The Graduate Program in Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) is an interdepartmental program at Michigan State University.

Program Faculty Students
Dr. David Douches, Program Director
Dr. David Douches, Program Director

The Graduate Program in Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) is an interdepartmental program at Michigan State University. Our students research agronomic, forest and horticultural species and may choose from a broad array of educational courses. This program was established in 1981 and grants both the master's and doctoral degrees.

This program is a collaboration between faculty members from the MSU departments of Forestry, Horticulture, Plant Biology and Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. We offer state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, access to research greenhouses, farms, and specialized equipment on the MSU Campus. Our faculty also compete successfully for internal and external funding for research projects. New students have a high degree of flexibility in selecting a major professor, committee members and a thesis project among this talented group. MSU is particularly known for research, teaching and extension activities in the plant sciences; thus, strong support and resources are available to students in PBGB.

We invite you to learn more about the PBGB program on this web site or contact the PBGB Program Office.

Assistantship Opportunities Now Available in Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology

Financial support is now available through several Research Assistantships (RA's) in ongoing faculty programs. These funds recently became available through success by PBG faculty in obtaining on/off campus competitive grants. The research programs may involve agronomic, forest or horticultural commodities. Within these commodities scientific research is possible in a broad array of topics including, but not limited to:

  • applied breeding and genetics
  • molecular biology
  • disease, insect and herbicide resistances
  • abiotic stress factors
  • molecular mapping
  • quantitative genetics
  • gene isolation and genomics

Upon acceptance, the research assistantships are awarded by individual professors. There is no specific deadline for applying for these assistantships but they are competitive. You will not need to make a separate application for the RA as your admission application will also serve as an application for an RA, but you may want to contact the individual professors to express your interest. Contact Mackenzie Graham for further information and questions.

For Graduate Student Funding Opportunities visit:

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