Agriscience and Environmental Systems BSA(Plant Breeding and Genetics)/Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics MS

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

Admission to Program

Students should first contact the graduate coordinator of the IPBGG (Dr. Esther van der Knaap, vanderkn@uga.edu) during their second or third year of undergraduate studies. This is necessary to ensure that an advisor can be found and to 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.

HORT 6430 - Plant Physiology
PBIO(CRSS) 6500 - Gene Technology
PBGG 6140 - Plant Breeding
ENTO 6250 - Pesticides & Transgenic Crops

Additional requirements that are unique to this Double Dawgs program:

Note: The program works best when students are engaged in undergraduate research that can be expanded into their thesis.

Admission to Graduate Program

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

Program Advisor

Undergraduate Major Information

  • Major: Agriscience and Environmental Systems (also offered at Tifton) B.S.A.
  • Department/College: College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Advising Contact

  • Name: Aaron Thompson
  • Email: aaront@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-2461
  • Address: 3101 Miller Plant Science

Graduate Major Information

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

Advising Contact