Crop Sciences
AW-101 Turner Hall
1102 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 244-0396
E-mail: sdcarson@illinois.edu
Major: Crop Sciences
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.
Major: Bioinformatics
Degrees Offered: M.S.
Graduate Concentration: Crop Sciences
Online Program: Crop Sciences
Degrees Offered: M.S.
Medical Scholars Program: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Crop Sciences and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) through the Medical Scholars Program
Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of Crop Sciences offers programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Great flexibility exists for planning programs in various areas, and no rigid curricula are prescribed. The following areas of specialization, along with some of the corresponding disciplines, indicate the breadth of opportunities: plant pathology including epidemiology, control, mycology, phytobacteriology, virology, nematology, and host plant resistance; plant breeding and genetics including cytogenetics, molecular genetics, quantitative genetics, and genetics of host-pathogen interactions; molecular biology and physiology including biochemistry, plant physiology, tissue culture, and plant-pathogen interactions; crop production including management, crop ecology, plant nutrition, and international crop production; weed science including biology, control, and ecology; bioinformatics; biometry including experimental design and data analysis; and integrated pest management including response of crops to climate changes and fate of agricultural chemicals.
The genomic and proteomic projects are generating large amounts of complex biological data that require effective storage, retrieval, analysis and interpretation. The bioinformatics degree program provides students with the skills necessary to augment the understanding and use of agricultural, biological and medical information and resources through the application of molecular, chemical, physical, computational, statistical, mathematical and informatic techniques. Students interested in this program may come with undergraduate training in one of the following areas: (a) biological and agricultural sciences, (b) statistical, mathematical and computer sciences, (c) informatics and engineering sciences. Graduates from the bioinformatics program will be able to integrate basic and applied concepts in the three areas and applied them to biotechnology and medical research. For additional information, please see our website at www.cropsci.illinois.edu/academics/grad/.
Admission
Applicants are considered for admission to the Master of Science program if they have a bachelor's or equivalent degree comparable to that granted by the University of Illinois. Admission to the Ph.D. program will be considered for applicants with the M.S., those nearing completion of the M.S., and in some cases, those with the B.S. Because of the diversity of programs in the Department of Crop Sciences, the preparation that is needed varies considerably. Strong letters of reference, evident motivation to undertake graduate study, and good preparation in basic science courses enhance an applicant's credentials. For some programs, greater emphasis is given to previous training in plant sciences, chemistry, or mathematics. A grade point average equivalent to at least a B in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work plus any graduate work completed is required. All applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit the results of the TOEFL or IELTS as evidence of English proficiency. Official scores are required to be submitted directly from TOEFL/ETS or IELTS to the University. Additional information for international applicants can be found at: www.grad.illinois.edu/prospective/international.htm. Results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required for applicants to all programs except the off-campus Master of Science program. Applications are accepted year-round for admission during the fall, spring, and summer terms. Please see our web page for additional information: www.cropsci.illinois.edu/academics/grad/.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate degrees offered and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Science, Crop Sciences
| Required Courses: | Thesis Option- Required Hours |
Non-thesis Option-Required Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework hours, including CPSC 598 and at least 4 hours of graded coursework at the 500 level other than CPSC 599 | 20 | 36 |
| Thesis Hours Required – CPSC/PLPA 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | max 12 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | 36 |
| Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit: | 5 | 1 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* | ||
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | 3.0 |
Candidates must complete 32 hours of graduate study as approved by their graduate advisory committee with at least a B average. An oral final examination is required of all M.S. candidates, and written examinations may be required at the option of the examining committee.
Master of Science, Bioinformatics
| Required Courses: | Thesis Option- Required Hours |
Non-thesis Option-Required Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One biology course from approved list | 4 | 4 |
| CS 411 or 473 | 4 | 4 |
| One bioinformatics course from approved list | 4 | 4 |
| Seminar | 1 per semester | |
| Thesis Hours Required – CPSC/PLPA 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | 36 |
| Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit: | 5 | 3 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 | 12 |
| Other Requirements:*A concentration is required. | ||
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | 3.0 |
The Crop Sciences concentration within the M.S. degree in Bioinformatics can be earned with a thesis option or a non-thesis option, which requires optional supervised research experiences.
