plant biology phd programs

Plant Biology PhD

The Graduate Program in Plant Biology is designed to train students in modern research areas of plant biology. Students' courses of study are designed individually, in light of their interests and career goals. The graduate program features an introductory seminar (Faculty Research Review), six five-week core course modules, and additional special topic courses and seminars in areas of faculty specialties. The department has research expertise in the following areas: molecular, cellular, genetic, biochemical, physiological, developmental, and structural biology, and plant-microbe interactions. The core courses cover plant developmental genetics, genomics and computational biology, plant diversity and evolution, plant cell biology, plant biochemistry, and plant systems biology.

Contact Info

[email protected]

111 Koshland Hall

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Plant & Microbial Biology

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 1, 2023

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

• Cornell University Home
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School of Integrative Plant Science

MS/PhD Field of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology

Advancing understanding of pathogens and their control.

Graduate study in Cornell's Integrative School of Plant Science is organized into five Graduate Fields providing unparalleled opportunities to connect disciplines, creatively solve problems, and integrate complex systems, preparing graduates for diverse careers and futures as leaders in science and society.

The Field of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology (PPPMB) focuses on all aspects of plant diseases and the biology of plant-microbe interactions at the molecular to ecosystem levels of organization. This Field is also the home for studying the biology, genetics, and evolution of fungi and oomycetes. Most of the faculty advisors in the Field of PPPMB are affiliated with the Section of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology in the School of Integrative Plant Science.

Grand Challenge Fellowships

The School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) is offering four two-year fellowships to graduate students for research tackling our  Grand Challenges .

• Fellowships are for August 2024 admission.
• Application deadline is December 1, 2023.  (November 15, 2023 for Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology.)
• More information.

Apply to the Graduate Field of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology

• Apply (Cornell Graduate School Application)
• Grad Field of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology application information

Graduate Field Concentrations

The MS/PhD Graduate Field of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology consists of three concentrations:

• Plant Pathology
• Plant-Microbe Biology
• Fungal and Oomycete Biology

Learn more about our graduate concentrations

Students in the Plant Pathology program have diverse interests in the fundamental biology, etiology, and epidemiology of plant pathogens as well as the management of plant diseases; however, they are united in the common goal of achieving a greater understanding of pathogen biology and ecology in order to predict and mitigate disease impacts.

Students in this program will master the fundamental knowledge of plant pathogens and diseases while developing conceptual knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement programs in integrated disease management.

Core concepts in the Plant Pathology program of study:

• Knowledge of all pathogen groups
• Principles of disease management
• Identification of pathogens within major pathogen groups
• Disease etiology and epidemiology
• Disease development and pathogen evolution
• Mechanisms of plant-pathogen interactions
• Experimental design and applied statistics
• Role/opportunities of plant pathology in agriculture and natural systems
• Pathogenomics in plant pathology
• Basic skills in isolation and culture of major pathogen groups

This suite of skills, knowledge, and abilities are developed through core and elective courses, research projects, teaching, extension, and outreach opportunities. In addition to the   course requirements of all PPPMB students , PhD students in the Plant Pathology program are required to complete PPLPPM 4020 and two special topics courses.  Additionally, PLPPM 4190 (our field course) is strongly recommended.  The course requirements for a PhD minor in the Plant Pathology program are determined by the Special Committee, but include PLPPM 3010, PLPPM 4010, and at least one special topics course.

In addition to the course requirements of all PPPMB students, the MS major in the Plant Pathology program is required to complete PLPPM 4020 and a minimum of either one additional special topics course or PLPPM 4190.  The MS minor in the Plant Pathology program requires PLPPM 3010.  In addition to the courses listed above, the Special Committee may suggest other courses that are appropriate for the student's interests and research project.

Students in the Plant-Microbe Biology program have educational backgrounds in Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology. They typically conduct research on pathogenic, symbiotic, and epiphytic processes that enable microbial associations with plants and the mechanisms in plants that lead to defense, susceptibility, or cooperation.

Students in this concentration will master a fundamental understanding of the biology of the interactions between plants and microbes, particularly with respect to pathogenesis and symbiosis. They are expected to be interdisciplinary and able to bridge basic and translational research.

Core concepts in the Plant-Microbe Biology program of study:

• Pathogenic lifestyles: necrotrophs versus biotrophs
• Primary pathogenic mechanisms of necrotrophs
• Primary pathogenic mechanism of biotrophs
• The first level of induced plant defense
• The second level of effector-triggered immunity
• Systemic acquired resistance, induced systemic resistance, priming, and related plant defenses
• Major classes of antimicrobial compounds produced by plants
• Differences and antagonisms between plant defenses
• Pathogenic mechanisms of bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, viruses, and nematodes
• Development of better ways to durably protect crops

This suite of knowledge, skills, and abilities are developed from core and elective courses, research projects, and outreach opportunities. In addition to the course requirements of all PPPMB students , PhD students majoring in the Plant-Microbe Biology program are expected to complete PLPPM 4020, two special topics courses, and at least one minor in a graduate field in the core life sciences or physical sciences. The course requirements for a minor in the Plant-Microbe Biology program are determined by the Special Committee, but include at least the equivalent of PLPPM 3010 and PLPPM 4010. For students majoring in Plant Pathology or Fungal and Oomycete Biology with a minor in Plant-Microbe Biology, the Special Committee may recommend an additional life sciences course or research experience in a Plant-Microbe Biology or life sciences laboratory.

The Fungal and Oomycete Biology program serves as the center of eukaryotic microbiology on the Cornell campus. Research and teaching activities are focused on molecular and cellular biology of host associations and development, population biology, ecology and evolution, and epidemiology and management of fungi and oomycetes in natural and agricultural ecosystems.

