Graduate Studies in Plant and Soil Sciences
University of Kentucky
The Departments of Plant and Soil Sciences and Horticulture at the University of Kentucky offer exciting opportunities for graduate study in the plant and soil sciences. The large (65 member), interdepartmental graduate faculty makes it possible for students to seek training in the many diverse aspects of plant and soil sciences. Research programs range from fundamental studies of plant physiology and molecular biology, to environmental analysis of plant/soil/water systems, to investigations of innovative management technologies for agronomic and horticultural crops.
The graduate faculty includes many internationally recognized research scientists. Our faculty place the highest priority on excellence in graduate training. The high ratio of faculty to students promotes individualized guidance and extensive interaction. Students and their advisors have the flexibility to develop graduate programs with an appropriate balance of coursework, research experience, and practical technical training.
Excellent facilities are provided for both laboratory and field research. Assistantship support is available on a competitive basis to well-qualified students.
Areas of specialization include:
(click on degree name to link to graduate school bulletin):
Plant and Soil Science (M.S. degree)
Crop Science
Horticultural Science
Soil Science
Plant Physiology
Crop Science (Ph.D. degree)
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Turfgrass Science
Weed Science
Crop Physiology/Management
Seed Science and Technology
Cellular and Molecular Genetics
Soil Science (Ph.D. degree)
Soil Physics
Soil Genesis and Classification
Soil Chemistry
Surface Mineland Reclamation
Soil Management and Conservation
Soil Microbiology
Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition
Soil Mineralogy
Forest Soils
Soil/Water Environmental Quality
Plant Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Ph.D. degree)
Molecular Biology
Herbicide Metabolism
Natural Products
Carbohydrate Partitioning
Photosynthesis
Developmental Biology
Disease Resistance Mechanisms
Plant Nutrition
Membrane Biology
All students with strong training in science, including but not limited to majors in biology, chemistry, agronomy and horticulture, are encouraged to apply. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 is generally required, and all applicants must take the Graduate Record Examination. Foreign students should submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Applications may be submitted at any time, but application at least four months in advance of the intended starting date is recommended.
Candidates should designate one of the following graduate programs on their application:
Plant and Soil Science (M.S. degrees)
Crop Science (Ph.D. only)
Plant Physiology (Ph.D. only)
Soil Science (Ph.D. only)
Application forms for admission and assistantships/fellowships can be obtained from the address below . Application forms must be submitted to the Graduate School along with requested documents. In addition, applicants should arrange for transcripts and three letters of recommendation to be sent to the following address:
Director of Graduate Studies:
"Designate here the program name in which you are interested"
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40546-00914
For Further Information:
We would be happy to discuss areas of study, academic requirements, financial support opportunities or application procedures in greater detail. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the University as part of the application process, and funds may be available to assist students in travel to the campus. Interested students and potential candidates are invited to contact individual faculty, write to the Director of Graduate Studies at the address above, or call either of these numbers:
For study in horticultural areas:
Contact Dr. Dewayne Ingram
Department of Horticulture
phone: (859) 257-1758
e-mail: dingram@uky.edu
For crop science, plant physiology, or soil science:
Contact Dr. Michael Barrett
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
phone: (859) 257-5020
e-mail: mbarrett@uky.edu