Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Biology with Concentration in Ecology (STEM) Southern Illinois University Carbondale, USA

Take part in an enriching scholarly adventure in plant biology, where education transcends boundaries. Our Ph.D. program invites you to chare your unique course, fostering a vibrant community dedicated to unlocking the mysteries of plant biology. From Inquiry to revelation, this is where your academic odyssey commences.

As you pursue your Ph.D., you’ll find a comprehensive program tailored to your ambitions. Since the first Ph.D. was awarded in 1965, our department has evolved to encompass all dimensions of plant biology, adapting to everchanging environments.

Our devoted faculty and staff are prepared to guide you through every faced of your scholarly pursuits, ensuring your success within the dynamic Plant Biology community. You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with our faculty to design a personalized program aligning with your research and career goals. You will pursue independent and impactful learning showcased through a final dissertation, setting the stage for your academic distinction.

Our program also includes valuable teaching experiences in undergraduate courses, providing a holistic approach to scholarly growth and offering you the chance to shape the minds of future Plant Biologists.

Concentration in Ecology

Students opting to declare ecology as a concentration shall follow the same program as students in the Ph.D. in Plant Biology degree program that do not declare a concentration, subject to the following courses: Course work for the concentration in ecology shall consist of a minimum of 20 credit hours at the seminar, readings, research, dissertation, and research tool requirements. The Seminar in Plant Biology Ecology (PLB 589A) or equivalent must be taken every Fall and Spring semester until student achieves candidacy. The student’s advisory committee shall consist of at least five members with a majority from Plant Biology and at least two members from outside of Plant Biology. For the preliminary examination, the field of expertise shall be ecology. One of the two research tools will be statistics, and the other should demonstrate knowledge defined as training in laboratory (or field) methods, instrumentation, technology, or communication skills including language that is integral to the pursuance of ecological research.