Core concepts in the Fungal and Oomycete Biology program of study:

• Structure and function of fungal/oomycete cells
• Fungal/oomycete lifestyles
• Ecological and evolutionary relationships
• Mating systems
• Fungal/oomycete genetics and genomics
• Cell and molecular biology
• Interaction Biology
• Population genetics
• Fungal/oomycete metabolism
• Manipulating and identifying fungi/oomycetes

These concepts and skills are developed from core and elective courses, research projects, and outreach. In addition to the course requirements of all PPPMB students , PhD students majoring in Fungal and Oomycete Biology are required to complete PLPPM 4490 (Advanced Mycology), PLPPM 6380 (Filamentous Fungal Genomics and Development), and PLPPM 6490 (a current issues course in Fungal and Oomycete Biology). PhD students minoring in Fungal and Oomycete Biology are required to complete two of the above three courses.

For the MS major in the Fungal and Oomycete Biology program, students are required to complete PLPPM 4490 and PLPPM 6380 in addition to the course requirements for all PPPMB students. The minor requirements for MS students are determined by the Special Committee. In addition to the courses listed above, the Special Committee may suggest other appropriate courses given the student's interests and research focus.

Josh Balles Graduate Field Coordinator 237 Emerson Hall Phone: 607-255-9573 Email: jeb527 [at] cornell.edu (jeb527[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Sarah Pethybridge Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies Graduate Field of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology sjp277 [at] cornell.edu (sjp277[at]cornell[dot]edu) Phone: (315) 787-2417

Program metrics, demographics and outcomes

Select the graduate field of interest from the pull-down menu on the linked page

• Graduate Field program statistics
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More information about grad study in PPPMB

See these links for information specific to MS/PHD studies in the Field of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology

• Faculty in the Field of PPPMB
• More about the SIPS Section of PPPMB
• Recent theses in the Field of PPPMB
• Meet our PPPMB graduate students
• PPPMB field requirements
• PPPMB student life

Learn more about graduate study in SIPS

Five interrelated Graduate Fields are associated with the School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) with many resources common to all

• Financial Support
• NSF Research Traineeship
• Schmittau-Novak Small Grants Program
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Plant Biology Graduate Programs

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Plant Biology

We offer three graduate degrees in plant biology: a  Doctorate (Ph.D.) , a thesis  Master’s degree (M.S.) , and a  non-thesis Master’s degree (M.R.) .

Our plant biology graduate faculty is a diverse, collegial and well-funded group with varied research interests and approaches in plant biology, from molecules to ecosystems. We engage in interdisciplinary research projects and collaborate with faculty members in many departments across NC State. Our plant biologists (including USDA-ARS scientists) can be found the Departments of Crop and Soil Sciences , Horticultural Science , Molecular and Structural Biochemistry , Entomology and Plant Pathology , and Forestry and Environmental Resources . We also have several associate faculty members from agricultural biotechnology companies located in the Research Triangle Park .

Our graduate students benefit from this wide scope of plant biology research at NC State, and the broader research community at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Duke University. Students have the opportunity to conduct research in diverse areas of contemporary plant biology such as plant genomics, cell biology, plant-microbe interactions, and conservation biology, among others.

Emphasizes developing research scientists to become scholars in academia, or leaders in industry or government. Ph.D. Degree Requirements Ph.D. Timeline Ph.D. Policies & Procedures   

A research degree for students interested in environmental consulting, natural resource inventory or in management positions. M.S. Degree Requirements M.S. Timeline   

A non-thesis, course-intensive degree suitable for students interested in increasing their knowledge or complementing prior research experience. M.R. Degree Requirements M.R. Timeline   

Want to learn more about our programs?

Please fill out our interest form with your contact information, and we will be in touch! 

Interested in our graduate programs?

January 15 is the priority deadline for consideration for assistantships and fellowships. Apply now! 

Plant Research Immediately Impacts People

Ph.D. student Catherine Doyle talks about her cassava research and its potential impact on a key African plant disease.

Minor in Plant Biology

Graduate students in other degree programs may obtain a Minor in Plant Biology. In order to do this, students must declare the minor to their Director of Graduate Programs, include the minor on their plan of work submitted to the graduate school and complete the following requirements:

• One member of the student’s advisory committee must be a graduate faculty member from the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology.
• Students must complete one of the three (3) required Plant Biology courses: PB 795-003 (Functional Plant Biology), PB 570 (Plant Functional Ecology) or PB 503 (Systematic Botany). Additionally, they must complete six credit hours of PB coursework at or above the 500 level, with a grade of B or above.

Course Catalog

Plant biology, phd.

for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Biology

The Department of Plant Biology offers two graduate degrees, the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy. The department also participates in the interdepartmental graduate program: the Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology .

The Department teaches and conducts foundational research in plant biology. Its focus is integrative. Biological processes are investigated at multiple levels of organization using molecular, biochemical, physiological, morphological, and ecological approaches.

Areas of specialization within the department include:

• biochemistry
• biodiversity
• bioinformatics
• cell biology
• conservation biology
• development
• environmental physiology
• molecular biology
• paleobotany
• paleoecology
• photosynthesis
• phytochemistry
• population biology
• biotechnology
• systems biology
• systematics

Graduate students receive broad biological and professional training and acquire expertise in their areas of specialization.

The Plant Biology Departmental website provides additional information about the department, its admissions procedures, degree requirements, facilities, and the research interests of its faculty.

Admission Prospective students are encouraged to identify faculty member(s) whose research specialty(ies) most closely coincide(s) with their interests and to correspond directly with them. Acceptance to the Doctor of Philosophy graduate program is based on the applicant's academic achievement and research potential. While departmental requirements do not specify particular courses as prerequisites for admission, applicants should have had undergraduate coursework in biology or related sciences. Admission to the graduate program requires an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0). Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (or approved equivalent) are not required but may be submitted to strengthen application package; however no minimum scores are specified for admission. International students should have a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 600 or above on the paper-based test, or 102 or above on the internet-based test (iBT). The IELTS exam is also accepted, and applicants should have a score of 7.0 or higher. 

