Master of Science - Plant Pathology

The Master of Science in Plant Pathology at Washington State University (WSU) is the study of plant diseases caused by pathogens and environmental factors; it involves study in mycology, bacteriology, nematology, virology, disease physiology and biochemistry, molecular biology of host-parasite relationships, etiology, ecology and epidemiology of plant diseases, disease resistance, and integrated disease management using cultural, chemical, biological and and biotechnological approaches. Because of its broad mission, the Department of Plant Pathology has strong interrelationships with all other plant- and biology-oriented departments and commodity groups within the state and nationally and internationally. The mission of the department reflects the strategic goals of WSU by advancing knowledge of plant pathology through creative research and scholarship, by extending that knowledge worldwide through the training of graduate students, and by applying the knowledge to protect the quality and quantity of the local and global food supply.

Learning Outcomes:

To enable students earning the M.S. in Plant Pathology to understand and apply the scientific method to plant pathological problems, to develop critical thinking and  professional skills needed for successful careers in public and private sectors, the program provides training and coursework to help students develop the following skills:

• Understanding, interpretation and synthesis of scientific literature pertaining to plant pathology and related disciplines.
• Formulating hypotheses; developing experimental designs to test these hypotheses; establishing and maintaining experiments.
• Collecting data in an objective way and conducting appropriate statistical analyses.
• Interpretation and presentation of research results in oral and written formats.
• Presentation of research at professional meetings and local commodity meetings.
• Publication of research in peer-reviewed scientific journals and other discipline-appropriate outlets such as commodity newsletters.

To maintain a leadership role in plant pathology and related disciplines at the state, national and international levels, the program aims to:

• Attract, retain and train high quality graduate students.
• Place students earning the M.S. into positions including extension agents, state and federal plant pathologists, instructors at the community college level, support  scientists in public or private sector research programs, and Ph.D. programs.
• Place students earning the Ph.D. as leaders of scientific research programs in the public or private sector including industry, and faculty positions at the University  level.

Student Opportunities:

Students will gain analytical and practical skills in carrying out field-, laboratory- and greenhouse-based research that prepare them to be competitive for employment in academic, government and industry laboratories. Students will be provided other professional development opportunities such as resume writing, interview skills, written and oral communication skills, public speaking and attendance at professional conferences.