Plant Physiology

Graduate Courses

(Interdepartmental Graduate Major)

Supervisory Committee: R. Thornburg, Chair; M. James, P. Scott, M. Westgate, E. Wurtele

Work is offered for the degrees master of science (thesis option only) and doctor of philosophy with a major in plant physiology in the following participating departments: Agronomy; Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology; Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology; Forestry; Genetics, Development and Cell Biology; Horticulture; and Plant Pathology. In the Interdepartmental Plant Physiology Major at Iowa State University, students use modern, interdisciplinary approaches to understand plant processes at the molecular, cellular and whole-plant levels. Graduates have a broad understanding of basic, functional plant biology with emphases on fundamental biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. They are able to address complex research and policy problems in agriculture, biotechnology, and basic plant biology.

All M.S. students must meet the following minimum requirements: (1) make two seminar presentations and enroll each term in the interdepartmental plant physiology seminar (P Phy 696P or its cross-listed equivalent); (2) complete two courses chosen from the following: Agron 516, P Phy 512, P Phy 513; and (3) complete the following courses: BBMB 404 and 405 or 501 and 502; and Stat 401. A higher level course in biochemistry is recommended.

All Ph.D. students must complete the following requirements, in addition to those for the M.S.: (1) two more seminar presentations in P Phy 696P (for a total of four); (2) Agron 516, P Phy 512, P Phy 513; (3) one course chosen from P Phy 545, GDCB 520, BBMB 675 or 676; and (4) one biochemistry course beyond the level of BBMB 404/405 or 501/502. Suggested courses include BBMB 451, 607, 622, 632, 642, or 660. Stat 402 or Agron 526 or a computational biology course are strongly recommended.

In consultation with his or her major professor and the POS committee, a student may select additional courses from an approved list available from the chair of the supervisory committee of the interdepartmental major.

Courses for Graduate students

P Phy 512. Plant Growth and Development. (Same as GDCB 512.) See Genetics, Development and Cell Biology.

P Phy 513. Plant Metabolism. (Same as GDCB 513.) See Genetics, Development and Cell Biology.

P Phy 545. Plant Molecular Biology. (Same as GDCB 545.) See Genetics, Development and Cell Biology.

P Phy 696P. Seminar in Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology. (Same as GDCB 696P.) See Genetics, Development and Cell Biology.