General Preparation
Students entering the PhD program are expected to have a strong background in the biological sciences. A Bachelor's Degree (B.S. or B.A.) is a minimum academic requirement for admission into the PhD program, but the degree does not necessarily have to be in Biology.
A strong background in the biological sciences and related disciplines is required, but students with a degree is some other discipline may, through enrollment in additional courses, obtain sufficient exposure to the subject matter necessary to support advanced study.
Minimal preparation for graduate work in plant pathology should include:
1) an introductory course in biology (typically one year),
2) introductory chemistry (typically one year), organic chemistry (typically one year), biochemistry (typically one term - either semester or quarter), introductory statistics (typically one term), introductory calculas (minimum of one term). Introductory physics is recommend but not required.
Upper division courses should cover a range of topics in the biological sciences including: ecology, genetics, plant physiology, cell biology, microbiology and molecular biology.
Many other courses may provide useful background, and their relative importance depends on the intended area of specialization within plant pathology.
In any case, some deficiencies can be redressed after enrolling in graduate school, but this must be limited to one or two courses to prevent unude delay in progress toward a graduate degree.
A Master's Degree (M.S.) is not required for admission to the PhD program. Students may seek admission directly into the PhD program or pursue an M.S. first and then apply for the PhD program.
One Shields Avenue - 354 Hutchison Hall - Davis, California 95616
Telephone: (530) 752-0300 - FAX: (530) 752-5674
Email the Plant Pathology Office