Facilities and Resources The Plant Biology Department's diverse state-of-the-art research laboratories are located in Morrill Hall, Edward R. Madigan Laboratory, and the Institute for Genomic Biology. In addition, the department maintains extensive plant growth-chamber facilities, environmentally controlled greenhouses, a conservatory with live teaching and research collections, herbaria, a center for paleobotanical collections, and diverse local and remote field sites including  SoyFACE . The University also offers exceptional research support services including the  Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center , service laboratories in the  Institute for Genomic Biology , the  Beckman Institute , and the  University Library , one of the world's largest.

Financial Aid Fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships are available for qualified MS and PhD students in Plant Biology. Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis.

Candidates for the Ph.D. are expected to complete a minimum of 96 hours of graduate coursework and research. A formal evaluation (the Two-Year Review) of the student's academic progress is made prior to the end of the second year of study (end of Stage I). Departmental approval must be obtained at this juncture in order to continue in the graduate program. A Preliminary Examination is taken during the second year (if the student entered with an M.S. degree) or the third year (if the student entered with a B.S. degree) (end of Stage 2). This consists of an oral examination of general knowledge in three of nine broadly-defined areas of plant biology and defense of a written research proposal on the thesis research topic prepared by the student. Experience in teaching is considered a vital part of the graduate program and is required as part of the academic work of all Ph.D. candidates. The final stage (Stage 3) of the program consists of preparing an acceptable thesis based on independent research designed in consultation with a faculty advisor and approved by a graduate faculty thesis committee. A final oral examination, in which the student defends the thesis, a public seminar, and deposit of an approved thesis complete the program. The Ph.D. degree program is expected to be completed within five years. See the Plant Biology Department's online  Graduate Student Handbook  for a detailed description of the Stages and Requirements of the Ph.D. program.

For additional details and requirements, please refer to the Plant Biology Department's online  Graduate Handbook  and the University's  Graduate College Handbook .

Entering with approved M.S./M.A. degree

Other requirements, entering with approved b.s./b.a. degree.

• Design and implement independent research and integrate and apply core knowledge related to their field in 3 approved core areas out of 9 (anatomy, biochemistry, development, ecology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, physiology, and systematics)
• Presentations
• Publications
• Apply rigorous statistics/analytical methods that typify their area of study
• Data management
• Citation management
• Professionalism
• Teaching experience 

Department of Plant Biology Head of the Department: Andrew Leakey Plant Biology website 286 Morrill Hall, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 (217) 333-3261; fax: (217) 244-9952 Plant Biology email:  [email protected]

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PHD, Plant Biology

Plant Biology department offers a broad spectrum of educational and research opportunities in plant and fungal biology. We are committed to providing outstanding scientific research opportunities and the long-term career development of our students.

Degree Type: Doctoral

Degree Program Code: PHD_PBIO

Degree Program Summary:

UGA’s Plant Biology Department is a multidisciplinary program with 25 full-time faculty working on a wide range of research problems in the plant and fungal sciences. We are one of the top ranked plant biology departments in the United States. While the Plant Biology Department is named on the basis of the predominant organisms studied, it has always defined its overall mission broadly to include many disciplinary areas. We are particularly strong in the overlapping areas of molecular genetics, biochemistry and physiology, biology education, cellular and developmental biology, genomics and bioinformatics, systematics, and ecology. A focus on evolutionary principles unites the diverse disciplines within the department. Visit the Research Areas pages to learn more about the breadth of our interests, then visit a faculty member’s individual homepage to learn about his or her specific focal areas.

Degree Awarded: PhD

Degree Code: PHD_PBIO

The Department of Plant Biology offers a graduate program leading to the PhD degree. Program strengths include a very flexible curriculum to meet the needs of individual students, guaranteed stipend funding, professional development opportunities (teaching, grant writing, mentoring, outreach), and a very active Plant Biology Graduate Student Association (PBGSA).

Prospective students should address inquiries to the Graduate Coordinator, Department of Plant Biology. Our Web address is plantbio.uga.edu. Graduate students are eligible for a number of university fellowships and research and teaching assistantships. Interested applicants should apply through the Integrated Plant Sciences program. The deadline for applications is December 1. Students are normally only admitted at the beginning of the fall semester.

Facilities for graduate training in plant biology include greenhouses, growth chambers, field plots, the herbarium, electron microscope laboratory, molecular cytology facility, genomics and bioinformatics facilities, computing facilities, and modern research laboratories. Cooperative arrangements for joint research exist with such off-campus facilities as the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, State Botanical Garden, UGA Marine Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and other regional research centers.

Locations Offered:

Athens (Main Campus)

College / School:

Franklin College of Arts & Sciences

346 Brooks Hall Athens, GA 30602

706-542-8776

Department:

Plant Biology

Graduate Coordinator(s):

Wolfgang Lukowitz

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Plant Biology and Conservation

• MS Degree Requirements
• PhD Degree Requirements

Learn more about the program by visiting the Plant Biology and Conservation Program

See related Interdisciplinary Clusters and Certificates

Degree Types: MS, PhD

The Program in Plant Biology and Conservation focuses on preparing students for future leadership positions in botanical science and plant conservation. In response to growing national and international threats to biodiversity and impending global mass extinctions, the program is designed to train future botanists who have the skills to meet and address this crisis.

Conducted jointly by Northwestern University (NU) and the Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG), the program offers a master of science and doctoral degree through The Graduate School at Northwestern University. Advanced courses are taught by NU professors and CBG scientists in a variety of fields, including conservation biology, genetics, plant and soil ecology, evolution, plant science, environmental science and policy, geology, environmental economics, and anthropology. Many courses offered by CBG are taught at the Garden.

