Department of Plant Pathology - Graduate Education Program

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN PLANT PATHOLOGY

Programs of Study | Research Areas | Financial Support | To Apply

PROGRAMS OF STUDY	The Department of Plant Pathology offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Our program provides education and research experience in the study of plant disease to prepare qualified graduates for college teaching and research positions as well as careers in industry and government.
Doctoral (Ph.D.)	The Doctoral degree usually requires three years of study and research beyond the Master's degree. Advancement to doctoral candidacy is decided on the basis of previous academic record, performance in graduate courses, and a candidacy examination. An advisory committee appointed by the program chair determines the specific course requirements, approves the research plan, and administers the comprehensive examination and thesis defense.
Master of Science (M.S.)	The Master of Science student is exposed to the breadth of the Plant Pathology discipline through coursework and a research thesis, usually completed in two years. A Master's graduate from Penn State can pursue a professional career in Plant Pathology or begin Ph.D. studies. Some exercise the option to continue onto their doctoral degree.
AREAS OF RESEARCH AVAILABLE FOR GRADUATE STUDY	Our department brings together a strong group of faculty representing diverse interests in basic and applied plant pathology, including biotechnology, mycology, nematology, phytobacteriology, and virology. Areas of research available for graduate study include: Air Pollution Alternative Management Strategies Biological Control of Diseases Diseases of Fruits, Vegetables, Field Crops, Turfgrass, and Ornamentals Epidemiology Forest Pathology Fungal Genetics Host-Parasite Interactions Molecular Fungal Taxonomy Mushroom Culture and Pathology Mycotoxicology Non-indigenous Diseases (in cooperation with USDA-Fort Detrick) Plant Responses to Environmental Stress Root-Pathogen Interactions Virus-Vector Relationships Penn State's Institutes of Energy and the Environment and The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences provide opportunities for interdisciplinary research. Intercollege programs in plant physiology, ecology, and genetics, as well as federally funded training programs directly related to plant pathology, also facilitate collaborative study.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT	Applicants to the graduate program in plant pathology may compete for graduate research assistantships awarded by the department. A limited number of fellowships, assistantships, enhancements, and traineeships through various competitive research grants are available for outstanding applicants.
TO APPLY Be sure to also visit these related sites: Graduate School Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin

Penn State Department of Plant Pathology
211 Buckhout Lab, University Park, PA 16802-4507
Phone: 814-865-6761 Fax: 814-863-7217
E-Mail requests for information about the department and its extension programs to ppath@psu.edu.

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Last modified Tuesday, November 17, 2009