Information for Prospective Students

Announcements will be posted on this page when I am seeking students for specific projects.  While I am always open to inquiries from individuals wishing to pursue a graduate degree, please realize the number of students I can accept depends on many factors, including (1) the mesh of the student's and my interests, (2) the number of students I have already, and (3) the availability of funding to support the student.

While I like to be actively engaged with my students (offering guidance as needed), they must realize that I am stationed at Clemson's Baruch lab in Georgetown, 5 hours away from the main campus.  Thus, each student is allowed a fair degree of latitude for originality and exploration in developing his or her research skills.  I recommend that a student attend the first fall semester on campus taking courses and formulating their research plan.  Then plan on spending the following spring ad summer in Georgetown working on the research project.  The second fall semester, the student would again be on campus taking courses and collecting research data on fieldtrips as needed.  I expect my students to be scholars, actively engaged in the process of advancing scientific knowledge through their research and studies.  My main interests include recovery mechanisms of forested wetlands following disturbance, regeneration problems in forested wetlands, response of woody species to flooding and salinity, impact of water management on wetland productivity, use of native plants to control erosion, and regional studies of wetland processes. I frequently collaborate with researchers doing research throughout the southern United States, so students have opportunities to gain experience in these areas as well.
 

SOURCES OF GENERAL INFORMATION

Clemson University maintains a web page for prospective students.  From there you can find links to such useful resources as the graduate admission forms, course listings, and financial information.
 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

If you are looking for ways to fund your graduate studies, you might investigate the EPA STAR and the NSF graduate fellowships.  For citizens of countries other than the United States, the US State Department's Fulbright Program offers fellowships for graduate study.
 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. William H. Conner
Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science
Box 596
Georgetown, SC 29442   USA

Phone: (843) 546-6323
Fax:    (843)  546-6296
E-mail: wconner@clemson.edu