Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Pathology

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Program Link:
https://plantpath.wsu.edu/graduate/phd/
Program Handbook:
https://plantpath.wsu.edu/graduate/student-handbooks/
Student Learning Outcomes:
https://plantpath.wsu.edu/graduate/learning-outcomes/
Total Graduate Faculty in Program:
14
Total Core Graduate Faculty in Program:
14
Graduate Students in Program:
19
Students Receiving Assistantships:
19
Priority Deadlines:

  • Fall January 10
  • Spring July 1

Campus:

  • Pullman

International Student English Proficiency Exams

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

Degree Description:

Plant Pathology is the study of plant diseases caused by pathogens and environmental factors; it involves study in mycology, bacteriology, nematology, virology, disease physiology and biochemistry, molecular biology of host-parasite relationships, etiology, ecology and epidemiology of plant diseases, disease resistance, and integrated disease management using cultural, chemical, biological and and biotechnological approaches. Because of its broad mission, the Department of Plant Pathology has strong interrelationships with all other plant- and biology-oriented departments and commodity groups within the state and nationally and internationally. The mission of the department reflects the strategic goals of Washington State University by advancing knowledge of plant pathology through creative research and scholarship, by extending that knowledge worldwide through the training of graduate students, and by applying the knowledge to protect the quality and quantity of the local and global food supply.

Doctorate in Plant Pathology requires graded course work and completion of dissertation research. The degree involves study in mycology, bacteriology, nematology, virology, disease physiology and biochemistry, molecular biology of host-parasite relationships, etiology, ecology and epidemiology of plant diseases, disease resistance, and integrated disease management by developing and deploying cultural, chemical, biological, and biotechnoological approaches.

Admission Requirements:

Admission is based on assessment of a student’s potential for performing at the graduate level as determined by scholastic record, letters of recommendation, and additional information. Superior students with a bachelor’s degree in the biological, agricultural, or physical sciences will be well-prepared to begin graduate study in Plant Pathology. Coursework should include organic chemistry and biochemistry, statistics, botany, genetics, microbiology, and plant physiology. It is possible to take a limited number of such courses during the PhD degree program if they are lacking at the time of admission. Applicants may be admitted with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 (B) is required for admission and continuation of a graduate student.

Student Opportunities:

Students will gain analytical and practical skills in carrying out field-, laboratory- and greenhouse-based research that prepare them to be competitive for employment in academic, government and industry laboratories. Students will be provided other professional development opportunities such as resume writing, interview skills, written and oral communication skills, public speaking and attendance at professional conferences.

Contact Information: