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)
Latest News
  • Doctoral student Endalkachew Kebede (left) and Assistant Professor Kyle Davis (right) looking at data on a laptop.

    Global crop data

    May 19, 2025 | Article by Matthew Trunfio
    Efficient water usage in agriculture is crucial for sustaining a growing human population. Analyzing 21st century global crop dynamics, UD faculty member Kyle Davis and doctoral student Endalkachew Kebede co-authored new research that includes a comprehensive data library of crop-specific irrigated and rainfed harvested areas for all countries.
  • University of Delaware wins impact award at 2025 Farm Robotics Challenge

    May 13, 2025 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photo courtesy of Yin Bao
    A team of University of Delaware students won recognition for designing a technological solution to tackle challenges farmers face.
  • Rice, Resilience, Representation, and Research Mentors

    April 22, 2025 | The Rice Stuff Podcast
    Angelia Seyfferth discusses her innovative study of arsenic uptake in rice, the trouble of salt water intrusion, and growing rice where it isn’t typically found. The Plant and Soil Sciences faculty member addresses the challenges and rewards of academia, mentorship, gender representation in STEM, and much more.

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.