Dept. of Plant Path. > Graduate Programs

> Admission Requirements

Admission to the graduate program is competitive. The admission requirements are summarized here.

BS or BA from an accredited institution is required. Majors in biology, including plant biology- or microbiology-related disciplines, will often meet the foundation requirements. Highly qualified students from all majors who are willing to remedy deficiencies after enrollment are encouraged to apply. International applicants must have a degree comparable to an approved U.S. BS/BA and quality of work high enough to warrant admission.
Foundation requirements are basic science courses, usually completed prior to entering graduate school. If foundation course requirements have not been fulfilled beforehand, they must be completed as early as possible in the graduate student's course of study.
- Biological sciences: courses in three of the four areas: Genetics, Structure of Organisms, Function of Organisms, Ecology; and an introductory-level course in Plant Pathology.
- Physics: equivalent to two semesters, including electricity and light.
- Chemistry: General Chemistry, two semesters; Organic Chemistry, one semester including laboratory; Biochemistry, one semester at the upper undergraduate level.
- Mathematics: introductory Calculus, including both differential and integral calculus. Statistics including analysis of variance and regression analysis, is recommended.
Grade point average (GPA) must be at least 3.0 on a 4.00 scale.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required. The subject test is not required.
Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). An admitted applicant whose TOEFL (paper-based) test score is below 580; TOEFL computer-based test (CBT) score below 237; or MELAB below 82 must take an English assessment test upon arrival.
Research experience. Although it is not an entrance requirement, students are rarely offered admission without prior research experience. Letters of recommendation from research advisors are one of the most useful tools for evaluating applications.
International applicants must have evidence of adequate financial resources for the anticipated duration of their program and meet all requirements of the INS. We will request this information from you after a favorable admission decision.

Admission is ultimately determined by the Graduate School, but no student is admitted without a favorable recommendation by the Department. In general, the Departmental requirements meet or exceed those of the Graduate School, detailed in the Graduate School Catalog.