The Department of Plant Science’s vision is a future where growers are thriving despite rapid environmental changes caused by global climate change. Our graduate programs train tomorrow’s plant scientists and industry leaders to translate innovation from the laboratory to the field.
We build directly on the strong core of plant science expertise and infrastructure in our department to accelerate the adaptation of plant research discoveries into applied solutions used by agricultural producers.
Our department focuses on the following areas:
- Bioinformatics
- Conservation and evolutionary biology
- Crop and vegetable production
- Crop physiology
- Environmetrics
- Genomics
- Horticulture
- Molecular plant pathology
- Phenomics
- Plant biochemistry
- Plant breeding
- Plant-insect/pathogen interactions
- Tissue culture
- Weed biology and control
Requirements for the M.Sc. Degree
Students must complete a 45-credit course and research program established by their supervisor and advisory committee. The program will consist of:
- M.Sc. Letter of Understanding, to be completed with your supervisor and uploaded to myProgress as a “Milestone”, by the end of your first semester
- Two 3-credit graduate level courses (6 credits total)
- PLNT 664. M.Sc. Thesis 1.
- PLNT 665. M.Sc. Thesis 2.
- PLNT 666. M.Sc. Thesis 3.
- Presentation of thesis research project progress/results at “Research Horizons” (weekly graduate student and invitational seminar) PLNT 690. Research Horizons in Plant Science 1.
- Weekly attendance at invitational seminar “Research Horizons”
- Submission of research thesis
Additional courses may be required at the discretion of the student's supervisor and advisory committee. Plant Science research programs at the Master’s level normally require two years for completion.
Annual Research Progress Tracking report, to be completed with your supervisor(s) and advisory committee, and uploaded to myProgress as a “Milestone”, on a yearly basis.
Application deadlines
| Applicant | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian/permanent resident | May 31 | September 1 |
| International | January 15 | July 15 |
Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
Students will follow the program of study established by their supervisor and advisory committee. This program will consist of:
- Ph.D. Letter of Understanding, to be completed with your supervisor and uploaded to myProgress as a “Milestone”, by the end of your first semester
- Ph.D. comprehensive examination PLNT 701. Doctoral Comprehensive Examination., which must be taken within 15 months of first registering in the program
- Presentation of thesis research project progress/results at “Research Horizons” (weekly graduate student and invitational seminar) PLNT 691. Research Horizons in Plant Science 2.
- Weekly attendance at invitational seminar “Research Horizons”
- Submission and oral defense of research thesis.
Annual Research Progress Tracking report, to be completed with your supervisor(s) and advisory committee, and uploaded to myProgress as a “Milestone”, on a yearly basis.
Application deadlines
| Applicant | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian/permanent resident | May 31 | September 1 |
| International | January 15 | July 15 |
Graduate information session
Watch our most recent graduate information sessions to learn more about our department, faculty, research, and students.
Looking for a research supervisor?
Explore our faculty profiles to find your area of interest
Teaching Assistantships
Explore our list of department teaching assistant positions.
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