Applied Biotechnology BSAB (Plant Science)/Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics MS

This program prepares students for further academic research opportunities in plant breeding, genetics, genomics, or other agro-biotechnological related fields. Career opportunities are dependent on specialization and include, but are not limited to: laboratory or field technician, breeding positions and support, bioinformatics, seed technician, and many more.

Admission to Program

Students should contact the graduate coordinator of the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics (IPBGG) during their second or third year of undergraduate studies. This is necessary to ensure that an advisor can be found and so that the student will have time to begin their research in their third or fourth year of undergraduate studies. Once an advisor is found and research plan developed, the student should apply for admission to the program as per the Admission Requirements. Students will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis but generally should have a GPA of at least 3.3. Foreign applicants have to take the TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language); minimum scores for this test are 80 for the internet-based test (with minimum of 20 on the speaking and 20 on the writing portion), 213 for the computer-based test, and 530 for the paper-based test.

Curriculum

Graduate-level courses that may be used to satisfy undergraduate and graduate program requirements.

ENTO(CRSS)(PATH) 4250/6250, Pesticides and Transgenic Crops
HORT(CRSS) 4430/6430, Plant Physiology
PBIO(CRSS) 4500/6500, Introduction to Gene Technology
PBGG(CRSS)(HORT) 4140/6140, Plant Breeding

Additional requirements that are unique to this Double Dawgs program:

N/A

Admission to Graduate Program

The application should include a curriculum vitae, undergraduate transcripts, statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation (see https://plantbreeding.caes.uga.edu/prospective-students/graduate/admissions.html).

Program Advisor

  • Name: Devin Duggan
  • Email: devinduggan@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706 542 1368
  • Address: 218 Poultry Science Athens, GA 30602

Undergraduate Major Information

  • Major: Applied Biotechnology B.S.A.B.
  • Department/College: College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Advising Contact

  • Name: Devin Duggan
  • Email: devinduggan@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706 542 1368
  • Address: 218 Poultry Science, Athens, GA 30602

Graduate Major Information

  • Major: Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics M.S.
  • Department/College: Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics

Advising Contact

  • Name: Esther van der Knaap
  • Email: esthervanderknaap@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706 542 4682
  • Address: 111 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602