Program Description
The degree programs in Plant and Environmental Sciences (PES) 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 PES programs should have a strong background in the biological, agricultural and/or physical sciences as appropriate to their focus areas. Examples of 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. Individual plans of study include courses from the following areas: biochemistry, biological sciences, botany, crop and soil environmental science, entomology, genetics, horticulture, plant pathology, and plant and environmental sciences. Thesis and non-thesis options are available.
Summary of Degree Requirements
Thesis Option
The master’s thesis option degree program requires a minimum of 24 hours of graduate credit and a minimum of six hours of master’s thesis research (8910).
Non-Thesis Option
The master’s non-thesis option degree program includes a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit, none of which may be a master’s thesis research course.