Additional resources:

• Department website
• Program handbook(s)

Program Statistics

Visit Master's Program Statistics and PhD Program Statistics for statistics such as program admissions, enrollment, student demographics and more.

Program Contact

Contact Antonio Benitez Program Assistant

Degree Requirements

The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in  The Graduate School Policy Guide .

Overview of MS Tracks in Plant Biology and Conservation

Total Units Required: 11

Land Management non-thesis MS

Total Units Required: 9

Last Updated: September 12, 2023

Total Units Required: 13

Other PhD Degree Requirements:

• Final Exam:  Oral defense of a written dissertation under the direction of a faculty member and approved by a dissertation committee.

PROGRAM IN PLANT BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION

Assistant Professor of Instruction

Plant Biology and Conservation

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Speaker: Title: "TBD" Speaker: Title: "TBD" This event is planned to be hybrid in the seminar room at the Chicago Botanic Garden. For m...

PBC Seminar PhD Candidate Speakers: Jacquelyn Fitzgerald and Drak...

Speaker: PhD Candidate Jacquelyn Fitzgerald  Title: ""Patterns of Trait Variation in Bumble Bees"" Speaker: Title: "TBD" This event is ...

Invited Speaker Seminar: Dr. Gabriela Nunez-Mir

Speaker: DGabriela Nunez-Mir Title:  "TBD"   This event is planned to be hybrid in the seminar room at the Chicago Botanic Garden. For ...

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Plant Biology Graduate Program

Ph.d. program.

Submitted by rootlet on Thu, 2015-09-10 14:39

A typical schedule for a Ph.D. program candidate is shown below. For a detailed description of the academic requirements, policies, and procedures, see the Ph.D. Requirements page.

Typical Ph.D. Schedule

(please note the change from 2, one-semester rotations to 3 rotations during the academic year, beginning in Fall 2016)

First Semester

• Plant Biology core survey course (PLANTBIO 891B)
• one or two  PB program-related elective courses
• first rotation chosen by week 3 of fall semester 
• Rotation I: Week 3 to end of December
• PB seminars  and discussions

Wintersession

• Rotation II begins: January 1 to Friday before spring break

Second Semester

• Plant Biology core proposal writing course (PB II)
• one or two PB program-related elective courses
• Rotation III: Monday of spring break to end of spring semester
• PB seminars and discussions
• journal club
• Preliminary comprehensive exam (part I): completed with grade of B- or better in PB core courses

Third Semester

• one PB program-related course

Fourth Semester

• form dissertation committee
• Preliminary comprehensive exam (part II) : Complete defense of original research proposal on planned dissertation project

Fifth Semester and after

• Dissertation Prospectus submitted to Graduate School by end of sixth semester (must be at least 7 months prior to defense)
• journal club not required after year four
• PB seminars and discussions every semester

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Berkeley Berkeley Academic Guide: Academic Guide 2023-24

Plant biology.

About the Program

The Graduate Program in Plant Biology is designed to train students in modern research areas of plant biology. Students' courses of study are designed individually, in light of their interests and career goals. The graduate program features an introductory seminar (Faculty Research Review), six five-week core course modules, and additional special topic courses and seminars in areas of faculty specialties. The department has research expertise in the following areas: molecular, cellular, genetic, biochemical, physiological, developmental, and structural biology, and plant-microbe interactions. The core courses cover plant developmental genetics, genomics and computational biology, plant diversity and evolution, plant cell biology, plant biochemistry, and plant systems biology.

Visit Department Website

Admission to the University

Applying for graduate admission.

Thank you for considering UC Berkeley for graduate study! UC Berkeley offers more than 120 graduate programs representing the breadth and depth of interdisciplinary scholarship. A complete list of graduate academic departments, degrees offered, and application deadlines can be found on the Graduate Division website .

Prospective students must submit an online application to be considered for admission, in addition to any supplemental materials specific to the program for which they are applying. The online application can be found on the Graduate Division website .

Admission Requirements

The minimum graduate admission requirements are:

A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;

A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and

Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field.

For a list of requirements to complete your graduate application, please see the Graduate Division’s Admissions Requirements page . It is also important to check with the program or department of interest, as they may have additional requirements specific to their program of study and degree. Department contact information can be found here .

Where to apply?

Visit the Berkeley Graduate Division application page .

Admission to the Program

Prospective students for the graduate program in plant biology are expected to demonstrate academic excellence and potential for independent scientific research. Students are expected to have a basic background in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology equivalent to those in the undergraduate program. An admissions committee composed of nine to ten members of the department will review applications and make recommendations to the full department on admissions matters. Recommendations for admission will be based on a demonstration of academic excellence and potential for independent scientific research as shown by grades in university-level undergraduate and graduate courses, letters of recommendation, written statements of academic and professional goals, and other evidence of academic accomplishment. 

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Normative time requirements, normative time to advancement.

Normative time to advancement to PhD candidacy is two years.

Year 1 Students perform three laboratory rotations in order to explore areas of research interest and identify a faculty mentor, dissertation project, and laboratory. Students undertake required core classes and attend seminars of interest.

Year 2 Students attend seminars, enroll in core courses, perform their first teaching assignment, and prepare for the PhD qualifying exam which consists of two research proposals and an oral examination. With the successful passing of the qualifying exam, students select a dissertation committee and advance to candidacy for the PhD degree prior to the start of the fifth  semester.

Normative Time in Candidacy 

Years 3–5/5.5 Students attend seminars of interest and perform their second teaching assignment. Students conduct original laboratory research for the PhD dissertation with the guidance of their faculty mentor and a self-selected 3 to 4 person dissertation committee. Students are required to meet annually with the dissertation committee. Students write the dissertation based on the results of their research. Upon approval of the dissertation by the dissertation committee and Graduate Division, students are awarded the doctorate. There is no formal defense of the completed dissertation; however, students are required to publicly present a talk about their research in the final year.

