30 hours

Application materials should be submitted through the UGA Graduate School webpage (grad.uga.edu/admissions) and include: CV Unofficial transcript Statement of Purpose (outlining career goals and research interests; at the end of the statement, please list the names of three faculty members who share your interests and could serve as your major advisor – note that only students endorsed by a faculty member can be admitted). 3 Letters of recommendation International students: If your primary language is not English, please submit official documents conforming to UGA Graduate School regulations as proof of English proficiency. Undergraduate coursework and training should demonstrate preparation for advanced study in plant or fungal biology. Applications will be reviewed in December for the following Fall semester. Please contact the Graduate Program Administrator about the possibility of joining the program in the Spring or Summer.

Choose a maximum of 6 credit hour(s) from the following:

12 hours must be in courses only open to graduate students. PBIO 8830, GRSC 7770, LLED 7768, and LLED 7769 do not count toward the minimum of 30 hours.

Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.

Students may pursue research opportunities outside of Athens when appropriate and in consultation with their major advisor and committees.

Students may pursue internship opportunities when those internships will facilitate their professional development and career aspirations and in consultation with their major advisor and committees.

Students are encouraged to write and submit grant proposals to national or state agencies as well as scientific societies in order to help fund their research and to develop professional writing skills. Grant writing classes are offered to foster this aim. In addition, the department maintains an active small-grants program that is open to all of its graduate students. Students are encouraged to present their research at conferences, professional meetings, and symposia. Both the Plant Biology department and the Graduate School make funds available to defray travel expenses for students who present posters or talks. Students are encouraged to publish their research findings in peer-reviewed journals.

The Plant Biology Graduate Student Association (PBGSA) represents graduate students within the department and is actively involved in governance.

The Plant Biology department offers two graduate programs: MS Plant Biology PhD Plant Biology