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See how our current work and research is bringing new thinking and new solutions to some of today's biggest challenges.

Graduate Field of Plant Biology

Uncovering fundamental principles of plant biology and evolution

Cornell's Graduate Studies in Plant Biology are at the cutting edge of basic and translational plant research and offer top-ranked, interdisciplinary Ph.D. training. Students are tackling some of today’s toughest challenges; from a single strand of DNA to the global scale, plant biologists have contributions to make in genetics, medicine, climate change, agriculture and many other exciting and important areas.

Graduate Field of Plant Biology

World-renowned Cornell scientists with diverse interests and strengths are recruiting and teaching the next generation of plant scientists. Currently, 47 faculty members are affiliated with the Plant Biology Graduate Field. Given the breadth of faculty research, students choose from a variety of research areas and concentrations.

Historically, the Field of Plant Biology has been divided into nine "concentrations". Applicants must indicate a preference for one of these concentrations upon application but this selection does not commit you to a particular research area.

  • Cytology
  • Paleobotany
  • Plant Biochemistry
  • Plant Cell Biology
  • Plant Ecology
  • Plant Molecular Biology
  • Plant Morphology, Anatomy, and Biomechanics
  • Plant Physiology
  • Systematic Botany

Bailey Hortorium is one of many resources available to graduate students in Plant biology. The Hortorium is a major center for plant systematics, with a mission encompassing ethnobotany, paleobotany, biodiversity studies, and pharmaceutical studies of tropical plants.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Students in the PhD program typically do 6-8 week laboratory rotations before deciding on a research lab. They enroll in a set of core courses supplemented with selective courses tailored to students’ research interest. The weekly student seminar series is based on student thesis research with each student presenting once per year.

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More about Plant Biology
three people examining plants on a desk

Development, organelle biology, evolution and diversity, or systems biology - our students are making breakthroughs in many important research areas of plant biology

MPS Concentrations related to Plant Biology

The Master of Professional Studies in Integrative Plant Science is a one-year, STEM-designated, course-based master's degree program ideal for career-focused students. Several of the concentrations (below) are related to aspects of Plant Biology.

Plant biology research items.

Plant Biotechnology

Plant Biotechnology features coursework and hands-on laboratory work focused on scientific techniques to develop and improve plants for the benefit of society. It is designed to equip students for careers across corporate, governmental and non-governmental organization (NGOs) sectors.

Learn more about the Plant Biotechnology specialization.

Plant Breeding

Change the world by making better plants -- higher-yielding, healthier, better tasting, and more resistant to pests -- using applied breeding tools such as genetic mapping, quantitative genetics, molecular genomics , tissue culture, and other analytical systems.

Learn more about the Plant Breeding specialization.

Climate Change and Agriculture

Harness diverse scientific disciplines -- including global cropping systems, sustainable development, biogeochemistry, soil nutrient and carbon cycling, science policy, remote sensing and ecosystem modeling -- to help solve one the greatest challenges of our times.

Learn more about the Climate Change and Agriculture specialization.

Controlled Environment Agriculture

CEA is an advanced and intensive form agriculture where plants are grown in a controlled environment with optimized horticultural practices. This concentration emphasizes skills related to lighting, hydroponic production, pest control, and horticultural aspects of production.

Learn more about the Controlled Environment Agriculture specialization.

Hemp Science

The Hemp Sciences concentration is focused on the development of skills to understand plant breeding and genetics; field crop production; processing; and product development. Students will also have a broad-based understanding of the industry from seed to sales, exploring the legal and regulatory environment and challenges facing the hemp industry.

Learn more about the Hemp Science specialization.

Cannabis Science

The Cannabis Science concentration provides training in plant breeding and genetics; hydroponic and field crop production; processing; and product development. Students will also have a broad-based understanding of the cannabis industry from seed to sales, exploring the legal and regulatory environment and challenges facing the cannabis industry.

Learn more about the Cannabis Science specialization.

Plant Systems

Not finding what you’re looking for? Plant Systems is our most flexible concentration. It allows you to tailor a Cornell experience that works for you. Focus on anything from management of horticultural crops to human-plant interactions to environmental management to computational biology to garden-based learning and agricultural education.

Learn more about the Plant Systems specialization.