M.S. & Ph.D. in
Plant Pathology

Ensuring a safer, healthier place to live

Auburn College of Agriculture’s Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology offers three graduate degrees in plant pathology: the Master of Agriculture, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Each of these graduate programs provides advanced studies and training in the recognition and management of diseases of plants and in pathogen biology. 

These graduate programs emphasize basic and applied aspects of the science of plant pathology preparing students for careers in teaching, research and extension with a variety of academic, governmental, state, private and industrial opportunities. 

Master’s & Doctoral Programs

The information below is a brief description of Master and Doctoral Programs in Plant Pathology offered by our department.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.)

The purpose of the Ph.D. program in plant pathology is to produce graduates who are fundamentally trained in the scientific principles and general knowledge of plant pathology and related sciences, and who are able to employ this knowledge at the advanced level of study and apply these principles to solve problems involving plant diseases and associated pathogens. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Graduates with a Ph.D. in plant pathology from Auburn University will: 

  • Identify causal agents of plant diseases and recognize symptoms. 
  • Be able to explain plant pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, virus and nematodes, and describe their mode of interactions with the ecosystem. 
  • Identify and apply effective integrated management practices towards plant diseases. 
  • Analyze and evaluate disease assessment, pathogen spread and yield losses. 
  • Develop research objectives, hypothesis and experimental methods, as well as execute and interpret the results. 
  • Explain and write scientific topics and research findings in a professional and efficacious manner.    

CURRICULUM & REQUIREMENTS

The Ph.D. program in plant pathology requires 60 graduate-level credit hours of coursework. Of the 60 semester hours, 30 must be graded graduate courses (6000 and above) while registered in the Ph.D. program. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE COURSE CURRICULUM 

Master of Science (M.S.)

The M.S. program in plant pathology is available to qualified individuals who wish to pursue a master’s level program that requires a thesis. Importance is placed on both classroom and research training.  

The educational goals and objectives of the M.S. program are to produce graduates who are fundamentally trained in the scientific principles and general knowledge of plant pathology and related sciences and who are able to apply these principles to successfully solve problems and employ this knowledge at an advanced level of study. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Graduates with a Master of Science in plant pathology from Auburn University will: 

  • Identify causal agents of plant diseases and recognize symptoms. 
  • Be able to explain plant pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes, and describe their mode of interactions with the ecosystem. 
  • Identify and apply effective integrated management practices towards plant diseases. 
  • Develop research objectives, hypothesis and experimental methods, as well as execute and interpret the results. 
  • Explain and write scientific topics and research findings in a professional and efficacious manner.    
  • Be able to prepare and teach the General Plant Pathology laboratory to undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture. 

CURRICULUM & REQUIREMENTS

The M.S. requires a minimum of 30 semester hours. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE COURSE CURRICULUM 

Master of Agriculture (M.Ag.)

The Master of Agriculture (M.Ag.) program in plant pathology is available to qualified applicants who wish to pursue a master’s level program that does not require a thesis. 

Like the M.S. program, the educational goals and objectives of this program are to produce graduates who are fundamentally trained in the scientific principles and general knowledge of plant pathology and related sciences. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Graduates with a Master of Agriculture in plant pathology from Auburn University will: 

  • Identify causal agents of plant diseases and recognize symptoms. 
  • Be able to explain plant pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes, and describe their mode of interactions with the ecosystem. 
  • Identify and apply effective integrated management practices towards plant diseases. 
  • Develop research objectives, hypothesis and experimental methods, as well as execute and interpret the results. 
  • Explain and write scientific topics and research findings in a professional and efficacious manner.    
  • Be able to prepare and teach the General Plant Pathology laboratory to undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture. 

CURRICULUM & REQUIREMENTS

The M.Ag. requires a minimum of 32 semester hours, 21 of which must be in plant pathology. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE COURSE CURRICULUM 

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Contact

Jeffrey Coleman
Associate Professor
209 Life Sciences Bldg
Auburn Univ, AL 36849