Undergraduates
  1. Projects during the Fall or Spring Semester at UCCS. Projects will be tailored to your interests and academic goals.  In my current study system, there are a variety of questions that can be answered using data analysis, laboratory techniques or GIS.  Independent, field-oriented projects in study systems nearer to Colorado Springs are welcome.  Students will register for Research Practicum in Ecology (BIOL 4930) to receive upper-level academic credit.
  2. Summer projects at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. Ten-week intensive research experience at this unique field station located outside of Crested Butte, CO.  A great opportunity to gain field research training or network with ecologists from diverse backgrounds. More information on the undergraduate research and education program can be found here.  

Graduate Students (MSc)
General information on the Master of Science (MSc) program in Ecology and Evolution at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

  1. Independently grant-funded: Graduate students who secure their own funding prior to applying are welcome to apply.  I am open to discussions with prospective students about funding opportunities. Many of these awards and fellowships use GPAs or GRE scores in addition to research proposals in their rating metrics.  Finding these opportunities and applying can be a very long process, so start early! 
  2. Semi-self-funded: Teaching Assistant opportunities in the Biology Department are available to offset costs during the academic year.  The TAship provides a stipend for teaching two laboratory sections of Introduction to Biology Laboratory each semester.  This is a great way to gain teaching experience and get started, with the ultimate aim to eventually secure grant support.  Although the TAship does not include a tuition waiver, additional scholarships are available (follow this link and filter by graduate).   The summer field season is intense, so taking on a summer job to bridge the gap between semesters is likely to fatally derail your research.   Past students have successfully won support from The Colorado Native Plant  Society and the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory.  So this option will be a patchwork of funding sources - small grants for research, fellowships, or some combination of the two.
  3. Self-funded: If you come from a family that wants to fund you and your research, I have no objections, and feel free to bring your relatives to the lab and field sites to see what we do.  

If you are interested in these research opportunities, please email me (Dr. Mooney, emooney (at) uccs (dot) edu), a cover letter describing your interests, skills and how you see that fitting with the lab’s research.  Potential graduate students should also attach a CV (Curriculum Vitae/Resume) and unofficial transcript.