Plant Sciences, MS
The Master of Science in Plant Sciences offers an advanced education in plant sciences to better develop and grow food, landscapes, and natural ecosystems. Through the five unique concentrations, students can obtain a thesis or project-based master’s degree to advance their career and expertise in plant sciences.
Program Overview
Through the plant sciences master’s program, students gain an array of knowledge in a variety of crop commodities, public horticulture, plant protection, molecular biology, breeding, genetics, biotechnology, and many more. With developed programs in research, coursework, and Extension, the Department of Plant Sciences is making an impact across Tennessee and international agriculture.
Concentrations
Students in this degree program choose between five concentrations: crop sciences, horticulture, plant breeding, plant molecular genetics, and weed science. Each concentration offers a thesis track and a project track. Students also may pursue the Master of Landscape Architecture, which is a separate degree program offered through the College of Landscape Architecture and Design.
Why study Plant Sciences?
A Versatile Degree
Through the five degree concentrations and two degree types, students have versatile degree choices. Students enroll in courses across science, agriculture, plants, leadership, and communications to develop skills that distinguish them in agricultural and scientific careers.
Innovative Research
The Department of Plant Sciences offers many different research opportunities for students. With state of the art research facilities across the state, students can specialize in one of many research areas: controlled environment agriculture, forage crop production, horticultural crop production, plant genetics and biotechnology, row crop production, specialty crops, turfgrass science, and weed science.
Bringing Turfgrass Research to the World Stage
The turfgrass research team is leading an innovative, first-of-its-kind research project in collaboration with Michigan State University to grow, install, and manage pitches for the FIFA World Cup 26. With matches being played at 16 venues across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, graduate students working on this project receive the opportunity of a lifetime—perfecting pitches for the largest FIFA World Cup ever.
What can you do with a degree in Plant Sciences?
Across our diverse concentrations, there is a wide range of careers available in plant sciences and agriculture across the state. Students can pursue careers in crop production, agricultural consulting, Extension, plant biology, biotechnology, urban horticulture, turfgrass management, and many more. Thesis-track graduates are also well prepared for competition for placement in PhD programs.
Featured Courses
PLSC 511 – Seed Biology and Physiology
Discussion and readings related to the seed as a biological system: its formation, development, dormancy, germination and viability.
PLSC 515 – Agroecology
Application of ecological concepts to management of horticultural and agronomic cropping systems. Overview of plant physiological ecology, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, and landscape ecology within the context of agroecosystems; special focus on the applied ecology of soil-plant-microbial interactions; discussion on current research in agroecology.
PLSC 526 – Plant Biochemistry & Stress Physiology
Fundamental aspects of plant biochemistry and stress physiology. Overview of primary and secondary metabolism; phytohormone biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways; insight into the biochemical reactions triggered by the diverse stresses encountered by plants throughout their life cycles, and their association with stress tolerance mechanisms.
PLSC 531 – Field Crop Production
Introduction to basic and applied principles and concepts of field crop production from an agronomic perspective. Review of the physiology of plant growth as relevant to the production of field crops. Description of the agricultural production and management of important field crops, and emerging topics associated with field crop production.
PLSC 541 – Advanced Turfgrass Management
Principles and scientific basis of turfgrass culture. Adaptation, ecology, physiology, climatic influences on grass culture. Clipping and water management; design.
PLSC 555 – Advanced Sustainable Landscape Construction
An overview of green infrastructure history, contemporary theory and application through study of design precedents. Detailed investigation into the construction of sustainable landscape assemblies and management practices as a context for a focused design/ prototype/ build project.
Admissions and Aid
Learn more about admissions and aid by visiting the links below.