Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Pathology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Pathology is a degree program that focuses on the biology and management of plant diseases caused by plant pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. This program provides the fundamental basis to investigate and develop prevention and management strategies, using applied/field and laboratory/molecular techniques to study a multitude of important plant diseases.

Program Details

Department and College

The program is offered by the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, which is part of the Ferguson College of Agriculture.

Available At

The program is available at the OSU Stillwater Campus.

Degree

The degree offered is a Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Pathology.

Specialty Area(s)

The specialty area for this program is Plant Pathology Courses.

Curriculum

The degree plan for a PhD in plant pathology requires 60 total credit hours of coursework after a thesis-based MS degree. A program of study can be adapted to an individual's needs within departmental and Graduate College guidelines. Instruction may include coursework in the following areas and additional courses within and outside the department:

• PLP 5343 Principles of Plant Pathology
• PLP 5724 Physiology of Host-Pathogen Interactions
• PLP 5524 Integrated Management of Insect Pests and Pathogens
• PLP 5104 Mycology
• PLP 5003 Plant Nematology
• PLP 5014 Plant Virology
• PLP 5304 Phytobacteriology
• PLP 5613 Host Plant Resistance
• PLP 6303 Soilborne Diseases of Plants
• PLP 5870 Scientific Presentations
• PLP 5992 Career Skills and Professionalism for Scientists

Research and Faculty

The OSU Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology is housed in the Noble Research Center and the Henry Bellmon Research Center, providing excellent resources for teaching, research, and Extension. Core facilities are available for molecular, biochemical, genomic, and proteomic studies. The department's faculty includes scientists who have received national and international recognition for their research in many diverse areas.

Admissions

Admission requirements for the OSU Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology include:

• Three letters of recommendation from faculty or professionals familiar with the applicant's academic and professional background.
• A personal letter of intent from the student outlining research interests and professional goals.
• A résumé or CV for both MS and PhD applicants.
• For the PhD program, a master's degree with a research thesis is required.
• An official copy of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score.

Prerequisite Coursework

The following courses are strongly recommended prior to acceptance into the plant pathology doctoral degree program:

1. Introductory Plant Pathology (such as PLP 3343) or PLP 5343
2. Chemistry with lab (three semesters, including at least one semester of Organic Chemistry)
3. Introductory Biological Science with lab (e.g., Principles of Biology, Plant Biology, Microbiology, Zoology)
4. Physiology with lab
5. Plant Anatomy OR Taxonomy course
6. Genetics
7. Biochemistry
8. Ecology
9. Statistics and/or Experimental Design

Cost and Assistance

For students pursuing their Ph.D. in the OSU Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, there are opportunities to perform research duties as a Graduate Research Assistant under the direction of a major advisor for at least twenty hours per week. These required positions are opportunities for students to hold a semi-professional position within the department and contribute to the professional development of graduate students.