Ph.D. in Plant Sciences

To learn about the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology program at MSU, please review the department graduate pages: http://plantsciences.montana.edu/studentinfo/grad/index.html. 

Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate academic accomplishment in one or more of three primary areas of the plant sciences: plant genetics, plant pathology, or plant biology (including ecology and evolution).
• Write successful grant proposals and original research manuscripts that advance a specific field of study within one or more of three primary areas of the plant sciences: plant genetics, plant pathology, or plant biology.
• Demonstrate skills and qualifications needed for employment in an academic, government or private sector position related to the plant sciences, which could include teaching experience and expertise in one or more of the three primary areas of plant genetics, plant pathology, or plant biology.

Plant Pathology Option

Many research projects are problem oriented and pertain to major plant pathological problems in the state. Currently active research projects involve soil-borne diseases of cereals, genetic basis for disease resistance in field crops, cereal leaf spots, virus diseases of cereals and potatoes, bacterial diseases and the biochemistry and molecular genetics of plant disease. Additional current research projects pertain to the biocontrol of plant diseases and the biocontrol of weeds using plant pathogens and/or their toxins.

Department research projects employ modern molecular biological and biotechnological techniques as well as traditional plant pathological techniques.

Plant Genetics Option

The Department offers advanced study leading to a Ph.D. degree in Plant Genetics with supporting certificates. Thesis research problems are related to the diverse research projects of the faculty.

The Department conducts research programs in: cereal quality; cropping systems/specialty crops; molecular and conventional approaches to plant improvement; and the interaction of introduced plants on native plant biodiversity. Faculty have expertise in molecular genetics and genomics, plant breeding, cereal quality, horticulture, biochemistry, plant physiology, agronomy, and plant ecology and evolution.