University of Georgia
UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics
Menu
Close
Search

Doctoral Program

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding Genetics and Genomics

A Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (PBGG) is research-based and prepares students for industry jobs and faculty or research associate positions in academia.

Application and admission is through the Graduate School upon review of applications by the PBGG Graduate Committee and acceptance into the research program of one of our Graduate Faculty.

Transcripts, letters of reference, statement of purpose and standardized test scores are all taken into account during evaluation. While a GRE score of 286 is considered the minimum, 309 is the average GRE for PhD students admitted in the last several years (submission of GRE is optional). Foreign applicants may be required to submit TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) scores with a minimum score of 80.


Program of Study

Students may enter the PBGG Ph.D. program with or without a Master’s degree, although degree program requirements are different (see below). An additional track to admission is through the Integrated Plant Sciences portal.  Dissertation research is conducted under the supervision of a major advisor and according to a research proposal approved by a five-member advisory committee. Ph.D. students are required to pass written and oral comprehensive exams prior to admission to candidacy for the Doctoral degree.


Degree Program Requirements


Ph.D. (M.S. already earned)

Students must have 30 credit hours to graduate, comprised of:

  • 16 hours of coursework (a minimum of 16 hours of 8000-9000 level credits) excluding 9000/9005/9300
  • 3 hours of dissertation writing (9300)
  • 6 hours of research (PBGG 9000) and the remainder in research or relevant lower level courses
  • The following courses are required for graduation:
    • one credit of GradFIRST seminar (GRSC 7001) taken the first year
    • two credits of Graduate Seminar (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 8860 & PBGG/CRSS/HORT 8861)
    • Advanced Plant Breeding (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 8140)
    • Plant Breeding Practicum (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 6000)
    • Plant Genetics (PBIO 8100 or PBGG 8890 or comparable)
    • Statistics (PBGG 8010, PBIO(PATH) 8250 or STAT 8200 or comparable)

Ph.D. students can only transfer 9 graduate course credits from another institution after beginning at UGA.


Straight Ph.D. (no M.S. required)

Students must have 36 credit hours to graduate, comprised of:

  • 27 hours of coursework (a minimum of 16 hours of 8000-9000 level credits), and including MS/PhD requirements
  • 9 hours (minimum) of research (6h) and writing (3h)
  • The following courses are required for graduation:
    • two credits of Graduate Seminar (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 8860 & PBGG/CRSS/HORT 8861)
    • Plant Breeding (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 6140)
    • Plant Breeding Practicum (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 6000)
    • Advanced Plant Breeding (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 8140)
    • Plant Genetics (PBIO 8100 or PBGG 8890 or comparable)
    • Statistics (STAT 6315 or FANR 6750 or higher)
    • Statistics (PBGG 8010, PBIO(PATH) 8250 or STAT 8200 or comparable)

Core Courses

A list of our core courses are below along with suggested electives. Students will work with their Major Professor and Advisory Committee to determine the best program of study.

Required Plant Breeding Courses:

Elective Plant Breeding Courses:

Genetics and Cytogenetics Courses:

Plants and Their Environment Courses:

Biometry and Bioinformatics Courses:

Biochemical and Molecular Genetics Courses:

Electives for professional development:


NEW:

Learn about admissions through the Integrated Plant Sciences program

Graduate Student Handbook