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 additional relevant 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.
Summary of Degree Requirements
The Plant and Environmental Sciences PhD program course and research credit requirements follow the guidelines of the graduate school, requiring a minimum of 30 credits beyond the master’s degree, and at least 60 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. Beyond the MS degree, a minimum of 12 credit hours of non-research coursework and a minimum of 18 hours of dissertation research are required.
