Plant Biology and Conservation, MS
Plants are fundamental to life on Earth. Conducted jointly by ASU and the Desert Botanical Garden, this program nurtures future plant and environmental biologists. You'll be equipped with quantitative skills and knowledge of human dimensions relevant to dealing with global climate change, food insecurity and loss of biodiversity.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
In the Master of Science program in plant biology and conservation, you receive advanced training in plant molecular and cellular biology, biotechnology, functional genomics, paleobotany, ecology, evolution and floristics, as well as in the theory and practice of conservation biology.
You have the opportunity to work with faculty and researchers from ASU and the Desert Botanical Garden, located in Phoenix near ASU's Tempe campus.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours and a thesis
Required Core (3 credit hours) Research (3 credit hours) Electives (17 credit hours) Other Requirements (1 credit hour) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
PLB 502 Perspectives in Plant Biology (3)
PLB 592 Research (3)
BIO 591 Seminar (1)
PLB 599 Thesis (6)
Students should see the academic unit for a complete list of approved electives.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Able to review the literature relevant to a research question in plant biology and conservation.
- Able to execute a research plan of their own design to address a scientific question about plant biology and conservation.
- Able to communicate research findings clearly and accurately in oral presentations and in writing to the scientific community and to the public.
Able to review the literature relevant to a research question in plant biology and conservation.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in biology, botany or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants must submit the following: Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
The conservation field demonstrates a growing need for botanists and conservation biologists in academic institutions; agricultural, biotechnological and landscape companies; government agencies; and nongovernmental organizations.
A MS program in plant biology and conservation provides strong preparation for academic careers. The skills and knowledge obtained in this program are also valuable for government careers in federal and state agencies responsible for management and conservation, and for careers in industry and with nongovernmental organizations.
Career examples include:
- conservation scientist at a park, natural resource center, museum or national forest
- food and agriculture scientist in an academic, private or industrial lab
- instructor at a community college
- researcher or technician in a government lab or at a nonprofit organization
- science teacher in an elementary or high school
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Life Sciences
|
LSA 181
sols.grad@asu.edu
480-965-1768
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
