The MSc and PhD programs in the Department of Plant Agriculture offer specialization in four broad fields of the Plant Sciences:

1. Plant Breeding and Genetics has long been a key focus of our faculty and students. Through breeding and biotechnology, Guelph researchers help society by developing new field-crop, fruit, ornamental and vegetable cultivars that are grown in Canada and worldwide. Also, Plant Agriculture faculty and students seek both to understand the fundamental mechanisms that enable plant improvements and to discover novel methodologies and technologies that will be the foundation for future advances.
2. Plant Biochemistry and Physiology is a broad discipline. Faculty and students in this area study the response of plants to environmental change and plant development at the ecosystem, whole plant, and molecular levels. Students investigate ecologically friendly management strategies, study underlying molecular and biochemical mechanisms that regulate plant development, investigate how plant performance can be optimized in the field or closed environments, and contribute to cultivar development
3. Crop Production Systems research seeks to develop or test agricultural management strategies for yield improvement and economically and environmentally sound production practices in field and horticultural crops such as ornamentals and turf. Students assist producers and industry in the control of weeds, insects and plant diseases, and investigate new management protocols for production of high quality crops.
4. Bioproducts is a multi-disciplinary field and will deal with background sciences ranging from chemical engineering to plant science. Students deal with products and materials made from cellulose, oil, protein, starch and other compounds derived from various plant parts such as seeds, stalks/stovers, hulls and cobs of crop plants. Students will develop their expertise in analytical methods, factors affecting quality of plant-derived raw materials, engineering (including bioengineering of bioproducts) biomaterials and biocomposites.

The Department also offers a Master of Plant Agriculture (MPAg), which is a course-based master’s program where students can specialize in one of three fields:

1. Breeding and Genetics
2. Biochemistry and Physiology
3. Crop Production Systems

Through a variety of courses, students gain a deeper understanding of basic and applied science, and how it shapes modern plant agriculture. Students also gain data analysis skills and have the opportunity for multiple experiential learning opportunities and interaction with professionals in the Plant Agriculture sector. By engaging with leading university researchers in these areas, students are exposed to cutting edge advances that impact plant agriculture within Canada and around the globe.

Administrative Staff

Chair 
Hugh Earl (314 Crop Science Building, Ext. 58568)
hjearl@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator 
Istvan Rajcan (317 Crop Science Building, Ext. 53564)
irajcan@uoguelph.ca
Associate Graduate Program Coordinator
Max Jones (4221 Bovey Building, Ext. 53016)
amjones@uoguelph.ca
MPAg Graduate Program Coordinator
Helen Booker (316 CRSC, Ext. 56829)
hbooker@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Tara Israel (1103 Bovey Building, Ext. 56077)
pagrad@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

MPAg Program

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a 4-year baccalaureate degree in a plant science/biology program, or the equivalent, from a recognized universityf with an average academic standing of at least 'B-' during the last two years of full-time study (or equivalent). Supportive letters of reference are essential and should outline the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses. Students are admitted in the Fall semester.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Master of Plant Agriculture program, graduates will be able to:

1. Work collaboratively and effectively in interdisciplinary groups to create strategic plans and communicate outcomes to be successful in plant agriculture.
2. Evaluate procedures in plant agriculture using the scientific method within different environments and uses.
3. Utilize a high level of numeracy skills, including managing, visualizing and analyzing data, to make sound evidence-based decisions in the context of plant agricultural sciences. 
4. Determine the environmental impacts of plant agriculture and develop solutions to maximize production and minimize impact on the environment.
5. Integrate principles that direct plant agriculture within production systems, biochemical and physiological analyses and, breeding and genetics, with each other and enterprises outside agriculture. 
6. Determine the proper methods for evaluating solutions to problems in plant agricultural sciences.

