Plant and Soil Sciences Graduate Program
One graduate program. Two concentrations. Three degree options.
Plant Science involves course work in plant molecular biology, plant breeding, plant pathology, plant tissue culture, horticulture, crop science, plant anatomy and/or plant physiology with thesis research in one of those areas.
Soil Science involves course work and thesis research in soil chemistry, soil fertility and management, soil physics, soil microbiology and biochemistry, environmental microbiology, soil and water quality and soil formation and biogeochemistry.
Degree options:
- Ph.D. dissertation degree
- M.S. thesis degree
- M.S. non-thesis degree (full- or part-time)
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A friendly microbial hitchhiker
October 13, 2025 | Written by Katie PeikesIn plants, a healthy bacteria produces an amino acid called ergothioneine that can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. This bacteria could boost crops’ nutritional value. University of Delaware researchers studied how well Streptomyces coelicolor M145 could enhance ergothioneine levels in spring wheat. The findings suggest there are natural ways to enrich crops’ protein, to help feed the world. -
Cultivating versatility
October 10, 2025 | Written by Molly Schafer | Photos by Michele WalfredAt the University of Delaware Carvel Research and Education Center, Borel Global Fellow Mary Starford Matovolwa studies amaranth’s tolerance to drought and cold in an effort to improve global food security. -
Sweeping the Competition
October 09, 2025 | Written by: Nya Wynn | Photos courtesy of: Qingwu MengUndergraduates and graduate students alike from Assistant Professor Qingwu Meng’s lab swept the competition at this year’s American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Conference, highlighting UD’s plant and soil sciences program. Their research advances sustainable, efficient crop growth through controlled-environment agriculture.
Important Links
Application process update: Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the program of PLSC is waiving the GRE requirement for our graduate program. If you wish to apply without a GRE score, please enter a future GRE exam date into the application. It need not be a legitimate exam date. Entering a future exam date causes the system to finish your application and send it on to our review committee where it will receive full consideration.