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 (submission of GRE is optional) are all taken into account during evaluation. Foreign applicants may be required to submit TOEFL scores with an overall score of 80 with at least 20 on speaking and writing. Alternatively, students may submit IELTS scores with an overall band-width of 6.5, with no single band (score) below 6.0.
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 minimum of research (PBGG 9000)
- 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) *requirement is satisfied if taken at UGA in MS program
- Advanced Plant Breeding (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 8140)
- Plant Breeding Practicum (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 8000; students with credit in PBGG 6000 should take PBGG 8001)
- Plant Genetics (PBIO 8100 or PBGG 8890 or comparable) *Students most interested in genetics/genomics are advised to take PBIO 8100; students more interested in breeding are advised to take PBGG 8890
- Research Methods and Design for Crop Science (PBGG 8010) or equivalent
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
- 3 hours of dissertation writing (9300)
- 9 hours minimum of research (PBGG 9000)
- 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) *requirement is satisfied if taken at UGA in MS program
- Plant Breeding (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 6140)
- Plant Breeding Practicum (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 8000)
- Advanced Plant Breeding (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 8140)
- Plant Genetics (PBIO 8100 or PBGG 8890 or comparable) *Students most interested in genetics/genomics are advised to take PBIO 8100; students more interested in breeding are advised to take PBGG 8890
- Statistics (STAT 6315 or FANR 6750 or higher)
- Research Methods and Design for Crop Science (PBGG 8010) or equivalent
Recommended Elective Courses
Explore recommended courses and electives. Work with your Major Professor and Advisory Committee to create the best program of study.
