University of Georgia
UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics
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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 (submission of GRE is optional) are all taken into account during evaluation. Foreign applicants may be required to submit TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) scores with a minimum score of 80. 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

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:

Elective Plant Breeding/Genomics Courses:

Genetics and Genomics Courses:

Plants and Their Environment Courses:

Biometry and Bioinformatics Courses:

Biochemical and Molecular Genetics Courses:

Electives for professional development:


Graduate Student Handbook