Master's Program
M.S. in Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics
A Master’s in Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (PBGG) is research-based and prepares students for industry jobs, technical positions in an academic setting, or pursuit of a Ph.D. degree.
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
All Graduate School requirements for a Master's degree must fall within a six-year time limit beginning with the first registration for graduate courses listed on the program of study and ending with the final semester of the sixth year. The PBGG MS is thesis-based with research conducted under the supervision of a major advisor and approval of a research proposal by an advisory committee.
Degree Program Requirements
M.S. students must have 30 credit hours to graduate comprised of:
21 hours of coursework, 12 of which are graduate level courses only (not from split undergraduate/graduate courses, e.g., 4100/6100). On the Program of Study form, please use * to designate 6000/7000 courses open only to graduate students.
9 hours of research (6) and thesis writing (3)
The following courses are required for graduation:
- one credit of GradFIRST seminar (GRSC 7001) taken the first year
- one course of Research Seminar (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 8861)
- one course of Plant Breeding (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 6140)
- one course of Plant Breeding Practicum (PBGG/CRSS/HORT 6000)
- one Statistics course (STAT 6315 or FANR 6750 or higher)
- 3 credits of thesis writing (PBGG 7300)
M.S. students can only transfer 6 graduate course credits from another institution. No more than 6 hours of research (PBGG 7000) will be counted as hours on your program of study.
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:
- PBGG(CRSS) 6000. Plant Breeding Practicum
- PBGG(CRSS)(HORT) 6140. Plant Breeding
- PBGG(CRSS)(HORT) 8861. Plant Breeding Genetics and Genomics Research Seminar
Elective Plant Breeding Courses:
- PBGG(HORT) 8102. Breeding Ornamental Plants
- PBGG 8140. Advanced Plant Breeding.
- PBGG 8870. Translational Genomics
- PBGG 8871. Genome Analysis and Comparative Genomics
- PBGG 8872. QTL Mapping and Discovery
- PBGG 8873. Transgenic Breeding
- PBGG 8874. Genomic Selection
- PBGG 8875. Genome-wide Association in Plants
- PBGG 8900. Emerging Topics in Plant Breeding Genetics and Genomics
Genetics and Genomics Courses:
- GENE 4200/6200. Advanced Genetics
- HORT(ECOL)(PBGG) 8390. Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources
- PBGG 8890. Plant Cytogenetics : Behavior and Evolution of the Plant Genome
- PBIO 6500. Introduction to Gene Technology
- PBIO(GENE)(PATH)(BCMB)(MIBO) 8960 Genetics of Fungi
Plants and Their Environment Courses:
- ENTO(CRSS)(PATH) 6250-6250L. Pesticides and Transgenic Crops
- ENTO(CRSS)(PATH) 6740-6740L. Integrated Pest Management
- PATH 6280-6280L. Diagnosis and Management of Plant Diseases
- PATH 6910. Genetics of Host Plant Resistance to Disease
- PATH 8240. Plant Nematology
- PATH 8400. Host-Pathogen Interactions
Biometry and Bioinformatics Courses:
- BINF 6003. Introduction to Computer Programming for Biologists
- BINF(BCMB) 4005/6005. Essential Computing Skills for Biologists
- FANR 6750. Experimental Methods in Forestry and Natural Resources Research
- PBIO(BIOL) 6550. Bioinformatics Applications
- PBIO 6700. Computational Plant Science
- STAT 6230. Applied Regression Analysis
- STAT 6315. Statistical Methods for Researchers
- STAT 6360. Statistical Software Programming
Biochemical and Molecular Genetics Courses:
- BCMB(BTEC)(ENTO) 4200/6200. Biotechnology
- BCMB 6000. General Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- BCMB 6010 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I
- BCMB 6020 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II
Electives for professional development:
- CRSS 7990. Supervised Teaching Practicum in Crop and Soil Sciences
- EDHI 9010. Academic Programs in Higher Education
- GENE 8650. Responsible Science
- GRSC 8510. Professional Development for Integrated Plant Sciences (IPS) Students
- GRSC 8550. Responsible Conduct of Research
- PBGG(CRSS)(HORT) 8860. PBGG Communication Seminar
- PBGG 9980. Graduate Internship in Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics
- PBGG 9990. Supervised Teaching Practicum in Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics
- PBIO 8200. Grant Writing with a Focus on Plants and Microbes
- PBIO 8820. Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology Seminar (critical analysis of literature)
- PBIO 8930. Science Writing for General Audiences
- ALDR 7500E. Leading Team and Organizational Development
