Program Information

Director: Dr. Svetlana Folimonova
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Gilles Basset
Program Coordinator: Eliana Kampf                                                                                   

Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology (PCMB) is an interdisciplinary and interdepartmental graduate degree program that emphasizes understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that mediate plant development, adaptation, and evolution. Students can pursue an M.S. or a Ph.D. degree through the PMCB program. All students complete core courses in Advanced Genetics, Plant Molecular Biology and Genomics, Plant Cellular and Developmental Biology, and Plant Biochemistry. In addition to the core classes, students can select from a variety of courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, breeding, genetics, evolution, microbiology, and plant pathology.

New students are exposed to a variety of faculty and experimental systems while they rotate through several laboratories during their first two semesters before selecting an adviser and dissertation research area. Both M.S. and Ph.D. students take four required courses:

PCB 5065 Advanced Genetics (4 cr.), PCB 5530 Plant Molecular Biology and Genomics (3 cr.), PCB 6528 Plant Cell and Developmental Biology (3 cr.) and BOT 6935 Special Topics (1-4 cr.), as well as journal colloquium classes (PCB 7922 Journal Colloquy in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology (1 cr.)). Additional elective courses are taken after approval by the student’s supervisory committee. For additional information see http://pmcb.ifas.ufl.edu.

Successful candidates should have a strong interest in plant molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling development, metabolism, adaptation, and evolution. Applicants typically have a B.S. or M.S. in the agricultural, forestry, biological or chemical sciences.

Degrees Offered with a Major in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology

• Doctor of Philosophy
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Toxicology
• Master of Science

Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Courses

Plant molecular & Cellular biology (phd)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Describe and explain fundamental theories and concepts in plant biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, genetics and genomics, molecular biology and general plant biology.

 SLO 2    Knowledge        
Use critical thinking to evaluate research design and experiments.

SLO 3     Skills     
Critically evaluate the primary scientific literature.

SLO 4     Skills     
Complete plant biology research of sufficient quality to be published in peer-reviewed journals.

SLO 5     Skills     
Communicate effectively using scientific writing and oral presentation skills.

SLO 6     Professional Behavior   
Effectively work in teams with peers interacting honestly, ethically and with cultural sensitivity

Plant Molecular & Cellular Biology (MS)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Describe and explain fundamental theories and concepts in plant biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, genetics and genomics, molecular biology and general plant biology

SLO 2     Knowledge        
Use critical thinking to evaluate research design and experiments

SLO 3     Skills     
Critically evaluate the primary scientific literature

SLO 4     Skills     
Develop practical experimental research skills

SLO 5     Skills     
Communicate effectively using scientific writing and oral presentation skills

SLO 6     Professional Behavior   
Effectively work in teams with peers interacting honestly, ethically and with cultural sensitivity