The Interdepartmental Plant Biology Major (IPBM), previously Interdepartmental Plant Physiology Major (IPPM),
educates scientists in basic plant biology, including but not limiting to plant molecular biology, plant cell biology, plant
physiology, and plant organismal biology and provides training in the most state of the art methods and technologies.
Graduate study in IPBM, leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees, is offered through seven participating departments:
Agronomy,
Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology (BBMB),
Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE),
Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology (EEOB),
Genetics Development & Cell Biology (GDCB),
Horticulture, and
Plant Pathology.
Research conducted by the faculty and students of the major
represents basic plant biology. The experimental
approaches represented in the major span the range of complexity from molecular
studies, to cellular, organismal and the ecological level (crop monocultures and
natural populations). Although IPBM graduate students are themselves involved in
basic plant biology research, the research focus of the faculty in the major includes
both basic and applied approaches. This mix of basic and practical research orientations
helps foster a stimulating environment for graduate training.
Program Contact
Simi Venkatagiri, Program Coordinator
Interdepartmental Plant Biology Major
207 Science I
Iowa University
Ames IA 50011-3211, USA
Phone 515-294-9052
Fax 515-294-6019
Email ipbm@iastate.edu
Director of Graduate Education (2008-2009)
Dr. Kan Wang (Agron)
G405 Agronomy
Iowa University
Ames IA 50011-1010, USA
Phone 515-294-4429
Email kanwang@iastate.edu
Supervisory Committee (2008-2009)
Kan Wang (Chair), Agron
David Hannapel (interim associate chair), Hort
Madan Bhattacharyya, Agron
Martha James, BBMB
Steve Whitham, Plant Path
Robert Thornburg (ex officio), BBMB