General Information

The Department of Plant Pathology offers graduate majors leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. All students entering the MS or Ph.D. programs are expected to have a good background in basic sciences. Graduate education is designed to help students learn the scientific discipline of Plant Pathology, develop independent and team research skills, and develop communication skills needed by professional scientists. Students seeking experience in teaching and extension activities will find abundant opportunities within and external to the curriculum.

Graduate students select a Plant Pathology graduate faculty advisor who assists them in forming an advisory committee appropriate to their course of study and thesis research project. The selection of a thesis research project for MS and Ph.D. degree students is often based upon the research interest of the faculty advisor and funding opportunities.

The MS Degree Program

Students may pursue the master of science degree program following one of two options: Plan A, which requires a thesis based on independent research and a final oral examination after completion of the degree course requirements, or Plan B, which requires more course work and two written reports instead of a thesis and oral examination. Students need a minimum of two years to complete either plan.

All MS students must fulfill curriculum requirements spelled out by the Department in the Graduate School Bulletin. They take a foundation course called the Biology of Plant Pathogens, and a course called Field Plant Pathology, present one seminar and supplement the remainder of their major program with additional disciplinary course work and in minor fields related to plant pathology or in supporting programs in two or more disciplines. Specific course selections depend on degree requirements and on individual interests and background.
    
Among additional plant pathology courses available are physiological and molecular plant-microbe interactions, genomics, epidemiology and genetics of host-parasite interactions, biology and ecology of fungi, disease diagnosis, diseases of forest and shade trees, plant nematology, and plant virology.

The Ph.D. Degree Program

Students in the doctoral program usually spend a minimum of three years beyond the master's degree to obtain the Ph.D. degree. All Ph.D. students must fulfill curriculum requirements spelled out by the Department in the Graduate School Bulletin. Students are required to take physiological and molecular plant-microbe interactions, epidemiology and genetics of host-parasite interactions, and causal organisms of plant disease. Doctoral students participate in advanced courses for in-depth examination of the research and literature in specific areas in plant pathology, and present two seminars. Doctoral students also complete a minor field of study or supporting courses in two or more disciplines, written and oral preliminary examinations, a thesis based on original research, and an oral defense of the thesis.