Plant and Soil Sciences Graduate Program

MS student, Emily Kennebeck
MS student, Emily Kennebeck, is working on a NASA project to grow hydroponic lettuce and mustard greens under different CO2 levels and light qualities.

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)
Latest News
  • Alumni Lexi Dart uses her skills from UD’s landscape architecture program to pursue her Ph.D.

    September 10, 2024 | Written by Nya Wynn
    UD Class of 2023 University of Delaware landscape architecture graduate Lexi Dart is working towards her Ph.D. in design with a concentration in landscape architecture. Dart combines her interest in site engineering and her skills in design and community outreach to analyze how architects can measure different aspects of the landscape and how designs can impact communities.
  • Isotope fingerprints of environmental contaminants

    September 06, 2024 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson
    UD researchers use new method to track pollutants in the environment.
  • From bean to bar

    September 05, 2024 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photos by Evan Krape
    UD professor and students whip up unique chocolate sweets.

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.