Plant pathology
Master of Science
Explore interactions between plants and microbes
Plant pathologists keep plants healthy. Gain skills to understand organisms and agents that cause disease and discover how plants grow and how disease affects them. This program focuses on the biology and ecology involved in keeping plants healthy. You will learn about plant diseases, nematodes and bugs that threaten plants as well as what plants do to persevere.
Use modern scientific equipment and techniques to find out how pathogens attack plants and understand the effects of environmental conditions on disease development. Much of your learning will take place at plant science farms across the state, in climate-controlled greenhouses or in laboratories where you will conduct independent research alongside leading faculty field experts.
Highlights from the M.S. plant pathology degree include:
- Conduct independent research alongside leading faculty field experts.
- Learn at plant science farms across the state.
- Work in climate-controlled greenhouses and laboratories.
- Earn an in-demand degree, with nearly 100% job placement.
Overview
Related Topics
Dive into the world of plants and prevent disease
Application information
Applicants for the M.S. in plant pathology must meet the degree-specific admission requirements below:
- Education level: Bachelor’s
- GPA: 3.0
- GRE: No
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
- Number of references: Three
- Other requirements: The plant pathology program encourages pre-approval from a program faculty member before applying.
Program availability:
Concentration: thesis
Semester intake: Fall and Spring
- Eligible for international admission
Deadlines: general application deadlines
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Contact information
Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology contact: Mark Schwarzlaender (markschw@uidaho.edu)
Graduate Admissions contact: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4001
Find Entomology, plant pathology and nematology faculty advisor contacts
Costs, funding and research
To learn about various ways to fund your graduate degree, check out Graduate Funding.
For detailed information about the cost of attendance, visit Financial Aid.
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Have an undergrad degree in agriculture, biology, botany, horticulture, environmental science, plant science, natural resources or a related field.
- Want to lead lab or field research.
- Think critically and creatively about complex problems.
- Want to protect the environment, grow healthy crops and create an adequate food supply.
Real-world experience
- Manage on-campus computer-controlled greenhouses and laboratories
- Conduct research at U of I and Washington State University facilities
- Partner with the William F. Barr Entomological Museum
- Assist faculty members’ research projects
Related clubs and organizations
- Plant and Soil Science Club
- Soil Stewards Club
- Aldrich Entomology Club
- Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)
Career outcomes
Current job openings
2,293 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Agricultural Managers
$36,068 - Animal Scientists
$70,282 - Soil and Plant Scientists
$79,666 - Conservation Scientists • Range Managers
$76,552 - Postsecondary Agricultural Sciences Teachers • Postsecondary Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers
$82,694
* Career data provided by Lightcast.