The objective of this program is to provide a high quality plant pathology graduate experience to equip students with the skills necessary for research, teaching and extension, or other agriculture-related positions that require the Doctor of Philosophy degree.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Admission
Regular admission may be granted to those students having a master’s degree or its equivalent, a 3.00 grade point average, and appropriate training in the biological and physical sciences and mathematics. Outstanding students without a master’s degree may be accepted.
Provisional admission may be granted to those students who do not meet the requirements for regular admission.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Plant Pathology
All doctoral students in plant pathology must meet the requirements specified below:
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| 1. |
Pass a preliminary examination. |
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| 2. |
Acquire experience in either (a) teaching, by serving as a teaching assistant in a course or, (b) extension, through the development and delivery of outreach programs or materials, as approved by the guidance committee. |
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| 3. |
Complete all of the following courses: |
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PLP |
805 |
Principles of Plant Diseases |
3 |
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PLP |
812 |
Epidemiology of Plant Diseases |
3 |
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PLP |
847 |
Advanced Mycology |
4 |
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or |
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PLB |
402 |
Biology of Fungi |
4 |
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PLP |
850 |
Physiological Plant Pathology |
3 |
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PLP |
881 |
Molecular and Biochemical Plant Pathology |
3 |
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PLP |
884 |
Prokaryotic Diseases of Plants |
3 |
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PLP |
885 |
Plant Diseases in the Field |
2 |
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PLP |
894 |
Seminar in Plant Pathology |
3 |
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PLP |
999 |
Doctoral Dissertation Research |
24 |
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Students who completed 2 credits of PLP 894 at MSU as a master's student must complete 3 additional credits of PLP 894. |
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Other courses and/or reading knowledge of a foreign language as specified by the guidance committee. |
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Complete oral and written comprehensive examinations. |
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Complete a written thesis and present the result publicly at a departmental seminar prior to graduation. |
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| 7. |
Pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis before the guidance committee which occurs immediately after the public seminar at which the thesis results are presented. |
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