Graduate Program

The normal timeline for KBS Ph.D. students involves initially completing coursework at MSU’s main campus in East Lansing and then moving to study on-site at KBS. For M.S. students you will complete coursework on main campus and spend summers at KBS doing research.

Ph.D. students at KBS typically spend their first 1-2 academic years on MSU’s main campus in East Lansing, where they take classes and participate in departmental activities.  Many students are supported by departmental teaching assistantships and teach classes during these first 1-2 years. Summers are typically spent at KBS in Hickory Corners, taking field courses and initiating research.

Our graduates have gone on to faculty positions at major research universities (e.g., Dartmouth College, University of Florida, University of Texas), as well as first-rate liberal arts colleges (e.g., Denison University, Franklin & Marshall College, Grinnell College), and to be scientists at government agencies (e.g., USDA, Smithsonian) and NGOs (e.g., Defenders of Wildlife).

In addition to research seminars and discussion groups for students and faculty, KBS hosts a variety of visiting scholars. KBS graduate students also have the chance to develop professionally by mentoring young scientists through the KBS URA and REU programs.

***Students should initiate contact with their potential KBS faculty advisor, as well as the KBS Director, to indicate interest in studying at KBS and discuss future plans.

Students interested in working with a KBS faculty member should apply to MSU via the main campus department of their potential KBS faculty advisor. Faculty departmental affiliations can be found on our Faculty page.  You may also want to participate in MSU’s graduate programs in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior (EEBB) and Environmental Science and Public Policy (ESPP).

Graduate students at MSU’s main campus can apply for “KBS visiting graduate student” status, the student should submit a letter of application and CV to the KBS Director, along with a letter of support from their campus advisor and KBS host faculty. Any MSU (or other) graduate student can participate in KBS courses or conduct research at KBS.  Please contact the KBS Director for more information.

Living on-site at KBS offers an amazing chance to stay in close proximity to field facilities, laboratories and KBS colleagues. Graduate students can rent both short- and long-term accommodations conveniently located on KBS property. Students who live at KBS can easily walk or bike to laboratories and field sites.

More information on KBS lodging can be found by clicking HERE.

Restaurants and grocery shopping are all accessible in nearby Hickory Corners, Richland, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. Additionally, Kalamazoo offers students outstanding opportunities for culture, outdoor activities and fun.  Students, faculty and staff enjoy a high level of integrated community across KBS. From delicious lunches in McCrary Dining Hall to game nights in on-site housing, graduate students will find that KBS offers a great environment for friendship and community outside of work and studying.

A variety of grants and fellowships, as well as assistantships, are available for graduate students. Funds are available to both residential and visiting students, and may be used to cover tuition, research expenses and/or living expenses.

More information about the various funding opportunities for graduate students at KBS can be found HERE.

Applying for graduate school can be overwhelming! We’ve curated a list of resources to help you through the process.

Read Demystifying the Graduate School Application Process– written by a team of researchers at UC Berkeley, this article explicitly identifies some of the “hidden curricula” of academia that can serve as a barrier to applying for graduate school.

The Inclusive Graduate Education Network (IGEN) is a partnership whose mission is to increase the number of underrepresented students earning physical science PhDs. They offer a variety of resources including links to programs and funding opportunities as well as advice on preparing grad school applications.

Pathways to Science is an excellent resource for finding graduate programs and funding opportunities. They also offer webinars on topics like funding your graduate school education, writing personal statements, and getting a strong letter of recommendation.

Tips on writing a letter to potential graduate advisors– written by KBS Professor Dr. Sarah Evans

Instructors: Dr. Anne Bronikowski (abroniko@msu.edu) and Dr. Claudia Crowther (crowth18@msu.edu)

• The KBS Professional Development Seminar Series (formerly “Career Pathways” is held annually during the spring semester and geared toward graduate students and post-doctoral researchers. A wide variety of faculty and professionals share their insights and tools for achieving success as a scientist in a major university setting, as well as in other career pathways.
• Most seminars take place on selected Wednesdays, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Zoom unless otherwise noted.
• If taking the course for 1 credit, students must attend and participate in at least nine out of the eleven dates to receive a mark of an “A.” However, if you attend another professional development training with MSU, it may count toward one of the nine seminar date requirements (proof of attendance is required). Grades will be assigned as follows based on attendance: A >7, B=6, C=5, D=4, F<3 seminars.
• Everyone is welcome, even if you are not officially enrolled in the course.
• Software and tools to be used in this course: Zoom and Google Drive.
• Recorded seminars: Available only upon prior request and with the presenter’s consent.

Special Opportunities:

In 2024 we will offer a multi-session Entering Mentoring Training led by our in-house team of certified Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences  in Research (CIMER) trainers.

*** All new KBS undergraduate program mentors are required to attend the mentoring workshops. 

The syllabus content is subject to change, and information will be provided upon change of scheduling dates or requirements.

If you have questions about the seminar or any of its content, please feel free to contact the instructors, 

We offer several several courses for graduate students, and all undergraduate courses are also open to graduate students. Courses at the 400-level can be used for graduate credit at MSU.

For more details about the summer courses and workshops we offer at KBS, please click HERE.

**If you are a PhD student attending an institution in the Big 10 Academic Alliance, you may become a BTAA Traveling Scholar in order to register and pay for KBS (MSU) courses through your home institution.  Please contact the BTAA representative at your institution at least six (6) weeks prior to the start of your desired course to begin the process.