Prospective Graduate Students

MVZ 2018 Retreat – UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens
Prospective Graduate Students

Graduate students in the MVZ typically receive their degrees through the Department of Integrative Biology (IB) or the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM). Information for prospective students (e.g., application and admissions procedures) can be found on the websites of the departments.

Students who are working with Faculty Curators are automatically admitted to the MVZ and are housed in offices adjacent to faculty offices within the MVZ.  Graduate students who are working with MVZ Affiliated Faculty (and in some cases with other faculty as well) may be nominated in their second or later year to become an Affiliated Graduate Student.

MVZ students have access to all of the Museum facilities and resources, including research and conference support. Financial support for students is through fellowships, Graduate Student Instructorships, or Graduate Student Researcher positions.

Prospective graduate students interested in applying to the IB or ESPM and Museum programs should contact individual Faculty members directly to discuss their goals and prospects.


Prospective Affiliated Graduate Students

Students who are working with MVZ Affiliated Faculty (and in some cases with other faculty as well) may be nominated in their second or later year to become an Affiliated Student. Students working with non-affiliated faculty may be nominated if their research aligns with that of the MVZ.

Nominations come from the student’s faculty advisor and should be e-mailed to the MVZ Director,  Michael Nachman. The nomination should include:
(1) A letter of support from the faculty advisor
(2) The student’s CV
(3) A one-page statement from the student indicating their interest in the MVZ and plans to contribute to the MVZ
(4) A one-page research statement

Once admitted, Affiliated Graduate Students are treated the same as graduate students in the labs of faculty curators and have access to all of the Museum facilities and resources, including research and conference support. Financial support for students is through fellowships, Graduate Student Instructorships, or Graduate Student Researcher positions. Affiliated Graduate Students are expected to participate in MVZ events such as the Annual Symposium, Annual Retreat, and MVZ Lunch Seminar. We welcome new Affiliated Graduate Students to become part of our diverse and rich intellectual community and participate in community and social activities.

Questions? Please contact the Affiliated Graduate Student Liaison, graduate student Ben Karin, with any questions you have or for further information. Check out the MVZ Calendar for a schedule of social and academic events at the museum.