Graduate Education
- Degree programs
- Financial Assistance
- Fellowships – Funding
is available from University, College, and Departmental sources to support
fellowships in all areas of research within the Department. Fellowships
are awarded to students with a demonstrated high level of scholarly achievement.
- Assistantships – Funding,
usually tied to a specific research project, is available for graduate research
assistantships. As a result, the student will be expected to conduct
research related to the objectives of the funded project.
- Areas of graduate training
- Bioinformatics – Scientists
are utilizing newly developed techniques to analyze large data bases being
generated by molecular genetics and genomics. These techniques allow
them to identify the location of genes of importance and to map the evolution
of plant and animal species.
- Biometry – The
Department of Crop Sciences has a strong program in biometry. A primary
objective of this group is to use statistical procedures to allow biological
researchers to obtain valid answers to their research questions. Scientists
within this group have identified geostatistic tools that can be used to create
management programs that improve the efficiency of use of natural resources.
- Crop Production – Major
emphasis of this group is on cultural practices, including seed bed preparation,
planting data, variety selection and row spacing, as well as mineral nutrition
(soil fertility), etc…on crop growth and development. Students
have the opportunity to conduct their work in a laboratory, greenhouse, and/or
field facilities. Field work is conducted at University operated Research
and Education Centers or on farmers’ fields using on-farm techniques.
- Entomology – Field, fruit
and vegetable crops – Evaluating factors that influence
insect infestation of crops has been a major focus of the Entomology program
in the Department of Crop sciences. In addition, many projects have
been designed to identify practices and products that will effectively reduce
the insect population below threshold level for economic crop damage.
- Environmental Sciences (toxicology) – Faculty
and students working in this area have the goal to improve agricultural profitability
while decreasing adverse impacts on the environment. Additionally, scientists
with this group are developing assay systems to detect hazardous environmental
contaminants, particularly in public water supplies as well as research on
the health and environmental effects of pesticides. Other scientists
are working to identify new value-added products from agronomic commodities,
especially commercial by-products from bioenergy production that will reduce
waste and generate materials that may protect public health and the environment.
- Plant Breeding and Genetics – Programs
are available in maize (corn), soybean, and small grains (wheat and oats). Students
can choose from programs that are aimed at a) improving varieties and genetic
stocks for grain quality, yield potential, and/or resistance to diseases and
insect pests; b) maintaining and evaluating diversity of genetic stocks; or
c) developing special traits such as protein or oil content, high carotenoid,
improved amino acid quality, high starch, etc….
- Plant Molecular Biology
and Physiology – Faculty and students working in this
area are using molecular techniques to exploit the basis of important traits
such as seed composition, disease resistance, stress tolerance and mineral
nutrition. Results of this cellular work are carried through to whole
plant field research with the ultimate goal to improve grain quality for
the end-user.
- Plant Pathology – Students
have an opportunity to focus research efforts on understanding how hosts, pathogens,
and environments interact to cause plant diseases and in understanding techniques
to use to control disease. Research may be laboratory, field, or a combination
of the two.
- Weed Science – Development
of herbicide resistance along with the introduction of invasive species in
recent years combined with the need to evaluate the impact of changing cultural,
mechanical, chemical, and biological factors has led to a rapidly expanding
dynamic field of study. Students have an opportunity to work in molecular
or field programs, or some combination of the two. Weed science faculty
have interest and expertise in molecular and biochemical mechanisms of herbicide
selectivity; evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds; weed ecology and biology;
soil-herbicide efficacy; and weed-crop competition.
Internationally Renowned Research
- Bioinformatics – Scientists in the Department are mining
existing data bases to identify genes that carry special traits and to better
understand the evolution of plants.
- Environmental Toxicology – Scientists are evaluating
the human toxicology of natural and man made compounds found in drinking water
supplies.
- Genome Mapping -
- Geostatistics – satellite technology – Faculty
in the Department of Crop Sciences are leaders in demonstrating the improvement
in crop production efficiency that can be realized by using modern technology
for site specific applications.
- Molecular to Whole Plant Research - The Department has a
long-standing history of cutting edge research that has provided new innovative
products and practices that improve the quality of life.
- Pest Management Strengths In Plant Pathology, Entomology,
Nematology, and Weed Science - Four of the current pest management
faculty have or are serving as President of their national scientific society.
- Plant Breeding and Genetics With Special Emphasis
On Corn, Soybean, and Wheat - Scientists working at the cellular level
are able to identify and alter plant mechanisms for crop improvement. This
combined with traditional plant breeding has and will continue to produce new
varieties that have improved traits for crop quality, pest resistance, utilization
of natural resources, resistance to adverse growing conditions, etc…
- Plant Physiology - Current emphasis is on evaluating the
impact of changing environmental factors, such as ozone, carbon dioxide, or high
salt content on crop growth and development; and identifying factors that affect
the efficiency of nitrogen uptake and use.
