The educational and training needs of our graduate students are
the foundation of the research and academic programs in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology.

Students come from diverse backgrounds with a wide variety of research interests and career goals. Graduate programs leading to the Ph.D., M.S. and M.Ag. are offered.

In addition to earning a degree in plant pathology and microbiology, alternative degrees may be earned with those professors holding membership on the genetics faculty or the plant physiology faculty. Students design their academic program, independent research project, or internship in consultation with their major professor and graduate committee.

The major advisor will be a member of the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at College Station, with the option of a co-chair from one of the off-campus research and extension centers. Committee members play a critical role in the progress of the student's project and may come from within the department as well as from cooperative laboratories and agencies with common research interests. In many cases, the student chooses the major advisor with consent before or shortly following admission to the department. However, optional rotations provide laboratory experiences with faculty to aid entering uncommitted students in selecting a suitable program. There is a departmental graduate student advisor and graduate programs committee to further assist students and promote their needs and interests.

Assistantships, fellowships, and other means of financial support are available in many forms. Most graduate students hold research assistant appointments funded through the project of their major professor. Graduate fellowships are available on a competitive basis at the department and university level; students should inquire in writing through the departmental office. For students interested in teaching, the department offers teaching assistantships that provide financial assistance in exchange for teaching. We also offer non-teching assistantships entailing lab-preparatory duties.