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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New parks, better housing and safer streets part of ideas to improve conditions along Delaware’s Route 9 corridor
October 28, 2025 | Written by Johnny Perez-Gonzalez | WHYYThe Route 9 corridor near New Castle has endured decades of flooding, industrial zoning and disinvestment. The University of Delaware Coastal Resilience Design Studio partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on a report, “Neighborhoods of Nice Green Connections Framework”, which highlighted key areas of the corridor to improve. The report proposed projects that could improve the corridor’s connectivity, recreation and safety. -
Fall harvest
October 20, 2025 | Written by Molly Schafer | Photos by courtesy of Tim FilaskyMeet the Blue Hen alumni behind Filasky's Produce and Farm Market. Investing in agritourism, especially autumn events including pumpkin patches, hayrides and inflatables, helped this small family farm succeed. -
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.
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.