Plant Pathology - Graduate

Plant pathology is a broad discipline that ranges from basic studies of physiological and genetic aspects of plant diseases to the development of practical plant disease controls. It encompasses the science required to understand the causes of plant diseases as well as the art of preventing or controlling these diseases. Thus, the plant pathologist must have knowledge of plant biology as well as practical plant culture. Plant pathology, as a discipline, is actively involved in the newly emerging field of biotechnology.

Graduates in plant pathology (Ph.D.- level individuals) commonly find employment as research scientists in universities, the government (U.S. Department of Agriculture), industry or with various international development agencies. Graduates with the M.S. degree often work as research technicians in industries, universities or government laboratories or as sales or technical representatives in the agrichemical or plant breeding industries.

To qualify for graduate study in plant pathology an undergraduate student should obtain a solid background in the basic sciences, especially biology and chemistry, mathematics, English and communication skills.

In order to become a fully trained plant pathologist, one or more graduate degrees in plant pathology are required. The department offers both M.S. and Ph.D. programs with opportunities to specialize in a wide range of basic or applied research fields.

The department offers programs of study and research leading to the Master of Science, Master of Agriculture in the emphasis area of plant pathology, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Programs are concerned with the cause, development, and management of plant diseases. Research problems are involved with on-going projects in the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, which include investigations on disease management (chemical, cultural, biological, and genetic) soil-borne diseases, virology, phytobacteriology, genetics, hostparasite physiology, and application of biotechnology and molecular genetics to basic plant disease research. Individual programs can be developed toward basic research or can be developed to provide a broad practical background in plant health and pest management.

Admission Requirements

It is desirable that applicants have a strong background in biological or agricultural sciences. All requirements of the Graduate College must be satisfied by each applicant. In addition, applicants for graduate programs in plant pathology are required to take the Graduate Record Examination and to submit their scores with their applications and transcripts. Approval for admittance will be determined by the departmental screening committee and the department head. During the first semester of enrollment, each student, after council with the department head, will select a faculty adviser. Each graduate program is under the direction of the major adviser and a selected faculty committee and is adapted to the needs of the graduate student. There is no graduate credit for courses below the 4000 level. Each student will follow a program of study and research approved by his or her committee and, except for the Master of Agriculture degree, must submit an approved thesis.

You can learn more about this program on the department homepage.