Plant Biology Graduate Program Admissions

A Challenging Curriculum

The Plant Biology Graduate Program offers the master's degree without thesis (M.S.), the master's degree with thesis (M.S.), and the doctoral degree (Ph.D.). Required undergraduate preparation normally includes calculus, general and organic chemistry, physics, general biology or equivalent, genetics, and some botanical training. Students with strong academic records and other evidence of scholarly talents or promise are encouraged to apply. Submission of the Graduate Record Examination score is required and an appropriate subject test score is strongly recommended (example: biology, cell and molecular, ecology, or biochemistry). A variety of fellowships and teaching and research assistantships are available.

Admissions to the Plant Biology Graduate Program will be based on the requirements listed below. The Office of Graduate Admissions handles all admission and application procedures for students applying for Graduate Study at Rutgers-New Brunswick.

1. Degrees Offered
   1. Master's Degrees
      1. Master of Science (M.S.)
         1. M.S. with thesis.
         2. M.S. without thesis (usually terminal in this program)
      2. Master of Philosophy (M. Phil.)
   2. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
2. Admission Requirements
   1. Master's Degree
      1. Courses
         1. General Biology with laboratory (2 terms required)
         2. Two plant science courses (e.g. plant physiology, genetics, plant pathology, ecology or taxonomy)
         3. General Chemistry with laboratory (2 terms required)
         4. Organic Chemistry (1 term required, 2 recommended)
         5. One course in Calculus or Statistics
         6. One course in Physics, Geology or Soils
      2. The Graduate Record Examination (Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical/Writing Assessment) is required for admission. A Graduate Record Examination Advanced Test in an appropriate subject such as Biology, Biochemistry or Cell & Molecular Biology is strongly recommended. Lack of an admission requirement may be made up without credit early in a graduate student's curriculum. In certain cases, course requirements can be modified or waived.
      3. GPA of at least 3.0 and a preferred minimum GRE score of 500 Verbal and 600 Quantitative. Please note that the entire application is considered as a whole and a deficiency in a component does not mean an automatic rejection. Decisions are based upon the overall quality and merit of the entire application.
   2. Ph.D. Degree (Includes M.S./Ph.D. track students)
      1. Courses
         1. General Biology with laboratory (2 term required)
         2. Genetics
         3. A course in Plant Biology (e.g. Botany, Physiology, or Ecology)
         4. General Chemistry with laboratory (2 terms required)
         5. Organic Chemistry (1 term required, 2 recommended)
         6. Calculus (1 term required, 2 recommended)
         7. Physics (1 term required, 2 recommended)
      2. The Graduate Record Examination (Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical/Writing Assessment) is required for admission. A Graduate Record Examination Advanced Test in an appropriate subject such as Biology, Biochemistry or Cell & Molecular Biology is strongly recommended. Lack of an admission requirement may be made up without credit early in a graduate student's curriculum. In certain cases, course requirements can be modified or waived.

Useful Links

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