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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Alpine garden intern
September 04, 2025 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photos courtesy of Jackson FoxUD landscape architecture student gets hands-on experience with Colorado horticulture. Jackson Fox, University of Delaware Class of 2027, a Wilmington native, interned nearly 2,000 miles west of home at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado. His internship focused on saving and showcasing alpine plants. The environment he worked in was very different from Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, where he works seasonal jobs. -
Innovation ambassador: Harsh Bais
September 02, 2025 | Article by Karen B. Roberts | Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson and Evan Krape | Photo illustration by Jeffrey C. Chase | Video by Ally Quinn and Sam KmiecHarsh Bais, professor of plant biology at the University of Delaware, was named an Innovation Ambassador at UD earlier this year. It’s part of the University’s effort to help other inventors and entrepreneurs drive on the innovation highway. The role enables Bais to share his own experience as a researcher as well as support others on their own research translation journey. -
Sprouting Cities: 2025’s Best Cities for Urban Gardening
August 20, 2025 | Written by Sav Maive (Lawn Starter)Where can urban gardeners grow a bountiful harvest? To find out, LawnStarter ranked 2025’s Best Cities for Urban Gardening, and continue reading for a Q&A with UD's own expert, Sue Barton!
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.