Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics, MS
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
| 2025-03-01 | - |
| 2025-06-01 | - |
| 2026-09-01 | - |
| 2026-03-01 | - |
| 2026-06-01 | - |
| 2027-09-01 | - |
| 2027-03-01 | - |
| 2027-06-01 | - |
Program Overview
Introduction to the Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics Program
The Master of Science in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics at the University of WisconsinMadison offers a broad exposure to various disciplines involved in plant improvement. This interdisciplinary program includes faculty participants from biochemistry, botany, entomology, genetics, plant and agroecosystem sciences, plant pathology, and statistics.
Research Areas
Research areas in the program include:
- Biochemical and molecular genetics
- Bioinformatics
- Biometry
- Cytogenetics and cytology
- Genecology
- Genetics
- Plant breeding
- Quantitative genetics
Program Overview
The Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics Program has been designated a UW System Center of Excellence. Approximately 5060 students are majoring in the program, coming from throughout the United States and worldwide. Faculty members have included recipients of prestigious awards, such as members of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Council of Plant Breeders "Genetic and Plant Breeding Award." The University of Wisconsin-Madison leads the nation in the diversity of plant breeding programs and the number of graduate students trained. Graduates are found in responsible positions with academic institutions, research institutions, and private companies involved in molecular to cultivar development work.
Admissions
Admission Requirements
- Fall Deadline: December 1
- Spring Deadline: September 1
- Summer Deadline: December 1
- GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required
- English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School's policy
- Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): Not applicable
- Letters of Recommendation Required: 3
Satisfactory Preparation
Satisfactory preparation for graduate study in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics includes undergraduate coursework in:
- Mathematics through differential and integral calculus
- General chemistry and organic chemistry
- Physics
- A comprehensive biology sequence that covers both plant and animal biology and includes labs
Some of this preparatory coursework may be completed during the first year of graduate study. Normally, applicants will have had undergraduate training in the biological or agricultural sciences. All applicants must fulfill the minimum entrance requirements of the Graduate School.
Application Checklist
A complete application should include:
- Graduate School Application
- Supplementary Application
- Application Fee
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcripts
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Proof of English Proficiency (for applicants whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English)
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School.
Program Resources
Financial support may be available through research assistantships (RAs) or fellowships. Fellowships are granted to students with very outstanding academic records. Research assistantships are awarded by individual professors through funds available to their research programs.
Requirements
Curricular Requirements
- Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
- Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 16 credits
- Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework
- Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required
- Other Grade Requirements: Students must earn a B or above in all core curriculum coursework
- Assessments and Examinations: A formal MS thesis is required
- Language Requirements: No language requirements
Required Courses
The specific program of study for a masters degree is developed by the student and their major professor. Considerable flexibility in the selection of courses is permitted to meet the needs and interests of the candidate.
- Coursework: Chosen in consultation with advisor, students must complete at least 12 credits of coursework, including 9 credits of core curriculum coursework.
- Core Curriculum: Students must complete at least 9 credits from the core curriculum, including 2 credits in Section A and 2 credits in either Section B or Section C.
- Section A. Plant Breeding (minimum 2 credits)
- PLANTSCI 501: Principles of Plant Breeding
- PLANTSCI 502: Techniques of Plant Breeding 1
- PLANTSCI 812: Selection Theory for Quantitative Traits in Plants
- Section B. Genetics (minimum 2 credits from section B or C)
- PL PATH 517: Plant Disease Resistance
- PLANTSCI 550: Molecular Approaches for Crop Improvement
- PLANTSCI/GENETICS 615: Genetic Mapping
- GENETICS/BIOCHEM 631: Plant Genetics and Development
- GENETICS/BIOCHEM/BOTANY 840: Regulatory Mechanisms in Plant Development
- Section C. Quantitative Genetics and Biometry (minimum 2 credits from section B or C)
- F&W ECOL/STAT 572: Statistical Methods for Bioscience II
- PLANTSCI 811: Biometrical Procedures in Plant Breeding
- PLANTSCI 771 & PLANTSCI 772: Experimental Design and Analysis and Applications in ANOVA and Mixed Models
- AN SCI 865: Design and Analysis of Biological Studies
- Section D. Additional Courses
- PL PATH/BOTANY/ENTOM 505: Plant-Microbe Interactions: Molecular and Ecological Aspects
- BIOCHEM/BOTANY 621: Plant Biochemistry
- GENETICS 633: Population Genetics
- BOTANY 500: Plant Physiology
- Seminar: Students must complete 2 credits of seminar by taking the following course twice.
- PLANTSCI 957: Seminar in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
- Additional Coursework: Students must complete 16 credits of additional coursework to satisfy the 30-credit minimum requirement.
- Research: Research (990) credits may be applied towards degree requirements.
Policies
Prior Coursework
Refer to the Graduate School's policy on transfer credits for prior coursework.
Probation
Refer to the Graduate School's policy on probation.
Advisor / Committee
Refer to the Graduate School's policies on advisor and committees.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credit maximum. Refer to the Graduate School's policy on maximum credit loads and overload requests.
Time Limits
Refer to the Graduate School's policy on time limits.
Grievances and Appeals
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has a grievance policy in place for students who feel unfairly treated by a member of the CALS faculty or staff.
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
The Graduate School offers professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch careers.
Program Resources
Close working relationships between plant breeding and plant genetics students and faculty with companies, commodity groups, and NGOs allow for exposure to various work environments and potential employers. Opportunities exist for students to complete short-term internships with companies depending on research interests and progress toward graduate degrees.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Articulate research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to knowledge within the field of plant breeding and plant genetics.
- Formulate ideas, concepts, designs, and/or techniques beyond the current boundaries of knowledge within the field of plant breeding and plant genetics.
- Create research that makes a substantive contribution to the field of plant breeding and plant genetics.
- Communicate complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner.
- Recognize and apply principles of ethical and professional conduct.