Total Normative Time

Total normative time to degree is 5–5.5 years.

Time to Advancement

Professional development, research presentations.

All plant biology graduate students are strongly encouraged to present their research annually from the third year and beyond in a public forum. Graduate students attend the Plant and Microbial Biology (PMB) department retreat at least once during their graduate studies. Students are encouraged to attend both the Plant and Microbial Biology department retreat and the Graduate Group in Microbiology retreat and present their research. Students are highly encouraged to present during the PMB department student/post-doc seminar series. They are also encouraged to attend national and international conferences to present research. 

Plant biology graduate students are required to teach two semesters. Students are required to teach in two distinctly different classroom settings; specifically, teaching in a large enrollment course (100+) and a small upper division, lab, or low enrollment (< 100) course.

Grant Writing

Students are encouraged to take PLANTBI 297 , Grant Writing and Research Presentation.

PLANTBI 200A Plant Developmental Genetics 1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 The students will be provided with both the basic framework and current topics of plant developmental genetics. Plant Developmental Genetics: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Four hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for five weeks.

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate

Grading: Letter grade.

Instructor: Hake

Plant Developmental Genetics: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 200B Genomics and Computational Biology 1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Principles of computational and genomic biology. Covers evolutionary, algorithmic, and statistical foundations of sequence analysis, allowing students to understand concepts underlying modern computational methods. Practical applications wil be pursued in student-coordinated sessions. Combined lecture with 220B. Genomics and Computational Biology: Read More [+]

Instructor: Freeling

Genomics and Computational Biology: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 200C Plant Diversity and Evolution 1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 This course will introduce the students to the diversity of plant form and function and provide them with a basic understanding of the tools and techniques used to study plant diversification and evolution. Molecular and morphological data will be discussed and plant diversity will be introduced at molecular, population, organismal, and ecological levels. Plant Diversity and Evolution: Read More [+]

Instructor: Blackman

Plant Diversity and Evolution: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 200D Plant Cell Biology 1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 The course will describe the conceptual framework of plant cell biology followed by in-depth discussion of several active areas of research including cell wall biology, membrane transport, cellular trafficking, and cell signaling. Plant Cell Biology: Read More [+]

Instructor: Luan

Plant Cell Biology: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 200E Plant Biochemistry 1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Fall 2021, Spring 2021 The aim of this course is to augment the student's knowledge of key plant-specific (or particularly relevant) biochemical processes focusing on the underlying experiments used to deduce key cycles coupled with current areas of exploration and debate surrounding a given topic area. In addition, this section will broaden and deepen the student's knowledge of biochemistry in general including basic enzyme kinetics, assessment of enzymatic (biochemical) function, and modes of regulation. Plant Biochemistry: Read More [+]

Instructor: Scheller

Plant Biochemistry: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 200F Plant-Environment Interactions 1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 Students will be provided with both the historical framework and current topics in the molecular mechanisms underlying plant dynamic responses to external signals and stresses. Plant-Environment Interactions: Read More [+]

Instructor: Harmon

Plant-Environment Interactions: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 201 Faculty Research Review 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Presentation and discussion of faculty research in the areas of plant and microbial biology. Faculty speakers review recent advances in their area of expertise and present an outlook of current research activities in their laboratories. The format of the class is designed to stimulate a dialogue between instructor and students in the course of each presentation. Faculty Research Review: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.

Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.

Faculty Research Review: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 202 Faculty Research Review 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Presentation and discussion of faculty research in the area of microbial biology. Faculty speakers review recent advances in their area of expertise and present an outlook of current research activities in their laboratories. The format of the class is designed to stimulate a dialogue between instructor and students in the course of each presentation. Faculty Research Review: Read More [+]

PLANTBI 205A Introduction to Research 2 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Closely supervised experimental work under the direction of an individual faculty member; an introduction to experimental methods and research approaches in particular areas of plant and microbial biology. Introduction to Research: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-12 hours of independent study per week

Additional Format: Two to twelve hours of independent study per week.

Grading: Letter grade. This is part one of a year long series course. A provisional grade of IP (in progress) will be applied and later replaced with the final grade after completing part two of the series.

Introduction to Research: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 205B Introduction to Research 2 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 Closely supervised experimental work under the direction of an individual faculty member; an introduction to experimental methods and research approaches in particular areas of plant and microbial biology. Introduction to Research: Read More [+]

Grading: Letter grade. This is part two of a year long series course. Upon completion, the final grade will be applied to both parts of the series.

PLANTBI 210 Scientific Reasoning and Logic 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Fall 2021 The objectives of this class are to teach students to critically read and interpret scientific papers. Students will read and discuss strongly and poorly reasoned papers. At the end of the class the student should understand the logic and reasoning which make a paper strong, often classic, contribution. Scientific Reasoning and Logic: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture per week

Additional Format: One hour of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.

Instructor: Quail

Scientific Reasoning and Logic: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI C216 Microbial Diversity Workshop 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020 This workshop for graduate students will parallel C116, Microbial Diversity, which should be taken concurrently. Emphasis in the workshop will be on review of research literature and formulation of paper pertinent to research in microbial diversity. Microbial Diversity Workshop: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Graduate standing; C112 or consent of instructor and organic chemistry (may be taken concurrently)

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of workshop and 1 hour of discussion per week

Additional Format: One hour of Workshop and One hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.

