We offer Masters and Ph.D. degrees in three graduate programs: Plant Pathology, Plant Biology, and Weed Science. Research programs cover a broad range of activities, including virology, plant and fungal biochemistry, molecular biology, cell and developmental biology, physiology, plant genetics and genomics, plant-microbe interactions, disease management, aquatic biology, and integrated weed management. The formal curriculum depends partly on the selected program of study but generally includes advanced coursework and seminars designed to help students develop a breadth of research skills.

Plant Biology

Can't decide which area or research program is right for you? Many first year graduate students prefer to do a lab rotation between several labs and then commit to a program.

Master's Degree:

Thesis Master's Degree program requires that students satisfactorily complete course work included on the plan of study, complete the research which culminates in the thesis, and pass an oral examination over course work and thesis research. Master's plans of study require 30 hours of combined course and research credits.

Non-Thesis Master's Degree is permitted but excludes research assistantships. It is designed for those students who do not plan to pursue a career in research. A student who selects a non-thesis master's option should satisfactorily complete a minimum of 32 hours of classes. In addition, the student will be required to pass a final oral examination over the course work.

Ph.D. Degree:

The Ph.D. Degree is individualized for each student. As with the master's, the Ph.D. program requires that the student complete the courses listed on their plan of study, the research that culminates in the thesis, pass the required preliminary and final exams, and submit the final thesis to the library and the department. Ph.D. plans of study require 90 hours of combined course and research credits. A two-part written and oral preliminary exam is taken after the first year of study. Normally four to six years of graduate work are necessary to complete the requirements for the Ph.D. degree.