Doctor of Philosophy
| Required Courses: | Required Hours - Entering with approved M.S./M.A. degree | Required Hours - Entering with approved B.S./B.A. degree* |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework approved by the graduate advisory committee with a grade point average of at least a B, including 16 hours outside the core specialization area are required | 32 | 64 |
| Thesis Hours Required– CPSC/PLPA 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 32 | 32 |
| Total Hours | 64 | 96 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 33 | 36 |
| Other Requirements:* | ||
| 64 hours of in-residence credit beyond the M.S. | ||
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Qualifying Exam Required | No | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes | Yes |
Students are required to pass an oral preliminary examination, usually after substantial completion of the Ph.D. coursework requirements. An acceptable dissertation is required. An oral final examination is required, consisting of a defense of the dissertation and examination on such other matters as members of the examining committee may select. The qualifying and preliminary examinations may include written sections at the option of members of the examining committee. Residence requirements are the same as those of the Graduate College.
Online Program
The Online M.S. in Crop Sciences program enables students to strengthen their education typically through part-time study, as most students are working professionals. Courses are delivered mainly through online and other distance education technologies and occasional site-based programming (site-based courses are optional and not required to complete the degree). The program has a 30 year history of providing high quality University of Illinois courses and began granting off-campus MS degrees since 1986 to agriculture professionals across Illinois, as well as in neighboring states. Students may enroll in individual courses for personal or professional advancement or may apply for admission to the master's degree program in Crop Sciences. To date, hundreds of students have completed individual courses, and nearly 140 students have received an M.S. degree in the 22 years of degree granting. Students who successfully complete three qualifying courses may also receive a Professional Development Certificate in Crop Sciences.
Master of Science, Crop Sciences
| Required Courses: | Thesis Option- Required Hours |
Non-thesis Option-Required Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Research/Project/Independent Study Hours (min/max applied toward degree): | max 4 | max 4 |
| Thesis Hours Required– CPSC/PLPA 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | max 12 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | 32 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* | ||
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | 3.0 |
The Online M.S. in Crop Sciences program also works in conjunction with the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Online M.S. program, the Department of Animal Sciences and the Agriculture Education Online M.S. program to offer a diverse set of courses. The Department of Crop Sciences is looking to the future and the needs of non-traditional students. Therefore, new courses are continually in development for online delivery and blended formats. A student may complete their entire degree requirements online from anywhere in the world and are available to in-state students, and out-of-state students at the same tuition rates. For more information on Crop Sciences, the Online M.S. in Crop Sciences degree program or certificate offerings, please visit www.cropsci.illinois.edu/ocgs.
Medical Scholars Program
The Medical Scholars Program permits highly qualified students to integrate the study of medicine with study for a graduate degree in a second discipline, including Crop Sciences. Students may apply to the Medical Scholars Program prior to beginning graduate school or while in the graduate program. Applicants to the Medical Scholars Program must meet the admissions standards for and be accepted into both the doctoral graduate program and the College of Medicine. Students in the dual degree program must meet the specific requirements for both the medical and graduate degrees. On average, students take eight years to complete both degrees. Further information on this program is available by contacting the Medical Scholars Program, 125 Medical Sciences Building, (217) 333-8146 or at www.med.illinois.edu/msp.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program.
Faculty Research Interests
Please refer to the following webpage for a detailed listing of our faculty and their areas of interest www.cropsci.illinois.edu/faculty/.
Facilities and Resources
The department of crop sciences has excellent laboratory, greenhouse, and field research facilities available for all types of research. A network of experimental locations throughout the state and cooperative arrangements with other states make thesis research possible under a wide range of environmental and climatic conditions. The department's involvement in international programs may provide opportunities to conduct thesis research abroad. All phases of research, from bioinformatics, molecular biology and biophysics to field testing and crop production, are supported by state-of-the-art facilities. A map of the facilities can be seen at www.cropsci.illinois.edu/facilities.cfm.
Financial Aid
Fellowships and assistantships are available to outstanding students on a competitive basis. Awards for financial assistance are based principally on a candidate’s academic record, statement of plans, letters of reference, and GRE scores.