Plant Biology
Program overview
The program includes faculty members from 10 departments in 3 colleges. Their research interests range from from the cellular, molecular and biochemical levels to whole-plant physiology and ecophysiology. Students' program of study includes a comprehensive set of team-taught courses that reflect the breadth of scientific fields, and the linkages between them. All students must also complete a thesis based on their own original research.
Work for an M.S. degree is usually completed in two years. The Ph.D. degree requires three or more years of research beyond the M.S. level. B.S.-level applicants with good academic records who have had strong training in plant biology and related courses, including research experience, are admitted directly into the Ph.D. program. More about admission requirements.
As a first-year student in the Ph.D. program you will spend time in different labs to explore potential Ph.D. projects and advisors. These lab rotations introduce you to faculty research programs and develop your skills in problem solving. After you have chosen an advisor, or dual advisors, you will become associated with the (primary) advisor’s academic department, which provides research facilities and office space.
To fulfill the required number of academic credits for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree, you will need to take a set of required courses and a colloquium class. Additional elective courses may be chosen in consultation with your advisor. You may also be able to obtain supervised experience in teaching. More about degree requirements and the curriculum.
Financial aid
Only those applicants pursuing a Ph.D. will be considered for financial support (stipend plus tuition grant-in-aid) — which will be provided throughout their study, provided they remain in good standing and maintain satisfactory progress.
Please note that applicants interested in pursuing an M.S. will be admitted only if they are able to fund their study personally through external scholarships or other sources.
Participating departments
The departments represented by program faculty are:
