The University of Toledo

The Toledo region offers potential students an ideal natural laboratory for studies in ecology, geology, and environmental sciences because it is located where unique natural habitats and landforms occur in proximity to high human population and natural resource use. Toledo is in northwestern Ohio, on the western shore of Lake Erie at the mouth of the Maumee River. The greater metropolitan area is characterized by glacial terrains, and agricultural, urban, and natural ecosystems. Local rivers, Lake Erie’s productive fisheries and wetlands, the remarkable diversity of the Oak Openings savannas and woodlands, and wetland remnants of the Great Black Swamp, make the Toledo region a dynamic location for the study of environmental sciences as well as an enjoyable place to live and work. 

The University of Toledo is a Carnegie Foundation Doctoral-Research University and a member of Ohio's State University System. The beautiful main campus is located in an outlying residential area of the city. After its merger in 2006 with the Medical University of Ohio, the University of Toledo is now the third largest public university in the state in terms of its operating budget. It has an enrollment of nearly 21,000 students, nearly one-fifth of which are engaged in graduate studies with about 40 of these in the Environmental Sciences Department.  

The Department's strengths in graduate education and research are in the areas of: Earth surface processes; aquatic, landscape, microbial, plant, soil, and systems ecology; and bioremediation and phytoremediation. Research in other areas of both ecology and geology is also conducted. Much of this research occurs in the Toledo region, and often in other parts of the US and the world.

To be admitted to the Department of Environmental Sciences graduate program, a student must meet both the departmental and Graduate College entrance requirements and also be accepted by a faculty member, who will serve as their research adviser. Prior to applying, students should use this website to investigate the teaching and research activities of the faculty. Students are also encouraged to contact faculty members directly, by either email or telephone (this information is provided on the faculty homepages), and speak to them about their research interests. We welcome visits by prospective students.  

M.S. in Biology: Ecology Track

M.S. in Geology: General

M.S. in Geology: Earth Surface Processes

M.S. in Education: Geology or Biology

Ph.D. in Biology: Ecology Track

Application Process:

For additional information about the campus and the application process, including on-line application, please click here and follow the appropriate links. Students may apply for admission at any time of the year, but if financial assistance is also requested then applications should be received by February 1 for admission during the next academic year.

Financial Assistance:

For information on financial assistance available to MS and PhD students, please click here.

For further information, contact:

Dr. Von Sigler
Phone: (419) 530-2897 
Email:  von.sigler@utoledo.edu