Doctor of Philosophy in Horticultural Sciences- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Plant physiology and biochemistry make up the backbone of successful horticultural production, and our plant physiology/biochemistry research programs cover a range of areas from whole-plant physiology to plant metabolism and enzymology. Collaborations with faculty in several departments university-wide showcase integrated research projects that address important issues in plant physiology and biochemistry.

The Horticultural Sciences (HOS) graduate program is administered jointly by the Environmental Horticulture (HSE) and Horticultural Sciences (HS) departments and offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (thesis or nonthesis options) and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The Department offers a combined bachelor's/master's degree program. Contact the graduate coordinator for information. Members of the program's Graduate Faculty include department resident faculty and faculty at University of Florida Research and Education Centers located throughout Florida. The Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree and is granted on evidence of general proficiency, distinctive attainment in a special field, and ability to conduct independent investigation as demonstrated in a dissertation presenting original research with a high degree of literary skill. Consequently, doctoral programs are more flexible and varied than those leading to M.S. degree programs. The Ph.D. degree requires at least 90 credits beyond the bachelor's degree, although specific course requirements vary from field to field and from student to student. Up to 30 credits of master's degree may be transferred to a doctoral program. Any credits counted from an M.S. degree program must have been earned within the previous seven years (or by petition). The Graduate Council does not specify the courses required for the Ph.D. degree.

APPLICANTS MUST HAVE

A strong background in horticulture, biology, agronomy, or other life science.
A sponsoring faculty member in the Horticultural Sciences Department. Applicants should contact faculty doing research in the applicant's area of interest (see Research Programs) and inquire about the availability of resources.
A score above the minimum in one of the following English language competency exams (if native language is not English).
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): internet-based 80/ electronic 213 /paper 550.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 6.
MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): 77.
Applicants with a bachelor's degree only, a minimum grade point average of B (3.0), calculated from all grades and credits after the semester where the applicant reached 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours is required.