Degree Title and Name:  Master of Science in Plant Biology

Program Name and Number:  Plant Biology – MS2111

Department/Unit:  Environmental and Plant Biology

Delivery Mode:  Athens Campus

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall, Spring, Summer

Program Overview: The Environmental and Plant Biology M.S. graduate program is a full-time program that provides educational and research experience in plant biology from the molecular to the organismal and ecosystem levels. Normative time to completion is two academic years. Most students are trained within three general areas of study: plant ecology, plant systematics and evolution, or plant molecular and cellular biology. The program strives to foster communication across and beyond these areas of study to provide unique opportunities to meet each student’s specific career goals. A full-time student on the standard Plant Biology track should expect to graduate in about 2 years.

The M.S. program is designed to:

• Train and prepare students to be successful in a Ph.D. program or positions in industry, government, or non-governmental organizations
• Each student will be directed in the conduct of independent research in the pursuit of knowledge.
• Train students to conduct independent research in the pursuit of knowledge.
• Mentor students in grantsmanship and have many opportunities to support their own research with internal and external funding.
• Provide hands-on teaching experience to students because the program provides a teaching assistantship. As teaching assistants, students have the opportunity to assist in a variety of courses and interact with faculty.
• Expose all students to the national and international plant biology community through colloquia, seminars, and scientific meetings that will aid them in achieving their post-M.S. career goals.

PBIO-MCB track offers additional courses: MCB 7200 (Molecular Biology), MCB 7410 (Seminar in Molecular and Cellular Biology), MCB 7600 (Advanced Cell Biology), CHEM 5901 (Biochemistry I), CHEM 5902 (Biochemistry II), and computer science courses (bioinformatics, etc.) A full-time student on the PBIO-MCB track should expect the degree to take about 2.5 years.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate the professional standards and responsible conduct expected of scientists.

• Synthesize literature in their area(s) of study.
• Design a research study/scientific experiment. 
• Analyze and interpret data.
• Communicate scientific ideas in both written and oral forms to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate the breadth of knowledge in plant biology essential for the pursuit of different career paths.
• Demonstrate the skills essential to building and maintaining the scientific community.

Link to Program:  https://www.ohio.edu/cas/plantbio/grad/plant-bio-ms.cfm

Link to Program Handbook: http://www.ohio.edu/plantbio/Assets/documents/grad/graduate_handbook_2013_2014.pdf 

Graduation Requirements:  

Plant Biology (PBIO)

1. A minimum of 20 PBIO graduate hours of graded course work, excluding seminar, supervised study, colloquium, and research.
2. Successfully complete Biological Research and Science Ethics (PBIO 5170).
3. One course for each of the three sub-disciplines listed below:
4. Successfully complete one course for each of the three sub-disciplines listed below:

CELL/MOLECULAR BIOLOGY: PBIO 5240 Plant Physiology, PBIO 5280 Genomics Lab, PBIO 5300 Plant Genetics, PBIO 5310 Cell Biology, PBIO 5500 Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering

PLANT ECOLOGY: PBIO 5220 Tropical Plant Ecology, PBIO 5260 Physiological Plant Ecology, PBIO 5330 Restoration Ecology, PBIO 5350 Population & Community Ecology, PBIO 5380 Soils & Ecosystems

ORGANISMAL BOTANY: PBIO 5080 Structural Botany, PBIO 5090 Plant Systematics, PBIO 5100 Fungi, PBIO 5190 Ohio Flora, PBIO 5200 Phycology, PBIO 5750 Plant Population Genetics & Speciation

1. Earn a minimum of 10 credit hours of research (PBIO 6940).
2. Successfully complete two semesters of seminar (PBIO 6970).
3. Maintain a GPA at or above 3.00.
4. Successfully complete a thesis research proposal.
5. Successfully complete a research thesis with an oral defense.

Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology

1. A minimum of 20 graded hours of coursework at the graduate level, with at least 10 credit hours in PBIO, and excluding seminar, supervised study, colloquium, and research.
2. Successfully complete Biological Research and Science Ethics (PBIO 5170) and Biochemistry (CHEM 5901 or CHEM 5890).
3. Successfully complete one course in MCB 7200 Molecular Biology, MCB 7300 Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, PBIO 5310 Cell Biology, or MCB 7600 Advanced Cell Biology.
4. Earn a minimum of 10 credit hours of research (PBIO 6940).
5. Successfully complete two semesters of MCB seminar (MCB 7410) each year.
6. Maintain a GPA at or above 3.00.
7. Successfully complete a thesis research proposal.
8. Pass a Comprehensive Examination composed of written sections no later then the 3^rd academic semester.
9. Successfully complete a research thesis with an oral defense.

For more details: http://www.ohio.edu/plantbio/Assets/documents/grad/PBIOGradGuidelines_2014.pdf

Culminating Experience:

• Comprehensive Examination (PBIO-MCB)
• Thesis

Admission Requirements:  Minimum GPA: 3.00. Combined Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal and quantitative scores of 305, achieved within the last 4 years, are recommended. TOEFL score of 95 is recommended. In addition to test scores, the following documents must be submitted with the application: a curriculum vitae; a 1-2 page personal statement indicating preferred faculty advisor(s) and describing previous research experience, graduate school goals, and career plans after graduate school; and three letters of recommendation. A faculty member willing to advise the student is required for admission.

International Students: This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.