Applied Plant Sciences
We study and improve plants to meet human needs, and we offer M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in the following specializations:
- Agronomy/Agroecology
- Horticulture
- Plant Breeding/Molecular Genetics
- Applied Plant Sciences (General track)
Agronomy/Agroecology
Students focus on the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of crop production. Research areas include cropping systems, cover crops, sustainable agriculture, management strategies, crop physiology, plant nutrition, weed science, and crop response to environments.
Horticulture
Research involves different horticultural crops (fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and turf) and disciplines (physiology, production, cropping systems, integrated pest management, and health benefits of plants). Students use genetic, molecular, biochemical, and ecological tools in horticulture.
Plant Breeding/ Molecular Genetics
Students learn to integrate genomics, field studies, data science, and the latest breeding tools to develop new germplasm for food, feed, fuel, fiber, and aesthetics.
Applied Plant Sciences (General track)
Students create an individualized program combining a breadth of courses from several disciplines including plant biology, genetics and plant breeding, cropping systems and plant communities, and production and ecology of agronomic or horticultural species.
