Plant Science and Landscape ArchitectureThe Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture directs the graduate program in Plant Science. The program offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Candidates in Plant Science may specialize in Breeding and Genetic Engineering, Crop Management and Protection, Ecology, Environmental Physiology or Physiology and Molecular Biology.
Soil Science graduate programs specializing in Biology and Ecology of Soils, Bioremediation, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Fertility and Nutrient Management, Land Management and Conservation, Mineralogy, Pedology or Physics are now part of the Department of Environmental Science and Technology. Please visit their website for more information on their programs.
The faculty's graduate philosophy is summarized in the following statements:
For success in a Master's program, knowledge , both general and detailed, must be combined with originality, reliability, and industry. A well written thesis should foster scholarly interest and demonstrate knowledge of the tools and techniques necessary for research and the ability to integrate new and existing methods.
The Ph.D. degree is the highest degree conferred by the University. It is a degree in philosophy and is not a technical degree. A candidate is expected to develop an awareness of the relationship between his/her expertise and society. Required course work is one means of acquiring the broad based knowledge fundamental to establishing one's own philosophy. The dissertation should demonstrate a candidate's acumen for pursuing the scientific method; illustrating the difference between observations and hypothesis, between answering questions and testing hypotheses, and between opinion and truth.
The objectives of the graduate programs in Plant Science are:
- To assist students in developing an understanding of plant sciences and plant-soil environment relationships sufficient to allow them to make positive professional contributions to agricultural and horticultural field crop improvement and production; land and water resource management; and management of turfgrass, nursery plants and urban landscapes.
- To provide students with skills in analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative information; using inductive and deductive reasoning; and communicating in both verbal and written form.
- To develop students who have the education and skills to provide societal leadership in the area of sustainable natural resource and plant production systems.
The Department's main strength is an experienced faculty who have been recognized for their teaching and research excellence. The graduate program benefits from the research expertise and focus of the faculty as they strive to meet the Department's land-grant mandate to conduct basic and applied research on the impacts of agricultural and urbanization activities on environmental quality issues.
The Department's aspiration is to strengthen our position as one of the leading plant and soil science research and graduate training programs in the country. Our current research and. extension programs have made major contributions in nutrient management and water quality issues as related to the Chesapeake Bay initiative. Basic and applied research in the Department will continue to focus on the agricultural- environmental interface. The Department's research expertise and focus are clearly in agreement with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources' strategic plan to emphasize "environmental issues" and "sustaining and strengthening agriculture in an increasingly urbanized state".
The Department's goal of being a national leader in plant and soil sciences, focused on environmental issues unique to our location, fits within the University's strategic plan to develop programs of excellence in graduate education and research. By focusing our graduate research and teaching in sustainable natural resource and plant production systems, we can continue to make important contributions to expand basic knowledge and serve the professional community. This is especially true since the concept of our University's land-grant mission is to address problems of citizens in the state of Maryland even though our efforts frequently have regional, national, and international significance.
Download the 28 page Graduate Program Handbook in PDF format (152kb). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. If you would like more information about the Graduate Program, please contact the PSLA Graduate Coordinator at pslagc@umd.edu.
