Botany Graduate Degree Program

MAIN AREAS OF RESEARCH

The Botany graduate program provides broad training in plant science with advanced training in some particular domain of research. These research areas range from cell molecular and developmental biology, through plant physiology, plant structure and ultrastructure, to evolution, mycology, systematic biology and ecology. Graduate students identify follow a particular track within botany but are also encouraged to work across conventional domains and across department boundaries.

PROGRAM FUNDING

Financial support is available to qualified graduate students in the form of teaching, research and project assistantships and fellowships. Typically, there are approximately 35 graduate students who hold assistantships or fellowships in the botany department. In addition, graduate students are eligible for a number of intradepartmental awards and grants.

Graduate students who have a teaching, research or project assistantships of at least a 33.3% appointment (approximately 13.3 hours per week) for a fall or spring term are eligible to receive remission of full tuition. Fellowships or traineeships that are payrolled through the university and that carry stipends equivalent to at least a 33.3% research assistantship also qualify for remission of nonresident tuition. Tuition remission is conditionally awarded at the start of the semester based on the expectation that actual earnings during the semester will be at least 33.3% of the full-time rate. All students pay segregated fees. The only exception is that fellowships paid through the Graduate School have segregated fees waived in addition to tuition.

Assistantships and fellowships also provide eligibility for an excellent health insurance program, an extremely valuable benefit that provides single or family coverage that is more comprehensive than individuals can usually purchase on their own.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The Department of Botany will consider applicants for graduate degrees who surpass the minimum admissions requirements of the Graduate School. Candidates for fall admission should submit their full applications to the department by December 1 to be considered for financial support. Applications may be reviewed until April 15. The general Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required, but if available, will be considered in the admissions process.  The GRE subject test in Biology or in Cell and Molecular Biology is not required but, if available, will be considered. Admission is based on the applicant’s statement of purpose, undergraduate record,  letters of recommendation, experience in research, and the interests they share with one or more potential faculty advisors.