Plant Sciences/Horticulture
This is an archived copy of the 2021-22 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.
Program Description
The Department of Plant Sciences offers graduate studies leading to the M.S. degrees in Cereal Science, Plant Sciences, and Horticulture, and to a Ph.D. degree in Cereal Science or Plant Sciences, with an optional Program of Emphasis in Plant Breeding and Genetics. Specialized academic and research training in Plant Sciences is available in plant breeding and genetics, weed science, biotechnology, and field and forage crop production and management. Areas of specialization in Horticulture and Forestry include breeding and genetics, biotechnology, physiology, propagation, sports and urban turfgrass management, and production and management of horticultural crops such as woody plants, potatoes, vegetables, and herbaceous ornamentals. Areas of specialization in Cereal Science may involve research in the areas of carbohydrates, enzymes, legumes, and other northern-grown crops; barley malting and brewing; wheat milling, baking, and pasta processing. Each study area is designed to provide students with comprehension of the discipline and of relevant regional and global-community social issues.
The Department of Plant Sciences is located in Loftsgard Hall, which provides a state-of-the-art facility for interdisciplinary research in plant sciences, ranging from basic studies and biotechnology to the more traditional applied areas. Facilities for cereal science research are located in Harris Hall. These facilities include analytical laboratories for grain quality research, baking, milling, malting and brewing, and pasta and noodle processing. State-of-the-art greenhouses and extensive growth chamber facilities are also available, as are 100 acres of field research land adjacent to the Plant Science Complex. An additional 500 acres of research land are located near the North Dakota State University campus. A horticultural farm only 25 miles west of campus has an extensive arboretum. Excellent supporting disciplines located nearby, or in the Plant Science Complex, include Soil Science, Botany, Food Safety, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology. The Department of Plant Sciences encourages interdisciplinary research, and students frequently tailor their research program to meet their interests by working with faculty in one or more of the supporting disciplines.
Graduate student numbers per faculty member are limited, so the student gets adequate personal attention and works closely with their adviser in research. Final selection of the adviser will be made on the basis of the student's interest, availability of space in the researcher's laboratory, and a common desire of the student and professor to work together.
The Department of Plant Sciences graduate programs are open to all qualified graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing. To be admitted with full status to the program, the applicant must meet Graduate School and Department admission requirements.
Students who do not meet specific requirements for admission but show potential for successful graduate study may be admitted under a conditional status. Evidence must be provided showing that the applicant's potential is not adequately reflected by their record.
Financial Assistance
Graduate research assistantships (half-time) are provided on a competitive basis based on scholarship and potential to undertake advanced study and research. The information provided within the application to Graduate School is used to assign available assistantships to applicants. Currently, the annual stipend is $17,772 for a M.S. candidate and $19,032 for a Ph.D. candidate but this may vary based on the research project. Graduate tuition is waived for all students with a graduate research assistantship who meet the hours worked requirement each semester.
A limited number of graduate fellowships are available. The Department of Plant Sciences has numerous annual scholarships of $500 to $1000 each for outstanding Plant Sciences graduate students.
Degree Programs
The M.S. Program, Thesis Option, requires completion of at least 30 credits; this includes 10 credits of thesis research (PLSC 798).
An M.S. Program, Comprehensive Study Option, is also offered in Plant Sciences. This option requires completion of at least 30 credits, including 3 credits of a Master's Paper (PLSC 797).
The Ph.D. Program requires completion of at least 90 credits; this includes 30 credits for an earned M.S. degree (Thesis Option), 2 credits from two teaching experiences (PLSC 892), 2 additional credits of seminar (PLSC 790), and 20 additional research credits (PLSC 899). An optional Ph.D. Program of Emphasis in Plant Breeding and Genetics is available with additional course requirements as mentioned on the departmental website.
See the tables below for program requirements
For each M.S. or Ph.D. candidate, a plan of study will be developed in the first year that meets the disciplinary requirements as well as the individual needs of the student. The faculty adviser and other members of the student's supervisory/advisory and examining committee assist in developing of the plan of study as well as the student's research plan. Candidates for the M.S. degree programs normally satisfy all requirements within a two-year period. Ph.D. candidates normally require three additional years. For M.S. candidates, an oral examination of academics related to the discipline and the research-based thesis is required. The Ph.D. candidates are required to pass a preliminary written and oral examination of academics related to the discipline and a final oral defense of a research-based dissertation.
