About this program
Plant Pathology is the study of plant diseases that devastate our crops, forests and landscapes. You'll study plant diseases, plant science, biology, microbiology, genetics and soil science as well as diseases of field crops, trees, turfgrass, ornamentals, fruits and vegetables, and courses on pathogens and plant-microbe interactions. Choose between Plant Health Management and Plant Microbiology specializations.
What can I do with this degree?
Graduates in plant pathology study plant diseases and develop solutions to protect crops, ecosystems, and global food supplies. Through laboratory and field research, students prepare for careers in agriculture, environmental science, and biotechnology.
Plant Health and Crop Protection
- Plant health specialist
- Crop protection consultant
- Agricultural disease diagnostician
Research and Biotechnology
- Plant pathology research technician
- Laboratory technician
- Plant biotechnology specialist
Agricultural Industry and Consulting
- Agricultural consultant
- Crop science technical representative
- Seed or crop protection specialist
Government and Regulatory Agencies
- Plant health inspector
- Agricultural regulatory specialist
- Environmental protection specialist
- GE Launch Seminar: GENED 1201
- Writing and Information Literacy: Student Choice
- Mathematical & Quantitative Reasoning/Data Analysis: Major requirement: MATH 1148 or MATH 1150 (or Student Choice)
- Literary, Visual and Performing Arts: Student Choice
- Historical & Cultural Studies: Student Choice
- Natural Science: Major requirement: BIOLOGY 1101, BIOLOGY 1113, ENTMLGY 1101, or HCS 2202 (or Student Choice)
- Social & Behavioral Sciences: AEDECON 2001 or ECON 2001.01
- Race, Ethnic and Gender Diversity: Student Choice
- Theme: Citizenship for a Diverse & Just World: Student Choice
- Student Choice theme: Student Choice
- GE Reflection: GENED 4001
- Math & Quantitative Reasoning/Data Analysis: Major requirement: MATH 1148 or MATH 1150 (or Student Choice)
- Natural Science: Major requirement: BIOLOGY 1101, BIOLOGY 1113, ENTMLGY 1101, HCS 2201, or HCS 2204&05 (or Student Choice)
- Social & Behavioral Sciences: Major requirement: AEDECON 2001 or ECON 2001.01 (or Student Choice)
Major core courses
- General Plant Pathology Lecture (3) & Lab (2)
- Plant Disease Management
- Capstone: Prob.-Based Studies in Plant Health
- Introductory Plant Physiology
- Science of Fungi: Mycology Lecture (5040), with or without Lab (5041)
- Phytobacteriology
- Introductory Plant Virology
- Plant Nematology
- Field and Woodland Fungi
- Princ. of Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
- Current Topics Mol. Plant Microbe Interactions
- Beneficial Plant-associated Microbiomes
- If not taken above
- Plant Pathogenic Fungi
- Pract. Exp. in Plant Health: Insects & Diseases
- Eco. & Mgmt of Path. & Insects Affecting Trees
- Diseases of Ornamentals
- Turf Diseases & Integrated Turf Health Mgmt
- Diseases of Field Crops
- Fruit and Vegetable Diseases
- Plant Disease Diagnosis
Supporting courses
- General Chemistry I
- General Chemistry II
- Data Analysis: Select from HCS 2260, STAT 1450, ENR 2000, AEDECON 2005, COMLDR 3537, or ANIMSCI 2260
Major Coursework
- General Plant Pathology Lecture (3) & Lab (2)
- Plant Disease Management
- Capstone: Prob.-Based Studies in Plant Health
- Introductory Plant Physiology
Plant Systems: Select one (if not taken as GE or Additional Science option) (4 hrs)
- Ecology of Managed Plant Systems
- Form and Functions of Cultivated Plants
Plant Systems: Select one (3 hrs)
- Introduction to Agronomy
- Introduction to Horticulture
Plant Systems (3 hrs)
- Biology and Mgt of Weeds and Invasive Plants
Entomology: Select two (5 hrs)
- General Entomology
- General Insect Pest Management
- Urban Landscape & Greenhouse Entomology
- Agricultural Entomology
Discipline Specific: Select two (4-8 cr)
- Field and Woodland Fungi
- Princ. of Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
- Current Topics Mol. Plant Microbe Interactions
- Beneficial Plant-associated Microbiomes
- Phytobacteriology
- Introductory Plant Virology
- Nematology
- Science of Fungi: Mycology Lecture and Lab
- Plant Pathogenic Fungi
- Pract. Exp. in Plant Health: Insects & Diseases
- Eco. & Mgmt of Path. & Insects Affecting Trees
- Diseases of Ornamentals
- Turf Diseases & Integrated Turf Health Mgmt
- Diseases of Field Crops
- Fruit and Vegetable Diseases
- Plant Disease Diagnosis
- College & Department Survey: FAES 1100 (0.5) & PLNTPTH/ENTMLGY 1100 (0.5)
- Oral Expression: AGRCOMM 3130 or COMM 2110
- Additional Science: BIOLOGY 1114, ENTMLGY 2101, HCS 2202, or MOLGEN 3300
- Internship: FAES 3191 & PLNTPTH 4191
- Minor or Equiv. b: Student Choice
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Study plant health and address global challenges