Instructor: Coates

Formerly known as: Molecular and Cell Biology C216, Plant and Microbial Biology C216

Also listed as: MCELLBI C216

Microbial Diversity Workshop: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 220A Microbial Genetics 1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 The students will learn fundamental principles and advanced techniques in microbial genetics. The use of genetics in deducing biochemical pathways, protein interactions, and signal transduction pathways will be explores through reading and discussion of current and classic papers from the primary literature. Experimental design and interpretation will be the focus of problem sets solved in student-coordinated sessions. Microbial Genetics: Read More [+]

Instructor: Taga

Microbial Genetics: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 220B Genomics and Computational Biology 1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Principles of computational and genomic biology. Covers evolutionary, algorithmic, and statistical foundations of sequence analysis, allowing students to understand concepts underlying modern computational methods. Practical applications will be pursued in student-coordinated sessions. Combined lecture with 200B. Genomics and Computational Biology: Read More [+]

Instructor: Grigoriev

PLANTBI 220C Microbial Diversity and Evolution 1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 The students will be provided with both the basic framework and current topics of microbial diversity and evolution. Microbial Diversity and Evolution: Read More [+]

Instructor: Brem

Microbial Diversity and Evolution: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 220D Cell Structure and Function 1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Fall 2022 The students will be provided with both the basic framework and current topics of cell structure and function. Cell Structure and Function: Read More [+]

Instructor: Komeili

Cell Structure and Function: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 220E Microbial Physiology 1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 The students will be provided with both the basic framework and current topics of microbial physiology. Microbial Physiology: Read More [+]

Microbial Physiology: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 220F Microbial Ecology 1.5 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 The students will be provided with both the basic framework and current topics of microbial ecology. Microbial Ecology: Read More [+]

Instructor: Lindow

Microbial Ecology: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 222 Biochemistry of Biofuels: Concepts and Foundations 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013 This course offers a consideration of genes, enzymes, metabolic pathways and biochemical processes leading to the generation of hydrogen, bio-oils, ethanol, and other biofuels. Discussion of biochemistry is extended to cover product yields and techno-economic analyses of commercial viability of the various biofuel products. Lectures are based on historical and contemporary papers in plant and microbial biochemistry, integrating structure , function and evolution of the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels, and discussing how this knowledge can be applied in the generation of renewable biofuels. Biochemistry of Biofuels: Concepts and Foundations: Read More [+]

Instructor: Melis

Biochemistry of Biofuels: Concepts and Foundations: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI C224 The Berkeley Lectures on Energy: Energy from Biomass 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013 After an introduction to the different aspects of our global energy consumption, the course will focus on the role of biomass. The course will illustrate how the global scale of energy guides the biomass research. Emphasis will be places on the integration of the biological aspects (crop selection, harvesting, storage, and distribution, and chemical composition of biomass) with the chemical aspects to convert biomass to energy. The course aims to engage students in state-of-art research. The Berkeley Lectures on Energy: Energy from Biomass: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Biology 1A; Chemistry 1B or 4B, Mathematics 1B

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit under special circumstances: Repeatable when topic changes with consent of instructor.

Instructors: Bell, Blanch, Clark, Smit, C. Somerville

Also listed as: BIO ENG C281/CHEM C238/CHM ENG C295A

The Berkeley Lectures on Energy: Energy from Biomass: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 238 Readings in Environmental Microbiology 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2014, Spring 2014, Fall 2013 Special Topics and Advanced Seminars in Plant Pathology. Seminar/discussion by graduate students of current research in the field of plant pathogenic bacteria. Readings in Environmental Microbiology: Read More [+]

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of discussion per week

Additional Format: One hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.

Formerly known as: Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 238A

Readings in Environmental Microbiology: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI C277 Communicating Quantitative Information 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Spring 2020, Spring 2019 This course will cover several aspects of communicating quantitative information, with a primary focus on visualizations for publications, presentations, and posters. Other topics include sharing of data and analyses, such as new publication models and interactive notebooks, as well as lifecycle data management and publication. Primary discussion will be on conceptual issues, and students will be expected to use various systems and resources as self-directed homestudy. Communicating Quantitative Information: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1.5 hours of seminar and 1.5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: One and one-half hours of discussion and one and one-half hours of seminar per week.

Instructor: Brenner

Also listed as: MCELLBI C277

Communicating Quantitative Information: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 290 Seminar 1 - 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Advanced study in various fields of plant biology and microbial biology. Topics will be announced in advance of each semester. Enrollment in more than one section permitted. Seminar: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 8 weeks - 2-4 hours of seminar per week 15 weeks - 1-2 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: One to two hours of seminar per week. Two to four hours of seminar per week for 8 weeks.

Seminar: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 292 Research Review in Plant and Microbial Biology 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Lectures, reports, and discussions on current research in plant and microbial biology. Sections are operated independently and directed toward different topics. Research Review in Plant and Microbial Biology: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Open to properly qualified graduate students with consent of instructor

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: Two hours of seminar per week.

Research Review in Plant and Microbial Biology: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 296 Graduate Supervised Independent Study 1 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Graduate student independent study under the supervision of a faculty member. Sections are operated independently and directed toward different topics. Graduate Supervised Independent Study: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Graduate standing

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-12 hours of independent study per week

Summer: 6 weeks - 2.5-30 hours of independent study per week 8 weeks - 1.5-22.5 hours of independent study per week

Additional Format: Three hours of independent study per week per unit.

Graduate Supervised Independent Study: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 297 Grant Writing and Research Presentations 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 Each student will write a grant proposal in three steps: a one page outline, a three-page pre-proposal, and a complete 10-page grant proposal. There will be feedback at each step in the process -- each participant will review the other grant proposals. Some of the scheduled classes will include discussion of the outlines and pre-proposals, and the last class will be organized as a grant panel, with students assigned as primary and secondary reviewers. Grant Writing and Research Presentations: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Two hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.

Instructor: McCormick

Grant Writing and Research Presentations: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 298 Plant Biology Group Studies 1 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Advanced study of research topics which will vary semester to semester. Enrollment in more than one section permitted. Plant Biology Group Studies: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-6 hours of colloquium per week

Additional Format: One to six hours of colloquium per week.

