Interim Head of the Department: Gary H. Heichel
Correspondence and Information: Head, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, N-519 Turner Hall, 1102 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 333-3170
GRADUATE FACULTY
Professors: J. L. Crane, C. J. D'Arcy, S. K. Farrand, R. E. Ford, L. E.
Gray, M. E. Irwin, G. R. Noel, J. K. Pataky, P. D. Shaw, J.B. Sinclair
Associate Professors: D. M. Eastburn, D. I. Edwards, A. D. Hewings, H. W. Kirby, J. D. Paxton, W. L. Pedersen, S. M. Ries, D. G. White, H. T. Wilkinson
Assistant Professors: W. Chen, L. L. Domier, C. E. Eastman
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
The Department of Plant Pathology offers a full complement of courses and study
leading to the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees. All students
are required to have a program-of-study committee meeting after the first
semester of graduate study. At that time, the courses a student will take for
completion of a degree will be identified based on departmental requirements
and individual student interests.
Training consists of a flexible program of courses and research in plant pathology and allied sciences. Areas of specialization include diseases of field, fruit, vegetable, turf, tree, or ornamental crops; virology, nematology, mycology, or phytobacteriology; chemical, genetic, and cultural control; biochemistry of plant diseases and pathogens; etiology; epiphytology; soil-borne diseases; and genetic and biotechnical engineering of plants and microorganisms.
ADMISSION
Applicants for graduate study must have a B.S. degree in a biological science
from an accredited university. Application files are screened by a departmental
admissions committee. Graduate College requirements, including the 4.0 (A =
5.0) minimum grade-point average, apply. We recommend that students take the
GRE and have strong letters of reference.
MASTER OF SCIENCE
A candidate for the master of science must complete 8 units of credit,
including the presentation of an acceptable thesis, and must pass an oral
examination. Three units must be in 400-level courses, and 2 of the 3 must be
in the major field. Limited credit in equivalent courses earned at other
institutions may be accepted at the discretion of the department head and the
student's program-of-study committee. Candidates must maintain a minimum
grade-point average of 4.0 (A = 5.0) for the master's program.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Students working toward the Ph.D. degree usually require three additional years
beyond the master's. To qualify for the preliminary examination, students must
complete 8 units of course work, including required courses, beyond the
master's degree. An oral preliminary examination before a minimum of four
faculty members, including at least three within and one from outside the
department, is required. A final examination by the same committee follows the
presentation of an acceptable thesis based on original research by the student.
Experience in teaching is a vital part of the graduate program and is required
as part of the academic work of all Ph.D. candidates. A grade-point average of
at least 4.0 is required for the Ph.D. degree.
FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid for graduate students in plant pathology is available as
fellowships, research assistantships, and tuition and partial fee waivers.
Qualified candidates are considered automatically for financial support upon
application. Graduate students must make satisfactory progress toward their
degree in order to renew their annual contract for support.
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