Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology

Welcome Message from Chair Joel L. Sachs

Welcome to the Department of Evolution Ecology & Organismal Biology (EEOB) at the University of California, Riverside!

The EEOB department is responsible for instruction of the Biology major -- consistently among the largest majors on campus. We teach classes ranging from molecular and cellular biology, to ecology, evolution, and physiology of living organisms.

What is EEOB?

Our department conducts research, teaching, and service in many areas of the life sciences, including animal behavior, behavioral endocrinology, biomechanics, cell biology, conservation biology, ecology, ecomorphology, evolution, genetics, physiology, population biology, systematics, and theoretical ecology. Our graduate program is also named EEOB and offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, with an emphasis on the latter. We are also part of the Evolutionary Biology Joint-Doctoral Program with San Diego State University. In addition, our faculty and graduate students are affiliated with several interdepartmental graduate programs, including: Biophysics; Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology; Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics; Biomedical Sciences; and Neuroscience. We also offer many opportunities for undergraduate research.

Weekly Seminars

Department of Evolution, Ecology, & Organismal Biology Colloquium
see schedule at BIOL 252 Seminars
Thursdays at 4pm, Genomics Auditorium

Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology Graduate Program Seminar
see schedule at EEOB 265 Lunch Bunch
Fridays at noon, normally in 2200 Spieth Hall

Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics (GGB) Graduate Program Seminar
see schedule at BIOL/GGB 261
Wednesdays at 12pm

Neuroscience Seminar Series
see schedule at NRSC 287
Tuesdays at 4pm Genomics Auditorium

Graduate Program

The EEOB Graduate Program, part of the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, offers graduate study leading to both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. As a member of the program, you will have a unique and diverse set of educational experiences, including: a broad background in evolution, ecology, and organismal biology; exposure to exciting and modern research; training in pedagogy and the opportunity to teach undergraduate laboratories and discussion sections; and immersion in your specific area of concentration. These experiences will serve you well while in graduate school and also prepare you for a successful career in biology.

EEOB News

February 11, 2025

Faculty promotions and awards celebrated

UC Riverside honored faculty members for their achievements at the 2025 Faculty Awards Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 6.

December 19, 2024

Wildlife Highlights

Watch the fall 2024 highlights from Spasojevic Ecology Lab's camera traps at the San Jacinto Forest Dynamics plot near Idyllwild, California, and the UCR James Reserve.

December 13, 2024

THE EEOB Graduate Program is Proud to Announce the PH.D. Dissertation Defense of Tesa Madsen-Hepp

Title: "Unraveling the processes of plant community assembly in an era of global change: insights from a dryland ecosystem"

August 26, 2024

Junior faculty honored for being outstanding teachers

Congratulations Lucy Delaney! To be recognized by UCR’s exclusive Academy of Distinguished Teaching as a junior faculty member, one must be more than a cutting-edge researcher. One must also be an outstanding teacher. Four individuals have been recognized this year...

August 26, 2024

Ria Ghosh, Presents Research at Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting 2024

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) — the nation’s largest organization of professional ecologists— held their annual meeting on August 4-9, 2024 where thousands of ecological scientists, educators, students, and practitioners gathered from around the world to share new research...

August 17, 2024

This Red Ingredient May Be Safe To Add To Hummingbird Nectar, But Should You?

Have you ever noticed that many hummingbird feeders are bright red? Have you ever wondered why?

August 15, 2024

The EEOB Graduate Program is proud to annouce the Ph.D. Dissertation Defense of Sam Kubica

Title: "The evolution of mammalian vertebral number”

August 13, 2024

Rahul Almeida wins 2024-25 Strauss Scholarship

Rahul Almeida, a biology undergrad expected to graduate from UC Riverside in 2025, has been awarded $15,000 from the Donald A. Strauss Foundation to fund an educational intervention program he organized called, “Food for Thought.”

More EEOB News

Support our Vision

With your contribution to our community, our department will be able to expand its research not only in a national level but international where our students will be able to uncover the most extraordinary finds.

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