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Program Details

Graduate Program: Plant Science (MS)

General Information

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Program/Degree
Plant Science (MS)  
Program Description

The Plant Science MS program provides training in the plant sciences through core and elective coursework and research opportunities in molecular, cellular, genetic, genomic, and physiological aspects of plants, including model organisms, crops, and wild relatives. New MS students have the opportunity to rotate through two labs, to gain experience with the scientific questions and techniques employed in each. Following the selection of a permanent lab and a Major Advisor, students deepen their expertise in that lab's research area through participation in all aspects of the lab activities. With guidance from the Major Advisor, students then develop and execute a novel research project and disseminate their results through a Master’s Thesis and potentially a scientific publication.


 Core coursework is minimal and includes cross-training in plant microbiology, to ensure a solid foundation in major plant biotic interactions. Elective coursework, chosen in consultation with the student’s advisors, deepens expertise in areas related to the intended direction within plant science research.

The Plant Science MS prepares students for careers in agency, industry, and academic institutions that require a solid background in plant science and experience with research techniques and experimental design.

 

 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

School of Plant Science

The School of Plant Sciences has an international reputation for basic and applied research on plant sciences, plant microbiology, and plant pathology. Our research responds to the urgent question of how to provide plant and microbial-based solutions to sustainably feed and clothe an anticipated ten billion humans by the year 2050. Outcomes of our vision include a broadly trained, job-ready workforce prepared to meet future challenges to agricultural and urban plant systems; robust research and extension programs that support plant improvements through genetics, breeding, and symbioses; novel strategies for mitigating plant disease and improving food safety; and innovative land management strategies to optimize plant growth.

We offer two distinct graduate programs: Plant Science (PhD, MS, and Minor) and Plant Pathology (PhD, MS, and Minor). The Plant Science graduate program prepares students for careers focused on all aspects of plants, including interactions with abiotic and biotic factors, whereas the Plant Pathology prepares students for careers focused on microbes, particularly fungi and plant-associated bacteria and viruses, both beneficial and pathogenic.

 
College

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

 
Campus where offered

University of Arizona - Main - Tucson

 
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Amanda Armendariz
520-621-1219
Graduate Program Coordinator
Amanda Armendariz
520-621-1219
Director of Graduate Studies
Monica Schmidt
520-626-1643
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Guadalupe Estrella
520-621-3484
 
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

The following items are required for admissions to our program, in addition to the items required by the Graduate College:

  1. Statement of Purpose: Describe your academic background, previous research experience, current research interests that are relevant to our program, and career goals. Include information about which research labs you would like to consider joining; contact those faculty in advance, and report here on your interactions. Maximum 2 pages.
  2. CV: List your education, work, volunteer, and any other relevant experiences. One to two pages.
  3. Letters of recommendation: Three are required.
  4. Proof of English proficiency: For international students from non-english speaking countries, the Graduate College requires proof of proficiency in English for admission (see https://admissions.arizona.edu/how-to-apply/international/english-proficiency). Further, because our program requires service for least one semester as a Teaching Assistant, applicants should meet or exceed the additional English proficiency required of a TA appointment (see https://grad.arizona.edu/funding/ga/english-speaking-proficiency-evaluation).
 
Standardized Tests

We do not require the GRE.

 
Funding Opportunities

Excellent student applicants are offered support during the first  semester, during rotations, through a combination of Scholarships and Research Assistantships. Thereafter, pending successful identification of a Major Advisor and achieving satisfactory academic performance, year-round support is generally offered through a blend of Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships. Support includes tuition, student-only health insurance, and a nationally competitive stipend.

 
Admissions Deadlines

Fall admission: for full consideration of your application, it must be received by December 1 of each year, for admission the following Fall.
Spring admission: we will not be accepting applications for Spring admission at this time, with rare exceptions for targeted recruiting.

 

 

 

 
International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

30 

Core Coursework Requirements

The following courses are required for the Plant Science MS (20 units):

  • PLS 560,  Advanced Plant Biology, 4 units, minimum grade expected B
  • PLP 550, Principles of Plant Microbiology, 4 units, minimum grade expected B
  • PLS 592, Directed Research,  2 units (1 unit each for two 7.5-week laboratory rotations), minimum grade expected B
  • PLS 596A, School of Plant Sciences Seminar, 2 units (1 unit each for two semesters)
  • PLS 695A, School of Plant Sciences Journal Club, 2 units (1 unit each for two semesters)
  • PLS 910, Thesis, 6 units

 

 
Elective Coursework

Elective credits (minimum 10 units) may be selected from the following courses. Substitutions may be considered at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies. The minimum expected grade is B but exceptions may be made as long as the cumulative GPA is maintained at 3.2 (see “Satisfactory Progress” in our handbook). Research units do not contribute to the GPA.

  • BE 513 Applied Biostatistics (4units)
  • BE 587 Metagenomics (3 units)
  • BIOC 565 Proteins and Enzymes (3 units)
  • BIOC 585 Biological Structure I (4 units)
  • ECOL 553 Functional and Evolutionary Genomics (4 units)
  • ECOL 575 Freshwater and Marine Algae (4 units)
  • EVNS 502 Nutrient Dynamics in Soil (3 units)
  • MCB 546 Genetic and Molecular Networks (4 units)
  • MCB 573 Recombinant DNA Methods and Applications  (4 units)
  • MCB 580 Introduction to Systems Biology (3 units)
  • MCB 572A Cell Systems (4 units)
  • MCB 577 Principles of Cell Biology (3 units)
  • PLS 583 Controlled Environment Systems  (3 units)
  • PLS 572 Plant Systematics (4 units)
  • PLS 524R Plant Biotechnology (3 units)
  • PLS 529 Applied Cyberinfrastructure Concepts (3 units)
  • PLS 539 Methods in Cell Biology and Genomics (3 units)
  • PLS 540 Mechanisms in Plant Development (3 units)
  • PLS 548A Plant Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering (3 units)
  • PLS 549A Plant Genetics and Genomics (3 units)
  • PLS 575A Physiology of Plant Production under Controlled Environment (3 units)
  • PLS 579 Applied Instrumentation for Controlled Environment Agriculture (3 units)
  • PLS 580 Medicinal Plants (3 units)
  • STAT 571B Design of Experiments (3 units)
  • PLS 900 Research (variable units)
 
Additional Requirements
  • Teaching: One semester of service as a Teaching Assistant is required.
  • Research presentations: One oral presentation of student work is required, in addition to the public presentation associated with the thesis defense.
  • Thesis: As a research-intense program, it is expected that each MS student will complete a Thesis, summarizing a novel research project and in preparation for a scientific publication.
 
Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

 

Program StatisticsInformation about these numbers

Program-level Information
Application Acceptance Rate 22.22%
Med. Time-to-degree (years) 1.75
 
Department-level Information
Enrollment Percent Male 40%
Enrollment Percent Female 60%
Enrollment Percent International 20%
Enrollment Percent URM 20%

Back to statistics
  • All application, admit, and enrollment data are from Fall 2020.
  • Median Time to Degree calculates how long graduates in the last 5 years (2015-2019) took to complete their degrees, counting back to the first semester entering their program. This measure uses the methodology established in the 2011 Assessment of Research-Doctorate Programs by the National Research Council.
  • Underrepresented Minorities (URM) includes domestic students of ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/PLSMS
Last revised 29 Sep 2021
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