Grading: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.

Plant Biology Group Studies: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 299 Graduate Research 1 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Spring 2024 Graduate student research. Graduate Research: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week

Summer: 6 weeks - 1-12 hours of independent study per week 8 weeks - 1-12 hours of independent study per week

Additional Format: Three hours of research/laboratory per week per unit.

Graduate Research: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 375 Workshop on Teaching 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2020, Fall 2019, Fall 2018 Designed for all graduate students. This course has two goals: discussion of questions and problems relating to the GSI's teaching, and learning how to design and execute a whole course. Effective teaching methods will be introduced by experienced GSIs and faculty. Students will participate in reciprocal classroom visits, visitation and critique of faculty lectures, course design, lecture preparation, sample lecture presentation, and discussion of current literature on teaching. Workshop on Teaching: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Graduate student status

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit up to a total of 4 units.

Additional Format: Two hours of lecture/discussion per week.

Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers

Instructors: Fischer, Kerfeld

Workshop on Teaching: Read Less [-]

PLANTBI 602 Individual Study for Graduate Students 1 - 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Individual study in consultation with the major field advisor, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare for examinations required of Ph.D. candidates Individual Study for Graduate Students: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and instructor consent

Credit Restrictions: Course does not satisfy unit or residence requirements for doctoral degree.

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit with instructor consent.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-2 hours of independent study per week

Summer: 6 weeks - 1-2 hours of independent study per week 8 weeks - 1-2 hours of independent study per week

Additional Format: One to two hours of independent study per week. One to two hours of independent study per week for 8 weeks. One to two hours of independent study per week for 6 weeks.

Subject/Course Level: Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate examination preparation

Individual Study for Graduate Students: Read Less [-]

Contact Information

Department of plant and microbial biology.

111 Koshland Hall

Phone: 510-642-9999

Chair, Plant & Microbial Biology

Sheng Luan, PhD

Phone: 510-642-6306

[email protected]

Associate Chair

Britt Glaunsinger, PhD

[email protected]

Head Graduate Advisor

Arash Komeili

Phone: 642-4995

[email protected]

Graduate Adviser

Phone: 510-642-5167

[email protected]

Department Manager

Joanne Straley

Phone: 510-642-4080

[email protected]

Print Options

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College of Biological Sciences

Department of Plant Biology

The Department of Plant Biology is the central hub on campus for pioneering research on plants. The department mission is to comprehensively understand fundamental plant biological processes and develop real-world applications in agriculture and biotechnology. The department specializes in three main research areas: plant developmental biology and physiology, plant-environment and inter-organismal interactions, and plant biochemistry and metabolism. Faculty explore diverse organisms, ranging from algae to higher plants including many major food and bioenergy crops. In addition to employing classical genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology, our faculty include experts in cutting-edge omics, systems and synthetic biology, imaging, X-ray crystallography and single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). We integrate these approaches to address various fundamental questions in plant biology and translate the knowledge to make advancements in crop improvement, natural product engineering, and other bio-based technologies. 

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate programs.

CBS Graduate Groups

Faculty in the department participate in one or more of the college’s eight interdisciplinary graduate groups, which range widely in topic, opportunity and faculty expertise, and offer graduate students an immersive, highly collaborative graduate experience. 

Botanical Conservatory

The Botanical Conservatory, founded in 1959, is a 3,600 square-foot complex north of Storer Hall that serves as an educational facility, research resource, and genetic diversity preserve, housing over 4,000 plant species from around the world.

Controlled Environment Facility

The department's controlled environment facilities are specialized spaces that allow researchers to precisely regulate temperature, humidity, light, and airflow to support research work with a variety of plants and other organisms.

Research Greenhouses

The department's research greenhouses encompass a diverse array of 22 greenhouses, a screenhouse, and 13,000 square feet of field space. These facilities support research on various plant species.

Teaching Greenhouses

The teaching greenhouse atop Katherine Esau Science Hall is an innovative facility where faculty and students conduct research, nurture plants, and explore cutting-edge techniques to enhance crop abundance, nutrition, and plant resilience.

Lomonosov Moscow State University

Preparatory course (pre-university programme).

• Duration of study: March 2024 – July 2025.
• Holidays: July – August 2024.
• Start date: 1 March – 30 March 2024.
• Exams: June 2025.
• Tuition: $8900.
• The level of Russian: Beginner.
• Duration of study: September/October 2024 – July 2025.
• Start date: September – October.
• Tuition: $7000.
• The level of Russian: All levels.

• 1 BUSINESS SCHOOL
• 2 FACULTY OF BIOENGINEERING AND BIOINFORMATICS
• 3 FACULTY OF BIOLOGY
• 4 FACULTY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
• 5 FACULTY OF CHEMISTRY
• 6 FACULTY OF COMPUTATIONAL MATHEMATICS AND CYBERNETICS
• 7 FACULTY OF EDUCATIONAL STUDIES
• 8 FACULTY OF ECONOMICS
• 9 FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
• 10 FACULTY OF FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS
• 11 FACULTY OF FUNDAMENTAL MEDICINE
• 12 FACULTY OF FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL ENGENEERING
• 13 FACULTY OF GEOLOGY
• 14 FACULTY OF GEOGRAPHY
• 15 FACULTY OF HISTORY
• 16 FACULTY OF JOURNALISM
• 17 FACULTY OF LAW
• 18 FACULTY OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
• 19 FACULTY OF MECHANICS AND MATHEMATICS
• 20 FACULTY OF PHYSICS
• 21 FACULTY OF PHILOLOGY
• 22 FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY
• 23 FACULTY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
• 24 FACULTY OF SOCIOLOGY
• 25 FACULTY OF WORLD POLITICS
• 26 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF INNOVATIVE BUSINESS
• 27 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND INNOVATION
• 28 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC ADMINIASTRATION
• 29 HIGHER SCHOOL OF MODERN SOCIAL SCIENCES
• 30 HIGHER SCHOOL OF POLICY IN CULTURE AND ADMINISTRATION IN HUMANITIES
• 31 HIGHER SCHOOL OF STATE AUDIT
• 32 HIGHER SCHOOL OF TRANSLATION/INTERPRETING
• 33 HIGHER SCHOOL OF TELEVISION STUDIES
• 34 INSTITUTE OF ASIAN AND AFRICAN STUDIES
• 35 MOSCOW SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
• 36 SOIL SCIENCE FACULTY
• Admission procedure

