your application to the
graduate program at CU, and encourage interested students to
communicate further about your interests and the possibility of your
working with me on a graduate degree.
Please feel free to contact me if you have
questions. email
Bill Bowman