COURSE CURRICULUM

The Plant Science (MSc) program requires students to complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of coursework, including the mandatory course PLNT 7250: Plant Science Seminar, which provides a platform for discussing current research and developments in the field. Alongside coursework, students must demonstrate competence in conducting original thesis research and successfully pass an oral examination related to their thesis topic. The program offers a broad range of specialized courses that support both foundational knowledge and advanced study in plant sciences. Sample courses include PLNT 7120: Special Problems in Plant Science, PLNT 7162: Plant Genomics, and PLNT 7164: Genetic Mapping in Plants, which focus on the genetic and molecular aspects of plant biology. Courses like PLNT 7170: Advanced Plant Breeding, PLNT 7340: Advanced Weed Science, and PLNT 7660: Advanced Crop Production emphasize applied crop production and management techniques. Additional offerings such as PLNT 7480: Epidemiology of Plant Disease and PLNT 7630: Topics in Plant Pathology address plant health and disease. Courses in physiology and agronomy, such as PLNT 7610: Topics in Plant Physiology, PLNT 7620: Topics in Agronomy, and PLNT 7670: Quantitative Genetics and Plant Breeding, deepen students’ understanding of plant function and breeding strategies. PLNT 7690: Bioinformatics integrates computational tools essential for modern plant science research. This coursework, combined with rigorous thesis research, prepares graduates for careers in agriculture, research, and the agri-food industry.