PhD Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences (Plant Sciences) at University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Programme overview

The PhD in Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences with a Plant Sciences concentration (Crop Sciences, Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Plant Molecular Genetics or Weed Science) is offered under a multi-departmental programme. Students may specialize in plant biotechnology, molecular biology, breeding, genetics, physiology, ecology, culture and management, applied to model plant systems, public horticulture, turfgrass, weeds, woody ornamentals and fruit, vegetable, cereal, grain or fiber crops.

Faculty: Herbert College of Agriculture | Department: Department of Plant Sciences | Duration: Minimum 72 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor's; 48 beyond the master's | Study mode: full-time | Location: Knoxville, TN, United States

What you will study

Students complete 24 hours of PLSC 600 Doctoral Research and Dissertation, project-based graded electives chosen with the advisory committee from PLSC and related disciplines, at least 6 hours of 600-level courses at UT, and PLSC 504 Seminar (2 hours). Research ethics training is required. Students present a research proposal, defend a written dissertation proposal, pass written and oral comprehensive examinations and defend a dissertation.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants normally have completed a master's degree with thesis before beginning the doctoral programme. The application requires an online form with non-refundable fee, official transcripts, GRE general scores and TOEFL or IELTS where applicable, an updated resume or CV, a short statement of professional goals, a professional biosketch self-assessment and three evaluators for letters of reference. Final admission depends on a graduate research faculty member agreeing to serve as major professor.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

International graduate applicants on F and J visas: Fall online submission April 15 and file completion May 15; Spring June 15 and October 1; Summer October 15 and February 15. Departmental deadlines may be earlier.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.utk.edu/

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