Plant Biology Program of Study

The Plant Biology Program trains Ph.D. students to have a strong background in modern biology, as well as research training specific to higher plants and photosynthetic microorganisms. Formal coursework requirements and the preliminary examination should be concluded by the end of the second year. Research training is accomplished by a combination of required research rotations in the first year followed by a significant thesis research project. Seminars and journal clubs help members of the program stay current with the latest scientific advances.

Course Requirements

Core courses for the Plant Biology Program are:

• From Seed to Senecence: the Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology of Plants; Bio 4028 (3 credits, taken in Fall of year 1)
• Nucleic Acids and Protein Biosynthesis; Bio 548 (3 units; taken in year 1)
• How Plants Work: Physiology, Growth and Metabolism; Bio 4023 (3 credits; Spring- every year, alternates with Bio 4024)
• Ethics and Research Science; Bio 5011 (1 unit, Spring, taken in year 2)
• Plant Biology Journal Club; Bio 572 (1 unit, Spring). 2 semesters of journal club are required. One presentation must be made in each semester in which journal club is taken for credit.

Elective Courses

In addition to the core requirements, students must take at least 6 credits of advanced electives (400 level or higher) that facilitate specialization in their area of interest. Relevant, popular courses include:

• Plant Cells and Proteins Laboratory (alternate Springs); Bio 4024 - A techniques- oriented lab course covering basic molecular biology and DNA cloning, protein analysis and protein localization in plant cells using fluorescence microscopy.
• Advanced Genetics (Spring); Bio 5491 - This course is recommended strongly for all students.
• Fundamentals of Molecular Cell Biology (Fall); Bio 5068
• Developmental Biology (Spring); Bio 5352
• Molecular Microbiology & Pathogenesis (Spring);Bio 5392

Other Scholarly Activities

All Plant Biology graduate students are expected to attend and participate in: Plant Lunch, held every Tuesday at noon; the annual Plant Biology Retreat held in the Fall; and plant biology seminars sponsored by the Biology Department or by the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences. In addition, all Plant Biology graduate students should make an effort to attend the seminar series at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.

Laboratory Research Rotations

During the first 12 months in the program, each student arranges research rotations in three laboratories to help identify a laboratory in which to complete the Ph.D. thesis research. Students can arrange to perform their third rotation with a laboratory at Monsanto or another company, if desired. At least one rotation must be conducted on the Washington University campus with a mentor whose primary affiliation is with the Plant Biology Program. Each rotation should last 2-3 months.

Qualifying (Preliminary) Examination

Students must undergo a qualifying examination during the prescribed period in January of their second (usually in the second week of January before the academic semester begins). The format for the preliminary exam is a research proposal, written in the style of the Research Plan section of an NIH postdoctoral fellowship (National Research Service Award) proposal (10 pages, single-spaced, 12 point font). The proposal should test one or more hypotheses related to a topic distinct from the student's probable thesis topic. The purpose of the preliminary examination is to provide an introduction to grant writing for the student while allowing the faculty to assess the student's knowledge, critical thinking and ability to develop and test hypotheses, all of which are necessary skills for a successful research career. Click here for Helpful Hints for the Qualifying Exam.

Thesis Proposal and Thesis Advisory Committee

Within one year of passing the qualifying examination, students organize a thesis advisory committee composed of the thesis advisor and other faculty members who will help guide the student's thesis research. The student presents a thesis proposal to the advisory committee for approval and then meets with the committee at regular intervals to provide progress reports. The thesis proposal must be prepared and defended by June 1 of the student's second academic year.

Teaching Requirements

Students are required to assist in the teaching of one or two courses depending upon the workload of the course(s), typically during the second year of graduate study. Course assignments are made with the student's background and interests in mind. Student's wishing to gain additional teaching experience can arrange a second teaching experience for which they are rewarded with a modest increase in their stipend for that semester.

Doctoral Thesis

The thesis is expected to be of high quality, acceptable for publication in reputable, refereed journals. Typically, students have one or more first-authored papers published prior to the thesis defense. The thesis defense is a public seminar followed by a closed question and answer session with the examining committee.

Timetable

• Year 1: Begin required coursework, complete three research rotations.
• Year 2: Choose thesis lab; complete course requirements; satisfy teaching requirement; pass Preliminary Examination.
• Year 3: Assemble thesis advisory committee, present and gain approval of thesis proposal.
• Years 3-5: Conduct thesis research. Publish work. Graduate!

For a more detailed description of the program of study, including the rules and procedures that govern the Plant Biology Ph.D. Program, please look in the Student Program Guidelines.