Program Requirements
The degree programs in Plant and Environmental Sciences are offered through an interdepartmental program comprised of faculty from disciplines including biological sciences, botany, crop science, entomology, genetics, environmental horticulture, plant pathology, plant physiology and soil science.
Candidates for the program in Plant and Environmental Sciences should have a strong undergraduate background in the biological, agricultural and/or physical sciences as appropriate to their focus areas. Undergraduate curricula that may provide this background are botany, biology, chemistry, or one of the agricultural plant and soil environmental sciences such as agronomy, forest resources, or horticulture. Students with nontraditional backgrounds may need to complete some relevant undergraduate courses to supplement the graduate program.
Each student’s degree program is tailored to his/her professional goals and is guided by an advisor and graduate committee with expertise appropriate to the student’s area of specialization. All graduate students must select an advisor before admission.
Candidates for the MS degree must complete 24 credit hours of coursework and six hours of research, and they must present and defend a thesis based on original research. MS students who plan nonresearchrelated careers in public gardening, landscape design, extension, consulting, or agribusiness may complete 30 credit hours of coursework and undertake a professional development/public service project option in lieu of thesis-related research. Interdisciplinary studies in plant health and integrated pest management are also available under this option.
Individual plans of study include courses from the following areas: biochemistry, biological sciences, botany, crop and soil environmental science, entomology, genetics, horticulture and plant pathology as well as plant and environmental sciences.
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