Plant Breeding is the genetic improvement of crop plants through the study and application of genetics, statistics, agronomy, plant pathology, entomology, and related sciences.
- Maize
- Soybean
- Sorghum
- Sunflower
- Other crops in conjunction with the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station.
An advanced degree in plant breeding offers tremendous job opportunity:
- Management and operation of public and private plant breeding programs
- Research on plant breeding methodologies, bio-technologies, and information technologies to improve breeding efficiency and effectiveness
- Cultivar development
Learning Goals that students in this program are expected to meet include:
- Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of scholarly literature in the area of study, i.e., plant breeding.
- Form testable hypotheses and articulate research objectives that, when met, will lead to significant contributions to the field of study.
- Conduct original research via appropriate data acquisition, analysis, and reporting of data.
- Interpret research results appropriately, integrating them into the existing knowledge in the discipline.
- Clearly and accurately communicate research findings orally and in writing, and appropriate use of display items (tables, figures, and other appropriate types of presentation), electronic or other forms of media.
- Conduct scholarship, in teams or with independence, in ways that consistently demonstrate ethical practice and professionalism.
