Program Overview

Introduction to the Plant Science PhD Program

The Plant Science PhD program at the University of Manitoba educates students in basic plant sciences and applied crop production. Research in the department is focused on developing superior cultivars and new production systems suited to the changing needs of producers and the agri-food industry.

Program Details

The Plant Science PhD program is a thesis-based program consisting of coursework and a substantial research component.

• Expected duration: 3 to 4 years
• Tuition and fees: Tuition fees are charged for terms one and two and terms four and five. A continuing fee is paid for term three, term six, and each subsequent term.

Coursework

Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of coursework at the 7000 level.

• All students are required to take PLNT 7420: Advanced Plant Science Seminar
• Sample course offerings:
  • PLNT 7120: Special Problems in Plant Science
  • PLNT 7162: Plant Genomics
  • PLNT 7164: Genetic Mapping in Plants
  • PLNT 7170: Advanced Plant Breeding
  • PLNT 7340: Advanced Weed Science
  • PLNT 7480: Epidemiology of Plant Disease
  • PLNT 7610: Topics in Plant Physiology
  • PLNT 7612: Advanced Plant Physiology
  • PLNT 7620: Topics in Agronomy
  • PLNT 7630: Topics in Plant Pathology
  • PLNT 7660: Advanced Crop Production
  • PLNT 7670: Quantitative Genetics and Plant Breeding
  • PLNT 7690: Bioinformatics

Thesis

Students must demonstrate competence in completing thesis research and pass an oral examination relating to their thesis subject.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (Plant Science) program, applicants must have:

• A Master of Science degree
• Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Admission decisions are based on the qualifications of the applicant as well as the ability of the Plant Science (PhD) program and the University of Manitoba to serve the applicant's intended program of study and area of specialization.

Research Areas

The Department of Plant Science is a leader in agricultural research in Canada, having created the first canola variety and the first hybrid rapeseed variety. Some of the fields of research include:

• Agronomy and plant protection
• Plant breeding and genetics
• Sustainable cropping systems
• Plant physiology-biochemistry
• Plant biotechnology, genomics, and bioinformatics

Faculty and Degree

• Faculty: Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
• Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Application Deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

• Applications open up to 16 months prior to the start term.
• Canadian and US applicants:
  • Fall (September): June 1
  • Winter (January): October 1
  • Summer (May): February 1
• International applicants:
  • Fall (September): January 15
  • Winter (January): March 30
  • Summer (May): September 1

About the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences

The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences is continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of our world. The mission is to develop people, ideas, knowledge, and practices to support the provision of food, bio-resources, and services that are healthy and sustainable for society, the environment, and the agri-food sector.