Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy in Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences is an integrative program designed to develop the highest level of expertise in the natural sciences to better develop and grow food, landscapes, and natural ecosystems. This multi-departmental program offers two main concentrations with areas for specialization in different sectors of plant and soil sciences.
Program Overview
Students can pursue a wide range of studies with opportunities to specialize in areas such as soil and water chemistry, nutrient and elemental cycling, land management and reclamation, crop commodities, public horticulture, plant protection, molecular biology, and more.
This joint-departmental program allows for overlap in research and specialization areas as well, providing an expert-level education in plant and environmental sciences. Graduates gain the skills necessary to progress in their careers and emerge as leaders in protecting and promoting our plants and natural sciences.
Concentrations
Doctoral students can choose between six concentrations: crop sciences, horticulture, plant breeding, plant molecular genetics, weed science, and plant, soil, and environmental sciences.
Within the plant, soil, and environmental sciences concentration, students can specialize in one of many focus areas: soil and water chemistry, nutrient management, pedology, genesis and classification, environmental climatology, soil biology and biochemistry, or soil physical processes.
Why study Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences?
Expert Research
Across both departments, graduate students have access to a wide range of research areas with expert faculty members, depending on their chosen concentration.
The Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science offers research pathways in soil conservation and health, hydrology and water management, waste management, bioprocessing and biomass conversion, power and machinery, instrumentation, sensors, and control systems.
The Department of Plant Sciences provides research opportunities in controlled environment agriculture, forage crop production, horticultural crop production, plant genetics and biotechnology, row crop production, specialty crops, turfgrass science, and weed science.
Learning Outdoors
Hands-on learning is an integral component of the plant, soil, and environmental sciences program. Students gain real-world experiences through field trips and labs, expanding learning outside the classroom. With research units across campus and Tennessee, students have access to state-of-the-art research facilities.
What can you do with a degree in Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences?
A PhD in plant, soil, and environmental sciences prepares students for many careers in agriculture and natural resources. From careers in higher education, such as research, lecturing, and Extension, to careers in plant biology, biotechnology, environmental consulting, urban horticulture, and turfgrass management, graduates have access to a wide range of opportunities.
Featured Courses
ESS 511 – Soil-Plant Nutrient Cycling in Managed Ecosystems
Principles of nutrient cycling and soil exchange processes affecting nutrient availability to plants; management of soil nutrients to optimize crop growth; environmental implications of nutrient management; effects of both traditional and non-traditional nutrient amendments; and constraints to measuring plant-available nutrients in the soil.
ESS 513 – Advanced Soil Chemistry
Chemical properties and processes that operate in soil environment: thermodynamics of soil solutions and surface chemistry of soils, soluble complex formation, mineral solubility, electrochemical equilibria, geochemical modeling, ion exchange equilibria, surface functionality and reactivity, adsorption phenomena, and surface complexation modeling.
PLSC 552 – Plant Biotechnology and Genetics
General principles and techniques used in plant modification. Principles of molecular and transmission genetics as applied to plant biotechnology and plant improvement.
PLSC 634 – Advanced Weed Science Principles
Principles of Weed Science with emphasis on herbicide chemistry, herbicide effects on plant physiology, the analysis of herbicide residues in soils and plants, weed biology, and methods to conduct research under field laboratory conditions.
Admissions and Aid
Learn more about admissions and aid by visiting the links below.