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Plant Sciences

Master of Science (M.S.)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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A Classroom of Wide-Open Spaces

The food we eat. The fibers we wear. The resources we use to cure, build, cultivate, fuel and sustain the planet — much of it comes from plants.

At the University of Wyoming, we offer a wide-ranging, customizable graduate program in Plant Sciences that will give you the opportunity to discover where you want to grow expertise and how you want to contribute to the understanding, usage and sustainability of the world’s plant kingdom.

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Program Details

Tuition and Fees

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Program Requirements

Curriculum & Courses

Department

College of Agriculture, Life Sciences & Natural Resources
Department of Plant Sciences

What is Plant Sciences?

Wyoming is your classroom. With full-time faculty based in Laramie as well as at research and extension centers in Powell, Sheridan and Lingle, Wyoming, you will not only have the chance to learn on UW’s main campus — with its farm and greenhouses — but also through UW’s research and extension efforts statewide.

Our extension work, part of our roots as a proud land grant institution, allows you to join our program as a colleague. You will work in research areas such as invasive weed science and management, pest management, agronomy, horticulture and various aspects of agroecological efficiency and sustainability and be able to communicate your findings through UW’s outreach initiatives.

Graduates from our program go on to pursue further graduate studies or into careers in government, academia, extension programs, industry, nonprofits and consultancies.

Students in greenhouse
Class in the field

Our plant sciences degree programs allow you to match your degree to your individual interests. Plant sciences offers several specializations from which to choose, including:

  • Crop Science
  • Weed Science
  • Agroecology
  • Forage Agronomy
  • Plant Pathology
  • Horticulture
  • Specialty Crop Production

The Department of Plant Sciences offers an enormous diversity of classes. These are a few you might take:

  • Crop Yield Physiology
  • Greenhouse Design and Management
  • Seed Science and Technology
  • Weed Science and Technology
  • Invasive Plant Ecology
  • Plant Pathology
  • Plant Breeding
  • Sustainable Agriculture
  • Organic Food Production
  • Forage Crop Science

View the complete Plant Sciences M.S. degree program curriculum

View the complete Plant Sciences Ph.D. degree program curriculum

Plant graft

 

What Can You Do With a Plant Sciences Master’s or Doctoral Degree?

Equipped with academic knowledge, research and community-based experiences, graduates of M.S. and Ph.D. programs in plant sciences are quickly employed in a variety of industry, government, nonprofit and academic positions. Many master’s graduates continue on to Ph.D. programs at places such as University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Virginia Tech, University of Idaho, Washington State University and UW.

Plant Sciences Careers

UW Plant Sciences M.S. grads hold titles such as:

  • Wyoming Weed and Pest Supervisor or Assistant County Supervisor
  • Technician at Montana Ag Experiment Station
  • Loan Officer with USDA-Farm Service Agency
  • Conservation District Range Technician
  • NRCS District Conservationist
  • Variety Trials Manager at Pleasant View Gardens
  • Suburbitat invasive weed management technician
  • Faculty at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Field Development Representative at BASF

Ph.D. graduates hold titles such as:

  • Chief Science Officer at Plenty
  • Crop Protection Technology Development Representative with Bayer Crop Science
  • Research Scientist at Crop Research Institute (Ghana)
  • Research Scientist at USDA Agricultural Research Service
  • Scientist at Rodale Institute
  • Faculty at University of Idaho
  • Faculty at California State University-Monterey Bay
  • Agronomy Specialist at State University of Missouri

 

 

Researcher working with petri dishes

 

UW is home to a 1.8-acre student/research farm that uses organic methods to grow vegetables for Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares and the Laramie Farmers Market.

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Plant Sciences Program Highlights

In addition to becoming fluent in the plantscape of the West, you can individualize your program across a range of specialties that include plant production, plant protection, plant improvement and sustainability for future generations.

Here are some additional reasons to consider the UW graduate program in plant sciences:

Assistantships

Acquire research and teaching skills by applying for funding as a teaching or research assistant. 94% of our graduate students receive a full graduate assistantship, including a monthly stipend, tuition and fees.

Anywhere in Wyoming M.S.

Complete a master’s degree in plant sciences from anywhere in Wyoming by completing research through our extension locations in Sheridan, Powell and Lingle, Wyoming, or in your home county for feasible projects. Many of our Ph.D. students also work at our extension centers.

Faculty & Research 

As a plant sciences grad student you can collaborate with the plant sciences department faculty at UW on critical topics such as sustainable crop production, climate change and plant breeding. You will also work with a faculty adviser to complete an applied research-based thesis or dissertation. Explore recent and ongoing graduate research projects in the department to enhance your knowledge.

Outreach & UW Extension

Engage in valuable outreach and extension activities by presenting and networking at meetings with stakeholders like the Western Sugar Cooperative, Wyoming Wheat Growers and other organizations. Contribute to the research and education efforts of UW's Extension network, which has offices in all 23 counties of Wyoming. Also collaborate with federal agencies such as NRCS, Forest Service, BLM, Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA-ARS to broaden your knowledge and expertise.

 

Scholarships

Pursue a scholarship. The Department of Plant Sciences offers graduate scholarships such as:

Bohnenblust-Kolp Student Research Experience Scholarship awards students researching crop science, horticulture, plant pathology and weed science.

George H. Bridgmon Fund in Plant Science offers funding to students studying plant pathology.

Edward H. “Ted” and Susan King Lloyd Graduate Research Award may be used to fund graduate research, including travel, with relevance to applied commercial agriculture.

 

 

 

 

I try to instill the Wyoming spirit of grit, determination and pride within every student I come in contact with.

- Elizabeth Mosqueda, Ph.D. ’19
Bob and Sue Johnson Professor of Crop Management at California State University—Monterey Bay. Her UW Ph.D. research explored how to use alternative non-chemical tactics to manage herbicide-resistant weeds. Her research is critical to developing healthier and more sustainable agricultural systems for the environment, farmers and farmworkers.

Related Programs

Are you interested in a related advanced degree? These programs might also be of interest:

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Department of Plant Sciences

Department 3354, 1000 E. University Avenue

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-3103

Email: plantsciences@uwyo.edu