Faculty
J. A. Browse, Chair ; J. K. Fellman, K. S. Gill, H. D. Grimes, L. A. Hadwiger, M. L. Kahn, C. Kang, N. R. Knowles, D. M. Kramer, B. M. Lange, N. G. Lewis, A. G. McCubbin, T. W. Okita, P. Okubara, B. W. Poovaiah, S. Roje, C. A. Ryan, C. Steber, L. P. Taylor, M. Tegeder, L. S. Thomashow, D. von Wettstein, J. J. Wyrick
Program
Graduate study leading to degrees of Master of Science in Molecular Plant Sciences and Doctor of Philosophy is offered as an interdepartmental curriculum by the Graduate Faculty from the Departments of Crop and Soil Sciences, Biological Sciences, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Plant Pathology, and Molecular Biosciences, and the Institute of Biological Chemistry. The objectives of the Program are to provide graduate students with a broad knowledge in molecular plant sciences and with research experience in a chosen area within this discipline. The program is especially strong in the molecular biology and biochemistry of plant-related processes, including cellular and subcellular physiology, photosynthesis and photorespiration, nitrogen fixation, phytochemistry, the physiology of vascular plants, stress metabolism, plant-pathogen interactions, hormonal interactions and growth regulation, crop production physiology, and physiological ecology and in related areas in agriculture and biology.
The program offers opportunities for students with backgrounds in chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, molecular plant sciences, molecular biology, botany, biology, and the agricultural sciences to pursue advanced training in molecular plant sciences, with independent study and original research in areas of the students’ own interest as the single most important component. The flexible and interdisciplinary nature of the program exposes students to plant scientists representing a wide range of research interests and provides students with a broad choice of specialized facilities available in the cooperating academic units.
Students entering the program must have completed their baccalaureate degree with training that includes a year of physics and of elementary biology or botany; at least one semester of both organic chemistry and biochemistry; one semester each of molecular plant sciences and genetics, and mathematics through calculus. A few undergraduate deficiencies may be remedied by taking the appropriate courses after enrollment in the graduate program on a provisional basis.
Degree requirements for both the master's and doctorate include courses in advanced molecular plant sciences, cell biology structure, and biochemistry. Additional courses are chosen by the student and the supervising committee of Graduate Faculty to fit the student’s interests, the programmatic goals of the faculty and the requirements of the Graduate School. There is no foreign language requirement. Course requirements are drawn from existing courses offered by cooperating departments and programs. In addition, a one-credit seminar is held weekly during each semester. Course work is generally completed, and qualifying examinations taken, during the fifth semester of enrollment.
The program will be administered by the academic unit of the student’s major advisor. The supervising committee for each student will have at least three (in the case of students seeking the master's) or four (in the case of students seeking the PhD) faculty members of whom at least two (including the advisor) are members of the program from separate academic units. The program offers opportunities for students with backgrounds in chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, molecular plant sciences, molecular biology, botany, biology, and the agricultural sciences to pursue advanced training in molecular plant sciences, with independent study and original research in areas of the student’s own interest as the single most important component. The flexible, interdisciplinary nature of the program exposes students to molecular plant scientists representing a wide range of research interests and provides students with a broad choice of specialized facilities available in the cooperating academic units.
Policies and procedures of the Graduate School apply to all admissions. Interested students can get more information from the Program in Molecular Plant Sciences or any of the participating academic units. An interest in the Program in Molecular Plant Sciences should be indicated and, if possible, the research area of interest identified. Admission to the program is based on GRE scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and an evaluation of background, experience, goals and objectives of the applicant. Applicants from foreign countries are advised to submit TOEFL scores to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency for graduate study.
Financial support for students in the program may be within the administering academic unit or through the program. Participating faculty may provide support through individual grants and contracts. Every effort will be made to inform applicants of these opportunities.
Molecular Plant Sciences
515 Seminar in Molecular Plant Sciences 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 4 hours. A cross-discipline seminar, including botany, crop and soil sciences, horticulture, plant pathology, and molecular plant sciences.
561 Biochemical Signaling in Plants, Animals and Microorganism 2 Same as MBioS 561.
570 Advanced Topics in Molecular Plant Sciences 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 3 hours. Oral presentation of a current research paper.
571 Research Proposal 2 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 4 hours. Written and oral presentation of an area of mo-lecular plant sciences.
587 Advanced Topics in Plant Biochemistry 2 Same as MbioS 571.
600 Special Projects or Independent Study Variable credit. S, F grading.
700 Master's Research, Dissertation and/or Examination Variable credit. S, F grading.
800 Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination Variable credit. S, F grading.