Plant Pathology
Academic Programs
Plant Pathology offers three graduate degree programs: M.S., Ph.D., and a professional Master of Plant Protection and Pest Management (M.P.P.P.M.). The M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are traditional academic degree programs preparing scientists for positions in academe, government and the private sector. The M.P.P.P.M. degree is a comprehensive multi-disciplinary non-thesis degree program in plant protection, designed to produce graduates with a sound academic background in plant pathology, entomology, weed science and crop fertility. The goal of this program is to help students acquire the academic and technical skills to develop integrated plant protection systems for rural and urban environments.
The Department emphasizes quality graduate education in the classroom, laboratory and field. Students receive excellent training in bacteriology, epidemiology, genetics, host-pathogen interactions, mycology, nematology, molecular biology, pest management and virology. Many faculty include basic and applied aspects to their program so the student is exposed to the many facets of plant pathology. The faculty maintains high standards and works closely with students to provide maximum individual attention. Students must be highly motivated and committed to understanding how basic biological principles are applied to the science of plant pathology so diseases can be understood and managed. In return, students can make significant contributions to agriculture, industry, science and society.