BS Plant Pathology at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

Plant pathology, the study of plant disease, is at the forefront of challenges in food security and the environment. Plant pathologists specialize in plant health, just like doctors specialize in human health and veterinarians in animal care.

Faculty: Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbus, OH, United States

What you will study

The plant pathology curriculum includes a solid background in the sciences augmented by in-depth courses, such as: - Plant pathology - Plant science - Biology - Microbiology - And more Required courses - Biology - Chemistry - Microbiology - Genetics - Soil science Electives - Plant pathology - Biochemistry - Chemistry - Soil science - Entomology - Horticulture - Crop science - Microbiology - Plant biology Other requirements Students must also complete a minor (12–15 credit hours). Students may select from over 100 minors at Ohio State.

Career pathways

Plant health experts work to address critical needs in areas like: - Food production - Food safety - Ecosystem and landscape management - Biobased technologies Many graduates go on to work in: - Private sector: research and diagnostic laboratories - Universities: research and diagnostic laboratories - Government agencies: state and federal agriculture departments or regulatory agencies - Ohio.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to the university (and the Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences college where applicable) applies; no separate programme-specific requirement published. Admitted students who indicate their major as plant pathology on their application directly enroll in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Each plant pathology student is assigned a faculty advisor who helps the student develop a course plan tailored to the student’s interests and provides mentorship and guidance throughout the program.

Domestic applicants: USD 12,921 a year (2026-27). Columbus campus on-campus Instructional Fee (tuition) for students beginning Autumn 2026: $6,460.50 per semester at 12-18 credit hours, shown as two semesters (Autumn and Spring). The Ohio State Tuition Guarantee fixes this rate for four years for Ohio re Source

Entry terms for first-year applicants to the Columbus campus: Autumn 2027 and Spring 2027 (Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026). Summer first-year applications are not accepted.

Transfer applicants can start in Spring, Summer or Autumn 2027.

First-year, Columbus campus, Autumn 2027: early action (non-binding) deadline November 1, 2026; regular decision deadline January 15, 2027; financial aid priority date February 1; acceptance fee deadline May 1, 2027. Early action decisions: December 11 (Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants) and January 22 (non-Ohio residents and international applicants); regular decision decisions March 5.

First-year applicants apply with the Common Application. ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year Columbus applicants (superscored; sent directly by the testing agency); applicants out of high school two or more years are not required to submit scores. The essay is not required.

Transfer applicants (Columbus campus): Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027; Summer 2027 deadline May 15, 2027. Regional campuses: December 1, 2026, April 15, 2027 and July 15, 2027 respectively.

International transfer applicants: Spring 2027 deadline October 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply

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