Admission office: +7 969 2834820 [email protected]

Postgraduate Programs

MBBS in Russia | MBBS in Moscow | Study Postgraduate Programs in Russia | Study in Moscow | Postgraduate Education in Russia | Education in Moscow | Postgraduate Programs Fee in I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | Study Postgraduate Programs in I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | About Postgraduate Programs in I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | Postgraduate Programs Tuition Fee in I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | PostGraduate of in I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University

Sechenov University provides Master’s, Ph.D. degree programs. Below is the list of the Master and PhD programs delievered in English:

Master programmes

•   ● Public Health
•   ● Oncology
•   ● Orthopedics and Traumatology
•   ● Otorhinolaryngology
•   ● Ophthalmology
•   ● Thoracic Surgery and Pulmonology
•   ● Urology
•   ● Radial Diagnostics
•   ● Forensic Medical Examination
•   ● Cardiology and Functional Diagnostics
•   ● Infectious Diseases
•   ● Medicine of Accidents
•   ● Medicine of Emergency Conditions
•   ● Neurology and Reflexotherapy
•   ● General Practice-Family Medicine
•   ● Therapy and Geriatrics
•   ● Surgery and Proctology
•   ● Physiology and Pulmonology
•   ● Obstetrics and Gynecology

PhD programmes

•   ● General Medicine
•   ● Dentistry
•   ● Pediatrics
•   ● Pharmacy, Industrial Pharmacy
•   ● Medical Laboratory Science
•   ● Medical Diagnostics and Treatment Technologies
•   ● Health Ecology
•   ● Nursing
•   ● Medical Psychology
•   ● Physiotherapy
•   ● Medical Biology
•   ● Chemical Science
•   ● Biological Science
•   ● Fundamental Medicine
•   ● Clinical Medicine (GM profile)
•   ● Clinical Medicine (Pediatrics profile)
•   ● Clinical Medicine (Dentistry profile)
•   ● Preventive Medicine
•   ● Pharmacy

Admission is open

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• Apply online
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Admission 2021-2022 is open now. Join to thousands of happy students in First Moscow State Medical University

Admission Office

Admission office for international students.

Adfress: 119991, Moscow, Trubetskaya street, house 8, building 2, Russia

Phone: +7 (969) 283-48-20

Email: [email protected]

Season’s Greetings from Sechenov University

University News | Student life in Russia | Student life in Moscow | News and events in Russia | News and events in Moscow | Study in Russia | Study in Moscow | Education in Russia | Education in Moscow | Study abroad in Russia | International students life abroad | Study abroad in Russia…

Sechenov University Maintained its Position in the 5-100 Project

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Philadelphia Campus

• Offered in partnership with The Wistar Institute.
• Prepares graduates for careers  in academic, government or industrial research.
• Equips students to succeed in a multidisciplinary environment.

PhD in Cancer Biology

The PhD in Cancer Biology program at PCOM is focused on understanding the biological and molecular basis of cancer initiation and progression with an emphasis on the process of drug discovery and therapeutic development.

Offered in partnership with The Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center at The Wistar Institute , the nation’s first independent institution devoted to biomedical research and training, the PhD in Cancer Biology prepares graduates for careers in cancer biology or drug development. Students will have access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment. Additionally, students will participate in a cancer biology journal club where they will have the opportunity to discuss current research in molecular oncology, cancer genetics and more.

As a student in the PhD in Cancer Biology program, you will:

• gain further understanding of the fundamental cellular process of cancer;
• learn to successfully collaborate with others in a multidisciplinary environment;
• develop effective work habits including the time management and organizational skills critical for career success;
• apply clinical and translational research to human cancer studies; and
• prepare for careers in academic, government or industrial research.

About the PhD in Cancer Biology Program

The PhD in Cancer Biology program is designed to be completed in 5-7 years of full-time study. The program is offered on PCOM's main campus in Philadelphia, PA and requires 99-121 credit hours to complete. All full-time students will receive a full scholarship, health insurance through PCOM and a stipend while they are in the program. 

PhD in Cancer Biology Career Options

Graduates of our PhD program may choose to pursue careers in academia or the corporate sector. Potential career options include:

• Principal investigator
• Bench scientist
• Faculty research or teaching positions
• Drug development
• Postdoctoral fellow
• Clinical research coordinator
• Health educator
• Clinical investigator
• Science policy, management and administration

In the first year of the program, students will take classes in biostatistics, vaccine and immune therapeutics, the molecular basis of medicine, medical pharmacology and physiology at PCOM and will do lab rotations and participate in a cancer biology journal club at The Wistar Institute.

Year two classes include cancer biology and bioinformatics. Students will continue pre-doctoral research and participation in the journal club at The Wistar Institute.

Beginning in the third year, students will focus exclusively on their doctoral research.

Application Process and Requirements

Visit our application requirements page to learn about course prerequisites, program requirements, the application process and more for the PhD in Cancer Biology program.

For more information, please contact:

PCOM Office of Admissions Email: [email protected] Phone: 215-871-6700 | Fax: 215-872-6719

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