| |  | | Applied Plant Sciences | Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information—Director of Graduate Studies, University of Minnesota, 411 Borlaug Hall, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108 (612-625-6282; fax 612-625-1268; apsc@umn.edu).
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the GeneralInformation section of this catalog for Graduate School requirements that apply to all major fields.
Curriculum—Applied plant sciences is an interdisciplinary program for educating students to become professional scientists well grounded in the applied disciplines of agronomy/agroecology, horticulture, and plant breeding. Graduates of the program are able to provide innovative leadership and contribute to problem solving in their discipline in the public or private sector and within society at large. The program develops the quantitative and qualitative research skills necessary to conduct high quality research and scholarship. Students gain a broad familiarity with all the disciplines within the program and gain in-depth knowledge within their area of expertise. The program's graduate faculty is drawn primarily from the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics and the Department of Horticultural Science; but also from the Departments of Plant Pathology; Soil, Water, and Climate; and Landscape Architecture; and related departments. Students choose from among four specialization tracks—agronomy/agroecology, applied plant sciences, horticulture, or plant breeding/plant molecular genetics.
Agroecology/Agronomy Specialization—Students conduct research to increase their knowledge of cropping systems and weed science, including alternative approaches and management strategies. Emphasis is on improving production efficiency and profitability in an environmentally sound approach that benefits society. Mechanisms of crop physiology and ecology underlying plant responses to the environment are a particular emphasis of this track.
Applied Plant Sciences Specialization—Students create an integrated, individualized program combining a breadth of courses from several disciplines or areas including plant biology at the organismal level, genetics and plant breeding, cropping systems and communities, and courses relating to the production of agronomic and/or horticultural commodities.
Horticulture Specialization—Students conduct research related to fruits, vegetables, potatoes, flowers, ornamental trees and shrubs or turf; and on the physiology, production, environmental impact of cropping systems, and use of horticultural crops. Research areas include the effect of horticultural commodities on human health, hormonal, and stress physiology; flower development and flowering physiology; integrated pest management; post harvest physiology; and cropping system strategies. Students get a broad range of experiences in the field, greenhouse, and/or laboratory using genetic, molecular, biochemical, and ecological tools to answer research questions.
Plant Breeding/Plant Molecular Genetics Specialization—This track allows students to select from genetic research projects ranging from applied plant breeding projects emphasizing breeding procedures and methodologies to molecular genetic projects doing biotechnology, genetic engineering, and genomic research in agronomic and horticultural crops. These research projects give students the opportunity to integrate the latest developments in the laboratory with applied applications in the field to reach the overarching goal of developing new germplasm that will improve the sustainability of our food and fiber systems.
Prerequisites for Admission—Students entering the program should have a foundation in the physical and biological sciences, preferably with some emphasis in plant science. A minimum of 10 credits of math and physics, 12 credits of chemistry and biochemistry, and 15 credits of biological and/or agricultural sciences are recommended for admission. In addition, students should have completed a B.S. or B.A. degree in agriculture, biology, or other related life sciences. Students with a B.S. or B.A. degree outside these areas may be admitted with the requirement that they take the prerequisite courses noted above at the undergraduate level in addition to their graduate coursework.
Special Application Requirements—Applicants must submit scores from the General (Aptitude) Test of the GRE, three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with their scholarship and research potential, a complete set of official transcripts, and a clearly written statement of career interests, goals, and objectives. Students may apply at any time; however, submission of all application materials by December 1 is strongly encouraged to ensure priority consideration for fellowships and teaching and research assistantships awarded for the next academic year. Students can be admitted any term.
Key to test abbreviations (GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, MELAB).
 For an online application or for more information about Graduate School admissions, see the General Information section in this catalog, or visit the Graduate School Web site.
Courses—Refer to Agronomy and Plant Genetics (AGRO), Applied Plant Sciences (APSC), Horticultural Science (HORT) and Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAGR) in University Courses for courses pertaining to the program.
Use of 4xxx Courses—Inclusion of 4xxx courses on the degree program form is subject to adviser and director of graduate studies approval. |
M.S. Degree Requirements | | The M.S. is offered under Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (with project). Plan A requires a minimum of 20 course credits and 10 thesis credits; Plan B requires a minimum of 30 course credits. Students are encouraged to complete the courses in the common curriculum and the requirements for their specialization, and to present one graduate seminar. Additional course requirements are flexible and are determined in consultation with the student's adviser(s) and advisory committee.
Language Requirements—None.
Final Exam—The final exam is oral. | Ph.D. Degree Requirements | Ph.D. students are required to complete the courses in the common curriculum, the requirements for their respective specialization, and present one graduate seminar; 24 thesis credits are also required. Additional course requirements are flexible and are determined in consultation with the student's adviser(s) and advisory committee.
Language Requirements—None.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—A Ph.D. minor requires 12 credits from among 4xxx, 5xxx, and 8xxx courses in the areas of specialization, with only one 4xxx course allowed. | Faculty | | For latest graduate faculty listings, see <www.grad.umn.edu/faculty_rosters/faculty.html>. Key to membership categories (abbreviations after faculty names).
Regents Professor
Ronald L. Phillips, SM
Professor
James A. Anderson, SM
Roger L. Becker, SM
Rex N. Bernardo, SM
Jerry D. Cohen, SM
Beverly R. Durgan, SM
Nancy J. Ehlke, SM
John E. Erwin, SM
Vincent A. Fritz, SM
Susan M. Galatowitsch, SM
Gary M. Gardner, SM
Jeffrey L. Gunsolus, SM
Emily E. Hoover, SM
Robert J. Jones, SM
Nicholas R. Jordan, SM
James J. Luby, SM
Albert H. Markhart III, SM
Mary H. Meyer, SM
Thomas E. Michaels, SM
James H. Orf, SM
Paul M. Porter, SM
Carl J. Rosen, Soil, Water, and Climate, SM
Ruth G. Shaw, SM
Craig C. Sheaffer, SM
Steve R. Simmons, SM
Joseph R. Sowokinos, SM
Deon D. Stuthman, SM
Donald L. Wyse, SM
Nevin D. Young, Plant Pathology, SM
Adjunct Professor
John W. Gronwald, SM
Hans-Joachim G. Jung, SM
Howard W. Rines, SM
Carroll P. Vance, SM
Associate Professor
Neil O. Anderson, SM
Jeffrey H. Gillman, SM
Stan C. Hokanson, SM
Brian P. Horgan, SM
Gregg A. Johnson, SM
Gary J. Muehlbauer, SM
Paul Peterson, SM
Alan G. Smith, SM
Kevin P. Smith, SM
Christian A. Thill, SM
Cindy B. Tong, SM
Adjunct Associate Professor
Frank Forcella, SM
JoAnn F. Lamb, SM
Assistant Professor
Helene Murray, SM
Seth L. Naeve, SM
Eric Watkins, SM
Jochum J. Wiersma, SM
Adjunct Assistant Professor
David Francis Garvin, SM
Other
Raymie A. Porter, M2
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