A B.S. to Ph.D. program is permitted for students who meet higher admission requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| M.S. Plan A - Thesis Option | 30 | |
| 600-700 level courses including 3 credits of PLSC 724 or equivalent | 19 | |
16 of which must be in didactic courses approved for graduate credit numbered 600-689 and 700-789 | ||
| PLSC 790 | Graduate Seminar | 1 |
| PLSC 798 | Master's Thesis | 10 |
| M.S. Plan B - Comprehensive Study Option | 30 | |
| 600-700 level courses including 3 credits of PLSC 724 or equivalent | 26 | |
21 of the 30 credits must be in didactic courses approved for graduate credit numbered 600-689 and 700-789 | ||
| PLSC 790 | Graduate Seminar | 1 |
| PLSC 797 | Master's Paper | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| M.S. (thesis option) to Ph.D. | 60 | |
| 600 - 800 level courses (including PLSC 724 if not part of MS) | 36 | |
27 of which must be didactic courses numbered 601-689, 700-789, or 800-889 | ||
15 of the 27 must be 700-789 or 800-889 | ||
| PLSC 790 | Graduate Seminar | 2 |
| PLSC 892 | Graduate Teaching Experience | 2 |
| PLSC 899 | Doctoral Dissertation | 20 |
Faculty
Nonoy Bandillo, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2016
Research Interests: Pulse Breeding, Genetics
Marisol Berti, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2007
Research Interests: Forage and Biomass Crop Production
Xiwen Cai, Ph.D.
Washington State University, 1998
Research Interests: Wheat Genetics
Bingcan Chen, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts, 2012
Research Interests: Cereal and Food Chemistry
Michael J. Christoffers, Ph.D.
University of Missouri-Columbia, 1998
Research Interests: Weed Science/Genetics
David Wenhao Dai, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2001
Research Interests: Woody Plant Physiology, Biotechnology
Edward L. Deckard, Ph.D.
University of Illinois, 1970
Research Interests: Crop Physiology
Elias M. Elias, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1987
Research Interests: Durum Wheat Breeding, Genetics
Greta Gramig, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Interests: Weed Biology and Ecology
Andrew J. Green, Ph.D.
Kansas State University, 2016
Research Interests: Hard Red Spring Wheat, Genetics
Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1993
Research Interests: High-Value Crop Production
Richard D. Horsley, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1988
Research Interests: Barley Breeding, Genetics
Kirk A. Howatt, Ph.D.
Colorado State University, 1999
Research Interests: Weed Science, Annual Weeds
Joseph Ikley, Ph.D.
Purdue University, 2018
Research Interests: Weed Control
Burton L. Johnson, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1993
Research Interests: Crop Production
Thomas J. Kalb, Ph.D.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 1988
Research Interests: Extension Horticulture
Herman J. Kandel, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1995
Research Interests: Crop Production
Chiwon W. Lee, Ph.D.
Purdue University, 1977
Research Interests: Vegetables, Floriculture, Biotechnology
Deying M. Li, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 2001
Research Interests: Sports Turf Management
Xuehui Li, Ph.D.
University of Georgia, 2009
Research Interests: Statistical Genomics
Frank A. Manthey, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1985
Research Interests: Durum Wheat Quality, Pasta/Noodle Processing
G. Francois Marais, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1979
University of Stellenbosch, 1992
Research Interests: Hard Red Winter Wheat Breeding, Genetics
Phillip E. McClean, Ph.D.
Colorado State University, 1982
Research Interests: Dry Bean Genetics, Biotechnology
Esther E. McGinnis
University of Minnesota, 2013
Research Interests: Extension Horticulture, Native Plants, Perennial Hardiness, Floriculture
Michael S. McMullen, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 1976
Research Interests: Oat Breeding, Genetics
Carrie Miranda, Ph.D.
University of Missouri, 2018
Research Interests: Soybean Breeding, Molecular Genetics
Rebekah Oliver, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2006
Research Interests: Genetics
Juan Osorno, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2006
Research Interests: Dry Edible Bean Breeding
Thomas Peters, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1990
Research Interests: Sugarbeet Agronomy, Weed Science
Mukhlesur Rahman, Ph.D.
University of Manitoba, 2007
Research Interests: Canola Breeding
Jiajia Rao, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts, 2013
Research Interests: Food Chemistry, Ingredient Technology
Andy Robinson, Ph.D.
Purdue University, 2012
Research Interests: Potato Production
Paul B. Schwarz, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1987
Research Interests: Malting Barley Quality
Kalidas Shetty, Ph.D.
University of Idaho, 1989
Research Interests: Food Safety
Senay Simsek, Ph.D.
