Department of Plant Science
M.S. in Plant Science
Dr. Andrew Lawson, Department Chair
Dr. John Bushoven and Dr. Sharon Benes, Graduate Program Co-Coordinators
- The Program | Master of Science Degree Requirements | Our Graduate Students | Research and Financial Support | Faculty | Quick Facts
The Program
The Master of Science degree in Plant Science at California State University, Fresno provides a scientific emphasis for students pursuing advanced careers in any of the major fields of the plant sciences. The program is also recommended for students wishing to ultimately pursue doctoral studies, and for those intending to become certified agronomists, horticulturists, soil scientists, or plant protection specialists.
Since 1940, the Central San Joaquin Valley, with Fresno at its center, has been the world's leading agricultural producer that yield billions of dollars annually, establishing this region as the premier agricultural marketplace in the world. Many of our graduate students conduct research for and become employed within the region's vast agricultural industry.
Master of Science Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Plant Science is a 30-unit program designed to provide advanced studies in the fundamentals of crop production and physiology, as well as experimental design, technical writing, and formal presentation of research results. The specific areas of emphasis include Agronomy, Entomology, Irrigation Management, Mechanized Agriculture, Ornamental Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Pomology, Soils and Crop Nutrition, Vegetable Crops and Weed Science. Core coursework provides an integrated understanding of most aspects of crop production and thesis research allows for specialization in any of the above fields of study. Most graduate courses are offered in the late afternoon or evening permitting students to earn their degree within two or three years if working closely with an adviser .
Admission Requirements . The Master of Science in Plant Science assumes preparation equivalent to a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Science. The following courses or equivalents are expected to be completed prior to admission to the master's program:
3 units - Plant Physiology
3 units - Statistics
3 units - Soils
3 units - Plant Health (entomology, pathology, nematology, integrated pest management, biological control, etc.)
6 units - Physical Science (chemistry, physics, etc.) of which a minimum of 3 units must be in chemistry
9 units - Life Science (biology, ecology, genetics, agricultural sciences, etc.)
Students who do not possess all prerequisite courses may be admitted to the program with conditionally classified standing and are expected to complete the prerequisites before being granted classified standing.
Our Graduate Students
Recent graduate students have conducted studies in areas such as irrigation management, integrated pest management, sustainable agriculture, salinity tolerances of various agronomic crops, yield enhancement and plant tissue culture technologies. Our graduate students have become leaders of the agricultural industry and are leading the effort in modern, scientifically based, economically sound, and environmentally sustainable agriculture.
Approximately 30% of our graduate students are international, primarily from Asia, Central and South America, and Europe. This level of diversity enables our students to experience first-hand, and to become leaders of, "World-Class Agriculture."
Research and Financial Support
The Jordan College of Agriculture Sciences and Technology has an excellent on-site 1000 acre farm for field research. This active farm laboratory enables students to conduct applied research in all aspects of crop production. Research laboratories exist within a dedicated graduate laboratory and nearby greenhouses and plant tissue culture facility.
Financial assistance may be available to qualified students as fellowships, scholarships and research/teaching assistantships.