In the educational domain, the EEW is part of the national graduate schools Functional Ecology and Biodiversity, and has strong links with the National Natural-History Museum Naturalis and the Leiden Branch of the National Herbarium. We emphasize the integration of empirical, experimental and theoretical approaches, using a wide variety of organisms as model systems. Training in conducting research projects is central to our programme. Subdisciplines Animal Ecology. Integrated approach of behavioural ecology, life-history evolution, population dynamics, and the diversity of ecological communities of insects.
Applied research is in the field of pest control.
Evolution of adaptive traits , including evo-devo , gene mapping and conservation genetics. The integrated approach focuses on the causal, functional and historical explanations of phenotypic and genotypic variation in populations and species, both in space and time. Examination of functioning and evolution of complex structures and complex physiological processes, such as energy metabolism, in vertebrates. Emphasis is on developmental and molecular research. Functional and evolutionary explanations of complex structures in vertebrates and their transformations during ontogeny and evolution.