Purdue University, 2006
Research Interests: Hard Spring Wheat Quality
Asunta L. Thompson, Ph.D.
University of Idaho, 1998
Research Interests: Potato Breeding
Anuradha Vegi, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2008
Research Interests: Teaching Techniques
Todd West, Ph.D.
Southern Illinois University, 2004
Research Interests: Woody Plant Improvement
Qi Zhang, Ph.D.
Kansas State University, 2007
Research Interests: Turfgrass Stress Physiology
Alan J. Zuk, Ph.D.
Kansas State University, 2005
Research Interests: Sports and Urban Turfgrass Management
Adjunct and Affiliate
James V. Anderson, Ph.D.
Virginia Polytech Institute, 1990
Research Interests: Plant Biochemistry
James Beaver, Ph.D.
University of Illinois, 1980
Research Interests: Dry Bean Genetics
David Bonnett, Ph.D.
University of Sydney, 1997
Research Interests: Wheat Breeding
Patrick M. Carr, Ph.D.
Montana State University, 1989
Research Interests: Sustainable Agriculture
Wun Shaw Chao, Ph.D.
University of California-Davis, 1996
Research Interests: Perennial Weeds
Munevver Dogramaci, Ph.D.
Cukurova University, Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, Adana, Turkey/North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA, 2000
Research Interests: Sugarbeet and Potato Research
Linda Dykes, Ph.D.
Texas A&M University, 2008
Research Interests: Food Science and Technology
Justin D. Faris, Ph.D.
Kansas State University, 1999
Research Interests: Wheat Molecular Genetics
Jason Fiedler, Ph.D.
Scripps Research Institute, 2012
Research Interests: Cereal Crop Genetics
Shana M. Forster, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2017
Research Interests: Crop Production
Jose G. Franco, Jr., Ph.D.
Texas A&M University, 2015
Research Interests: Agroecology, Sustainable Food Systems
Karen L. Fugate, Ph.D.
Ohio State University, 1995
Research Interests: Sugarbeet Physiology
Russell Gesch, Ph.D.
Texas A&M University, 1995
Research Interests: Physiology of Oilseed Crops
Salvador Alejandro Gezan, Ph.D.
University of Florida, 2005
Research Interests: Statistic and Quantitative Genetics
Michael Grusak, Ph.D.
University of California-Davis, 1985
Research Interests: Crop Nutrient Quality
Yong Q. Gu, Ph.D.
University of California, Riverside, 1994
Research Interests: Wheat Genetics
Darrin Haagenson, Ph.D.
Purdue University, 2001
Research Interests: Crop Physiology and Ecology
David P. Horvath, Ph.D.
Michigan State University, 1993
Research Interests: Perennial Weed Physiology
Brent Hulke, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 2007
Research Interests: Flax and Sunflower Genetics
Brian Jenks, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, 1996
Research Interests: Integrated Weed Management
Blaine Johnson, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska, 1986
Research Interests: Quantitative Genetics
Edward C. Lulai, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1978
Research Interests: Potato Physiology
Kevin McPhee, Ph.D.
University of Idaho, 1995
Research Interests: Pulse Crops
Grant Mehring, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2016
Research Interests: Agronomy; Wheat and Corn Research
Mohamed Mergoum, Ph.D.
Colorado State University, 1991
Research Interests: Hard Red Spring Wheat Breeding
Jae-Bom Ohm, Ph.D.
Kansas State University, 1996
Research Interests: Grain Science
Michael Ostlie, Ph.D.
Colorado State University, 2012
Research Interests: Weed Science
Timothy Porch, Ph.D.
Cornell University, 2012
Research Interests: Dry Bean Breeding and Genetics
Gautam Pradhan, Ph.D.
Kansas State University, 2011
Research Interests: Crop Physiology
Lili Qi, Ph.D.
Nanjing Agricultural University, 1997
Research Interests: Wheat Genetics
Calvin Trostle, Ph.D.
Texas A&M, 1996
Research Interests: Row Crops, Peanut, Alfalfa
Gerald J. Seiler, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1980
Research Interests: Sunflower and Sugarbeet Germplasm
Thomas Walk, Ph.D.
Pennsylvania State University, 2005
Research Interests: Plant Physiology, Statistics
Jochum Wiersma, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 1995
Research Interests: Small Grains
Steven S. Xu, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1994
Research Interests: Hard Red Spring Wheat Development
Shengming Yang, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1994
Research Interests: Hard Red Spring Wheat Development