Program Requirements

The program requires 5.00 credits, including 2.50 credits of required courses and 2.50 credits from the list of restricted electives. Restricted electives have been grouped into three fields: Breeding and Genetics, Biochemistry and Physiology, and Crop Production Systems. While not mandatory, students are encouraged to declare and take at least 1.50 credits in one field to establish depth of understanding and specialization in one area of study. Students also have the option to include up to 1.00 credits of 3000- and 4000-level undergraduate courses in place of graduate level courses from the restricted electives list. Any other substitutions to the list of restricted electives must be approved by the MPAg Graduate Program Coordinator.

MSc Program

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a baccalaureate degree in an honours plant science/biology program, or the equivalent, from a recognized university or college with an average academic standing of at least 'B' during the last two years of full-time study (or equivalent). To assist in identifying a suitable thesis advisor(s), applicants should submit a short statement of research interests. Supportive letters of reference are essential and should outline the applicant's strengths and weaknesses. Students may be admitted in the Fall, Winter or Summer semesters. The University of Guelph requires that applicants from some foreign institutions have a MSc (or equivalent) degree before they are considered for admission to the University of Guelph's MSc program.

Program Requirements

MSc students conduct basic and/or applied research on topics within the four program fields.

A program of prescribed courses (at least 1.50 credits of 6000 level courses) and additional courses is established with the student's advisory committee. All MSc candidates must complete a thesis and present a seminar in conjunction with the final oral examination. Students are required to participate in PLNT*6400 Seminar and in a Departmental Colloquium course dealing with current topics. Students are expected to participate in Departmental events, with particular emphasis on seminar series.

PhD Program

The Department of Plant Agriculture offers a PhD program in four broad fields of the Plant Sciences:

1. Plant Breeding and Genetics;
2. Plant Biochemistry and Physiology;
3. Crop Production Systems; and
4. Bioproducts.

Students conduct research on topics within these fields.

Admission Requirements

The usual requirement for admission into the PhD program is a MSc degree by thesis in a field appropriate to their proposed area of specialization with a minimum 'B' average and supportive letters of reference. Direct admission to the PhD program is permitted to applicants holding an honours baccalaureate degree and demonstrating extraordinary academic and research capabilities. It is also possible for a student to transfer from the MSc without completing the requirements for that degree if the student has an excellent academic record and has strong research progress that can be expanded to the doctoral level. The request for transfer must be initiated by the student and must be done no earlier than the end of the second semester and no later than the end of the fourth semester. Applicants should submit a statement of research interests, background experiences, and career goals to assist in the identification of an appropriate faculty adviser with the resources necessary to support the thesis research. Students may be admitted in the Fall, Winter or Spring semesters. In some instances, applicants who already hold a MSc may be required to initially register in the MSc program.

Program Requirements

The major emphasis in the PhD program is on research and the preparation and defense of an acceptable thesis. All PhD candidates must complete a thesis and present a seminar in conjunction with the final oral examination. Students are required to participate in PLNT*6400 Seminar and in a Departmental Colloquium course dealing with current topics. There are no other specific course requirements. It is usual for most students, in consultation with their advisory committee, to select some appropriate courses in preparation for the qualifying examination and thesis research. The qualifying examination is in two parts (written and oral) and evaluates the student's knowledge of their field of specialization and related topics. The qualifying examination is taken no later than the fifth semester. For students who have transferred from the MSc program or have been admitted directly to the PhD program from a BSc, the qualifying examination is taken no later than the seventh semester. The advisory committee is required to submit a written evaluation of the student's performance in research and the student's potential as a researcher. Upon completion of the qualifying examination, the student becomes a candidate for the PhD degree.

All students are expected to participate in Departmental events, with particular emphasis on seminar series.

Collaborative Specializations

International Development Studies

The Department of Plant Agriculture participates in the PhD collaborative specialization in International Development Studies (IDS). Please consult the International Development Studies listing for a detailed description of the PhD collaborative specialization.

Toxicology

The Department of Plant Agriculture participates in the master's/doctoral collaborative specialization in toxicology. Please consult the Toxicology listing for a detailed description of the master's/doctoral collaborative specialization.

Courses

Other Courses

UNIV*6020 Experimental Design and Applied Data Analysis for the Agricultural Sciences