2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Plant Science (M.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus


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Program Coordinator/Contact

David Wright, Department Head
Brent Turnipseed, Assistant Department Head
Sunish Sehgal, Associate Professor/Graduate Coordinator
Department of Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Science
Raven Precision Agriculture Center 140
605-688-4600

Program Information

The Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Science Department is an integrated department that includes programs in crop production, entomology, horticulture, plant biotechnology, plant breeding, plant pathology, precision farming, soils, water management, and weed science. The primary goals of the department are to conduct research in these areas, to transmit the results to the public, and to help prepare students for an occupation in these disciplines and to become productive members of a community. Graduate training includes classroom instruction, teaching experience, seminars designed to refine oral and written skills, and meaningful experience in laboratory and field research techniques. Departmental diversity encourages collaborations among disciplines and research programs that support this graduate training.

Course Delivery Format

The program coursework is available on campus, in classroom and laboratory settings, as well as field-based settings.

Facilities and Services

The department is housed in seven buildings across campus. These buildings provide research and teaching laboratories, greenhouses, seed house facilities and access to the functional genomics core facility. The on and off-campus facilities also include the SDSU Seed Testing Laboratory, SDSU Plant Diagnostics Clinic, Seed Certification, and Foundation Seed Stocks Division, which operates as services for the public. In addition, the department conducts research at five research farms near campus and five research stations across the state. The Field Specialists are housed in seven regional extension offices across the state.

Student Support and Engagement Opportunities

Students are encouraged to join and participate in the Plant Science Graduate Student Association (PSGSA) which conducts professional and social events on a regular basis.  In addition, students are encouraged to participate and mentor undergraduate students in the Arboriculture Club, Agronomy and Conservation Club, or Horticulture and Urban Agriculture Club which offers opportunities for fellowship, leadership, and career planning for undergraduate students.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees


Master of Science Option A - Thesis 30 Credit Hours
  Option B - Research/Design Paper 32 Credit Hours

Core Requirements


M.S. students required to have 2 credits of Graduate Seminar, one oral and one in poster format. All students are required to have teaching experience.

Select one of the following options


Option A - Thesis


Option B - Research/Design Paper


Total Required Credits: 30 (Option A), 32 (Option B)


Additional Admission Requirements


GRE: Recommended, but not required
TOEFL: Minimum requirement of 83 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: Minimum requirement of 8.5
IELTS: Minimum total score of 6.5
Duolingo: 110

Students must be accepted by an advisor before admission is granted.

General Requirements


Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework.

For additional information refer to the Master’s Degree Requirements .

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