Understanding the fundamental concepts of plant breeding, genetics, and genomics is essential to providing solutions to the wide array of problems in food, fiber and energy production that are facing the growing world population. In the Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics graduate program area, students receive training in a wide range of courses and research programs in plant physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, plant-microbe interactions, breeding and biotechnology. We encourage interdisciplinary training that provides a comprehensive preparation for careers in research and education in plant biology, genetics and related areas.
- During the Fall and Winter semesters, MS students and PhD students who have not completed their comprehensive exam must enroll for 9 credits to be considered a full time student.
- Students must complete an approved teaching opportunity or an approved extension program. For more information review the graduate teaching requirement.
M.S. Requirements
To satisfy the course requirements for a Masters degree, a student must complete:
- A minimum of 30 credit hours from courses numbered 7000 – 9000
- 15 credit hours (towards the 30 credit hour requirement) must be from courses numbered at the 8000 or 9000 level
- 12 credit hours (towards the 30 credit hour requirement) can be satisfied by research, readings and problems courses.
The core requirements for the Masters degree in Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics program are:
- Plnt S 8010 Professionalism and Ethics (2 credits)
- Participation in the student seminar series
- Plnt S 9087 (1 credit)
- Plnt S 7087 (2 credits – Must enroll twice)
- Plnt S 8090 Thesis Research (1 – 10 credits per semester)
The Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics program area emphasizes a customized approach towards the course of study. Each student will work with their adviser and graduate committee to develop a course of study best suited to the student’s educational and career goals. Prospective courses are listed below:
Bridging courses to expand your background in plant biology
- Plnt S 7315 Crop Physiology (3 credits)
- Plnt S 7320 Plant Physiology (3 credits)
- Plnt S 7500 Biology and Pathogenesis of Plant-Associated Microbes (4 credits)
Elective Courses to fulfill the requirement for 15 credit hours at the 8000 or 9000 level.
Examples include:
- Bio_SC 8310 Fungal Genetics and Biology (3 credits)
- Plnt S 8330 Molecular Breeding (3 credits)
- Plnt S 8362 Introduction to Plant Metabolism (2 credits)
- Plnt S 8365 Introduction to Molecular Cell Biology (2 credits)
- Plnt S 8430 Introduction to Bioinformatics Programming (4 credits)
- Plnt S 9415 Physiology of Plant responses to the Environment (3 credits)
- Plnt S 9440 Applied Quantitative and Statistical Genetics (3 credits)
- Plnt S 9540 Genetics of the Plant-Microbe Interaction (3 credits)
- Plnt S 9810 Insect Ecology (3 credits)
Ph.D. Requirements
To satisfy the course requirements for a doctoral degree, a student must complete:
- A minimum of 72 credit hours from courses numbered 7000-9000 (this includes dissertation research credit hours – i.e. Plnt S 9090)
- 15 credit hours (towards the 72 hour requirement) must be from courses numbered at the 8000 or 9000 level, exclusive of dissertation research, problems or independent study
The core requirements for the PhD degree in Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics program are:
- Plnt S 8010 Professionalism and Ethics (2 credits)
- Participation in the student seminar series
- Plnt S 9087 (1 credit)
- Plnt S 7087 (2 credits – Must enroll twice)
- Plnt S 8090 Thesis Research (1 – 10 credits per semester)
The Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics program area emphasizes a customized approach towards the course of study. Each student will work with their adviser and graduate committee to develop a course of study best suited to the student’s educational and career goals. Prospective courses are listed below:
Bridging courses to expand your background in plant biology
- Plnt S 7315 Crop Physiology (3 credits)
- Plnt S 7320 Plant Physiology (3 credits)
- Plnt S 7500 Biology and Pathogenesis of Plant-Associated Microbes (4 credits)
Elective Courses to fulfill the requirement for 15 credit hours at the 8000 or 9000 level.
Examples include:
- BIO SI 8300 Advanced Plant Genetics (3 credits)
- Bio_SC 8310 Fungal Genetics and Biology (3 credits)
- Plnt S 8330 Molecular Breeding (3 credits)
- Plnt S 8362 Introduction to Plant Metabolism (2 credits)
- Plnt S 8365 Introduction to Molecular Cell Biology (2 credits)
- Plnt S 8430 Introduction to Bioinformatics Programming (4 credits)
- Plnt S 9415 Physiology of Plant responses to the Environment (3 credits)
- Plnt S 9440 Applied Quantitative and Statistical Genetics (3 credits)
- Plnt S 9540 Genetics of the Plant-Microbe Interaction (3 credits)
- Plnt S 9810 Insect Ecology (3 credits)
Advising
Kristin Bilyeu, soybean seed quality
Christine Elsik, computational biology & bioinformatics
Sherry Flint-Garcia, maize genetic diversity
Felix Fritschi, crop physiology
Walter Gassmann, molecular plant pathogen interactions
Jason Gillman, genetic basis for valuable seed traits
Bruce Hibbard, insect resistance management
Chin-Feng Hwang, grape genetics & breeding
Hari Krishnan, soybean molecular biology
David Mendoza-Cozatl, plant stress biology
Blake Meyers, plant RNA & genomics
Ron Mittler, plant stress biology
Henry T. Nguyen, genetics & biotechnology
Mel Oliver, plant genetics
Andrew Scaboo, soybeans
James Schoelz, molecular plant virus interactions
Robert Sharp, plant physiology
Gary Stacey, functional genomics of soybean microbe interactions
Bing Yang, plant-bacterial interactions