About the course

As a graduate program within the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences (SPES), the core mission of the Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science (PPWS) program is to optimize plant productivity and quality by limiting the impact of biotic and abiotic stresses on the profitability of crops and other plant enterprises, as well as the impact of these stresses on natural and agricultural ecosystems. The program offers a Ph.D. degree in several areas of concentration within SPES: plant pathology, the study of diseases, plant pathogens and their management, plant physiology, the study of plant function, growth and development and response to environmental stresses, weed science, the study of weed biology, ecology and management, and molecular plant sciences, basic biology, biochemistry and genetics of plant and plant pathogen systems. At the master's level, PPWS students participate in the M.S. program in Life Sciences, which also allows flexibility among the different options. For the M.S., students apply to the MSLFS degree type and select PPWS as the program. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 3 Semester(s)Fees: Not available

Intake	Location
Spring (January), 2021	Blacksburg
Spring (January), 2024	Blacksburg
Fall (August), 2024	Blacksburg
Fall (September), 2024	Blacksburg
Spring (January), 2025	Blacksburg
Fall (September), 2025	Blacksburg
Spring (January), 2026	Blacksburg

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for Virginia Tech

Minimum GPA-3

　　Students entering PPWS degree programs must have a bachelor’s degree with relevant course work in the sciences.

　　Desirable undergraduate courses include: college mathematics, chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry, physics, courses in the biological and plant sciences, and genetics.

　　GRE scores are required by PPWS as part of a completed application portfolio. Although a minimum score is not mandated for admissions consideration, applicants are strongly encouraged to have a minimum combined verbal/quantitative score of 300 to be a competitive applicant.

　　The required minimum TOEFL score is 80. The TOEFL testing requirement is waived if one's bachelor's degree was conferred at an English speaking accredited university.

　　Transcripts- Official copies will be needed once an offer of admission has been extended. (Virginia Tech students do not need to submit official transcripts.)

　　Letters of Recommendation- We require three letters of recommendation. When submitting your application

　　Resume- A current resume reflecting work history and/or academic achievements.

　　Statement of Goals- A one to two page paper outlining your interest in graduate study in our program.

　　

English language requirements

　　6.0

　　Overall IELTS band score

　　Book IELTS

　　About IELTS

　　Practice and prepare

　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 90.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomesIf you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might want to explore pathway options at Virginia Tech. If you want to find out more, please speak to our counsellors.

　　Pathway options to study at this institution

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　251st / 1250

　　THE World ranking

　　

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