Plant Science, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

A program of study approved by the Advisor must be completed by the end of the 3rd semester of enrollment. This plan must be filed with the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture.

The Graduate School requires that every student seeking the Ph.D. satisfactorily complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of dissertation credits (899). 

A proposal must be approved by the Graduate Advisory Committee by the end of the 3rd semester of study.

Advance to Candidacy: In addition to the coursework outlined, students must satisfactorily pass an oral qualifying exam by the 5th semester of study to be admitted to candidacy. It is the responsibility of the student to submit an application for admission to candidacy when all the requirements for candidacy have been fulfilled.

Post-Candidacy:  All students must complete at least 12 credits of PLSC899 Doctoral Dissertation Research and successfully complete, publicly present, and defend an original dissertation to be submitted to the Graduate School.

It is the responsibility of the Advisor and Student to ensure that all University Research Assurances are followed.

Ph.D. Degree Requirements without prior M.S. degree (36 credits minimum)
Course Title Credits
Core Requirement
PLSC608Research Methods2
PLSC618Advances in Research; Critiquing Primary Plant Science Literature1
PLSC619Seminars in Plant Science and Landscape Architecture1
Other courses at 600 level or above 18
Other courses at 400 level or above12
Plan of study should include Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, and Statistics. 2
PLSC899Doctoral Dissertation Research (Post-Candidacy)12
Total Credits36
Ph.D. Degree Requirements with prior M.S. degree (28 credits minimum)
Course Title Credits
Core Requirement
600 level or above 38
400 level or above8
Plan of study should include Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, and Statistics, if not taken.
PLSC899Doctoral Dissertation Research (Post-Candidacy)12
Total Credits28
1

Includes PLSC898

2

400-level or above.

3

Should include PLSC608, PLSC618, PLSC619 (if not taken); PLSC898