MS Plant Biology at University of California, Riverside

Programme overview

UC Riverside offers MS and PhD degrees in Plant Biology, with a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum spanning molecular and cellular biology, genetics and genomics, plant physiology, ecology and evolution. The program aims to train scientists capable of teaching and conducting research in plant biology.

Faculty: College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences | Department: Botany and Plant Sciences | Intake: Fall | Study mode: full-time | Location: Riverside, CA, United States

What you will study

Academic coursework combined with research training tailored to each student, studying plant processes from molecules to whole organisms to ecosystems.

Career pathways

Training prepares graduates for teaching and research in plant biology.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate Division (university-wide): bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or recognized international equivalent; minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA (some programs set a higher standard); transcripts, statement of purpose and letters of recommendation; English proficiency (TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic 7 with no component below 6) unless the prior degree was taught in English; GRE/GMAT only where the program requires it (many no longer do). Source: graduate.ucr.edu/admission-requirements.

UC Riverside operates a quarter system. Summer begins mid-June, Fall late September, Winter early January and Spring late March/early April. Most graduate programmes admit and begin in the Fall quarter only.

New domestic applicants: Fall January 5 (fellowship consideration) / June 1 (admission only), Winter November 1, Spring February 1, Summer May 1. New international applicants: Fall January 5 (fellowship consideration) / June 1 (admission only), Winter September 1, Spring December 1, Summer March 1. A few programmes have deadlines after June 1 and some have earlier programme deadlines. The Winter 2027 and Spring 2027 applications are open for select programmes only; the Summer/Fall 2027 application opened September 1, 2026, with rolling review for most programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.ucr.edu/apply/

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