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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BOT 6935 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| PCB 5065 | Advanced Genetics | 4 |
| PCB 5530 | Plant Molecular Biology and Genomics | 3 |
| PCB 6528 | Plant Cell and Developmental Biology | 3 |
| PCB 6910 | Supervised Research | 1-5 |
| PCB 6937 | Special Topics in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology | 1-4 |
| PCB 6971 | Research for Master's Thesis | 1-15 |
| PCB 7922 | Journal Colloquy in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology | 1 |
| PCB 7979 | Advanced Research | 1-12 |
| PCB 7980 | Research for Doctoral Dissertation | 1-15 |
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ALS 5156 | Agricultural Ecology Principles and Applications | 3 |
| ALS 5905 | Individual Study | 1-4 |
| ALS 5932 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| ALS 6046 | Grant Writing | 2 |
| ALS 6166 | Exotic Species and Biosecurity Issues | 3 |
| ALS 6921 | Colloquium on Plant Pests of Regulatory Significance | 1 |
| ALS 6925 | Integrated Plant Medicine | 4 |
| ALS 6931 | Plant Medicine Program Seminar | 1 |
| ALS 6935 | Topics in Biological Invasions | 3 |
| ALS 6942 | Principles of Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management | 3 |
| ALS 6943 | Internship in Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management | 1-10 |
| ANS 6936 | Graduate Seminar in Animal Molecular and Cell Biology | 1-2 |
| BCH 5045 | Graduate Survey of Biochemistry | 4 |
| FYC 6422 | Policy Issues and Case Studies in Nonprofit Organizations | 3 |
| STA 6093 | Introduction to Applied Statistics for Agricultural and Life Sciences | 3 |
| STA 6329 | Matrix Algebra and Statistical Computing | 3 |
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