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Plant Biology and Conservation, MS
LAPLBIOMS
Biology, Botany, Conservation, approved for STEM-OPT extension, plant
Plants are fundamental to life on Earth. Conducted jointly by ASU and the Desert Botanical Garden, this program nurtures future plant and environmental biologists by equipping them with quantitative skills and human dimensions in dealing with global climate change, food insecurity and loss of biodiversity.
Program description
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Degree awarded: MS
Plant Biology and Conservation
The MS program in plant biology and conservation provides students with advanced training in plant molecular and cellular biology, biotechnology, functional genomics, paleobotany, ecology, evolution and floristics, as well as in theory and practice of conservation biology.
Students have the opportunity to work with faculty and researchers from ASU and the Desert Botanical Garden, located in Phoenix near ASU's Tempe campus.
STEM-OPT for international students on F-1 visas
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT
work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those
interested in an OPT extension should
review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and
Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the
degree through ASU Online.
30 credit hours and a thesis
Required Core (3 credit hours)
PLB 502 Perspectives in Plant Biology (3)
Research (3 credit hours)
PLB 592 Research (3)
Electives (17 credit hours)
Other Requirements (1 credit hour)
BIO 591 Seminar (1)
Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)
PLB 599 Thesis (6)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students should see the academic unit for a complete list of approved electives.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in biology, botany or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants must submit the following:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- academic record form
- personal statement
- curriculum vitae or resume
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about
ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Program learning outcomes▲
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Able to review the literature relevant to a research question in plant biology and conservation.
- Able to execute a research plan of their own design to address a scientific question about plant biology and conservation.
- Able to communicate research findings clearly and accurately in oral presentations and in writing to the scientific community and to the public.
The conservation field demonstrates a growing need for botanists and conservation biologists in academic institutions; agricultural, biotechnological and landscape companies; government agencies; and nongovernmental organizations.
A master's degree in plant biology and conservation provides strong preparation for academic careers. The skills and knowledge obtained in this program are also valuable for government careers in federal and state agencies responsible for management and conservation, and for careers in industry and nongovernmental organizations.
Career examples include:
- conservation scientists at parks and natural resource centers, museums and national forests
- food and agriculture scientists in academic, private and industrial labs
- instructors at community colleges
- researchers and technicians in government labs and nonprofit organizations
- science teachers in elementary and high schools
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and
how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See
https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information:
https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
Students from western states who select this major may be eligible for a reduced nonresident tuition rate of 150 percent of Arizona resident tuition plus all applicable fees. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program
Web site.
check up to 3 programs to see a side-by-side comparison
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A minor is an approved, coherent focus of academic study in a single discipline, other than the student's major, involving substantially
fewer hours of credit than a corresponding major.
Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate either by the college or department of the major or minor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving graduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary graduate degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S.Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website. The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the degree through ASU Online.
