The M.S. in Bioagricultural Sciences, Plan B, Pest Management Specialization is a coursework and internship-based program that prepares students to work to sustain our food and fiber supply, provide agricultural biosecurity, and protect our natural ecosystems from pests, plant diseases, and weeds. Students complete coursework, an internship, and a professional paper. There is a great need for people with advanced training in agriculture and food systems. The number of people currently prepared to work in these fields is lower than the number of jobs available.
Insects, plant diseases, and weeds cause major annual losses in food production worldwide. The Pest Management M.S. degree is the only internship-based M.S. in the United States that provides training on all biotic stresses faced in food production, including entomology, plant pathology, and weed science. This program prepares students to work as extension educators, import/export inspectors, crop advisors, or in multiple industry roles focused on management of insects, plant diseases, and weeds in agricultural systems. Overall, employment of students from our graduate programs is nearly 100%.
Effective Fall 2023
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AB 551 | Advanced Integrated Pest Management | 4 |
| Section 1. Core Foundation (15 credits) | ||
| BSPM 587 | Internship 1 | 3 |
| BSPM 698 | Research 2 | 6 |
| BSPM 792 | Seminar 3 | 2 |
| Section 2. Agricultural Biology Electives. Select 13-19 credits from this list. Do not exceed the number of 300/400-level credits permitted by the Graduate School for this degree. | 13-19 | |
| Insect Biotechnology | ||
| Understanding Pesticides | ||
| Herbicide Selectivity and Action | ||
| Microbiome of Plant Systems | ||
| Plant Biochemistry in Agriculture | ||
| Forest Health Issues | ||
| Pesticide Resistance Evolution and Management | ||
| Biology of Fungal Plant Pathogens | ||
| Topics in Plant Pathology--Plant Virology | ||
| Applied and General Entomology 4 | ||
| Ecology and Management of Weeds 4 | ||
| Elements of Plant Pathology 4 | ||
| Integrated Tree Health Management | ||
| Foundations of Bioagricultural Sciences | ||
| Topics in Plant Pathology: Plant Bacteriology | ||
| Evolutionary Ecology | ||
| Invasive Plants/Weeds–Ecosystems to Molecules | ||
| Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Section 3. General Electives. Select 0-6 credits from this list. Do not exceed the number of 300/400-level credits permitted by the Graduate School for this degree. | 0-6 | |
| Agricultural and Extension Teaching | ||
| Integrated Decision Making/Management Skills | ||
| Agricultural Policy | ||
| Urban Horticulture | ||
| Wildlife Disease Ecology | ||
| Wetland Ecology and Restoration | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 34 | |
A minimum of 34 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
Internship placement to be selected in coordination with departmental program advisor and graduate advisor. Includes a professional development plan for the internship (3 credits).
- 2
Includes a professional paper on topic related to student's specialization and approved by the student’s advisor and graduate committee (6 credits).
- 3
Enroll in department seminar for 1 credit twice (2 semesters total, 2 credits total).
- 4
If these Foundation undergraduate courses were not taken during the undergraduate degree, complete as part of the MS degree.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |