Graduate Program
Students interested in earning an advanced degree in the area of turfgrass science will benefit from the numerous faculty in a variety of disciplines.
The Center for Turfgrass Science at Penn State brings together a broad range of interdisciplinary fields, including breeding, entomology, genetics, plant nutrition and fertility, plant pathology, soil science, water quality, weed science, and many more. Graduate study provides an opportunity to focus on a specialized topic and gain an appreciation of its relevance to broader issues.
As a graduate student, you will work closely with your faculty adviser and committee members to develop a plan of study and research project that is adapted to your interests. Students are encouraged to identify faculty interests to determine which area of study best fits their needs.
Graduate research projects often address one or more of the following areas:
Turfgrass Biology- genetics and breeding, ecology, plant physiologyCultural Management - nutrient management, water quality issues, golf course management and playability, sports turf management and safety
Pest Management - plant pathology, entomology, weed science, disease management, pesticide use and safety, environmental effects, epidemiology
Soil Science - physical properties, soil fertility, nutrient management
Graduate degrees conferred are:
- Agronomy - Ph.D. and M.S. (Department of Crop and Soil Sciences)
- Soil Science - Ph.D. and M.S. (Department of Crop and Soil Sciences)
- Entomology - Ph.D. and M.S. (Department of Entomology)
- Plant Pathology - Ph.D. and M.A. (Department of Plant Pathology)
The Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs are oriented towards research and may focus on basic or applied projects. For each degree program, either a thesis (Ph.D., M.S.) or a paper (M.F.R.) is required.
