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Evidence of laboratory training and research experience is highly desirable for applicants interested in entering the Plant Biology Graduate Program. Prospective students should have substantial undergraduate training in biology or plant science and an overall undergraduate cumulative average of 3.0. The admissions committee is particularly interested in evaluating grades obtained in the sciences and mathematics.

Minimal undergraduate course requirements include:

  • One year of General Biology or Plant Science or Biochemistry
  • One year of General Chemistry with lab
  • One year of Organic Chemistry with lab
  • Mathematics through Calculus
  • One semester of Physics

Note: Students lacking the courses listed above should include a statement explaining how they will obtain such knowledge before they take the preliminary comprehensive exams for the PhD or the MS defense.

Logo showing green leaves around the words Plant Biology above the UMass Amherst wordmark