Evolutionary biology is the study of patterns and processes of evolution. Students learn genetics and functional patterns. They study the form and structure of organisms for evidence of their origin.

Do you ever wonder why zebras have stripes and leopards have spots? Are you curious why owls have big eyes, and bats have big ears? Evolutionary biology helps explain the diversity of life. It seeks to understand changes in hereditary traits of organisms over the course of generations.

In this program, you learn to observe, categorize, and classify variation among living organisms. You analyze differences and similarities using computer models. You study processes such as mutation and natural selection. You also learn about genetic variation.

Evolutionary biology has many practical applications. It helps to advance human health and medicine. It also helps agriculture and improves the environment. It furthers our understanding of humanity.

Very few colleges offer a bachelor's degree specifically in evolutionary biology. Most programs combine ecology and evolutionary biology. These take four years of full-time study beyond high school. This training can prepare you for an entry-level position in environmental consulting, government agencies, or as a research assistant.

Senior positions, particularly in research, require at least a master's degree. A master's degree may take up to six years beyond high school to complete. A Ph.D. in evolutionary biology may take an additional two to three years. About 40 universities offer graduate programs in this field.

Graduate students usually choose to focus on a specific subdiscipline of evolution. Some specializations include:

• Behavioral Evolution
• Evolutionary Developmental Biology
• Evolutionary Ecology
• Evolutionary Genetics
• Evolutionary Paleontology
• Evolutionary Physiology/Morphology
• Human Evolution
• Molecular Evolution
• Systematics