About The Program and the University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a land-grant university with an enrollment of 38,728 students, of whom 8,164 are pursuing graduate or professional degrees. The Plant Sciences Department supports 37 Teaching, Research, and Extension faculty members, lecturers, and instructors. Departmental faculty serve as mentors and advisors to more than 50 technical and post-doctoral staff, as well as about 36 students who are pursuing graduate degrees. Graduate students are split about evenly between our MS and PhD degree programs.
The Plant Sciences Department is located on the Agricultural (West) Campus adjacent to Main Campus in Knoxville, Tennessee. The department has lab facilities, greenhouse space, and nearby forest resource spaces to support active research. Undergraduate and graduate students have access through their faculty and classes to experiential learning and research at 8 different Research and Education Centers as well as satellite facilities that are located across the state.
Knoxville, Tennessee is a vibrant community that boasts a thriving music and arts scene, along with plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures in the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
FAQs: Before You Apply
“Should I communicate with a Plant Sciences faculty member or identify a potential mentor as part of my application process?”
Yes, nearly all successful applicants to the department’s graduate degree programs have corresponded with one of our faculty members and have secured that faculty member’s stated willingness to advise the prospective student if admitted to our department. Applicant credentials still must meet with the departmental admissions committee’s approval.
“Are there any departmental assistantships available to support graduate degree studies in Plant Sciences?”
Members of our faculty may have their own resources available that can provide support or partial support for graduate assistantships. These opportunities are often funded through their success with external grants and funding. To learn more, you may email or contact those members of our faculty who are working in your area of research interest.
When such opportunities are available, they also will be posted at https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/jobs-and-internships (Announcements that are more than 4 months old are very likely to have been filled.)
Find out more about graduate assistantships at the University of Tennessee
“What deadlines are in effect for applying to graduate studies at UT Knoxville and Plant Sciences?”
Visit https://gradschool.utk.edu/admissions/deadlines/
- For Fall term entry, online application by Feb 1 (must have a complete file by May 15)
- For Spring term entry, online application by June 15 (must have a complete file by Oct 1)
“I found out that I won’t be able to start (or my potential mentorship’s funding support is not available) until a semester later than the semester that I applied for. What can I do to change my planned starting term for admission?
Contact your UT Graduate admissions specialist using the online application process to request that your term of admission be moved forward to a future semester. There is no cost to request this admission extension. Please note that the Plant Sciences Graduate Director cannot request this action on your behalf.
“Does the Department of Plant Sciences require the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?”
Yes, our department does request that GRE score be received from applicants as part of our application materials. Test scores should be submitted directly to the Graduate School as part of the online application process.
In some limited circumstances (for example, applicants who have achieved significant work experience that is directly relevant to the planned program of study and research interests), credentials of the applicants may merit an exception to the departmental GRE requirement. Waiver of GRE requests must be made to the graduate director. Requests are considered on an individual basis and must include an explanation of the conditions/circumstances that may merit evaluation of the applicant without GRE scores.
“Who would be good references that I should ask to contribute to my graduate application?”
Past faculty graduate advisors, teachers, and instructors who are familiar with your academic and research aptitudes and capabilities are preferred references. Former employers and supervisors who can speak to your professional strengths, talents, work ethic/self-motivation, and intellectual curiosity are also good references.
“How can I write a competitive statement of interest letter?”
We have compiled a detailed document explaining what to include in your statement of interest letter. You can view it here.
FAQs: Once Enrolled
Can I pursue a Minor degree in Statistics?
Graduate students can work toward obtaining a Minor in Statistics through the Intercollegiate Graduate Statistics and Data Science Minor (IGSDSP) program at Haslam College of Business. Talk to your advisor about this possibility. Your committee will need to include an IGSDSP approved faculty member. The Herbert College of Agriculture and the Department of Plant Sciences have faculty who serve in this role (currently, Dr. Vince Pantalone and Dr. Mitchell Richmond).
- Details about the Intercollegiate Graduate Statistics and Data Science Minor can be found at this site
- You will also need to submit a required form for approval
What oral and poster presentations can I be involved in?
The departmental seminar coordinator hosts annual poster (spring) and oral (fall) presentation events. Participating students interact with faculty and peers while competing for top honors.
You should also plan also to register and compete in the UT Graduate School’s 3MT Competition event held every Spring Semester.
Additional Resources
The Plant Sciences Graduate Handbook contains information specific to our degree programs and administration of the grad student experience.
Note: Graduate students are expected to meet at least once a semester with the assembled members of their graduate committee. These meetings help ensure that students are:
- keeping their research on-track
- achieving committee member & faculty mentor expectations
- designing their experiments in ways appropriate for publication in peer reviewed journals
- making course selections appropriate for the degree
5-Year BS/MS Degree Program
High-performing and intellectually curious undergraduate students who plan to undertake undergraduate research projects while studying for Plant Sciences BS degrees may be eligible to participate in an accelerated BS/MS degree program. These competitive opportunities require that the applicant have the expressed support of a Plant Sciences faculty member who is willing to serve as the student’s research advisor and graduate mentor.
A description of this Plant Sciences degree program can be found in the UT-Knoxville Undergraduate Catalog.
Questions about how Plant Sciences’ 5-year BS/MS degree program works, requirements for eligibility, and instructions about how to apply can be found in the following resource guide:
Info & FAQs about Plant Sciences’ Five-Year BS/MS Degree Program