Plant Pathology
Degree: BS
Campus: Columbus
College: Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Plant pathology, the study of plant disease, is at the forefront of challenges in food security and the environment. Plant pathologists specialize in plant health, just like doctors specialize in human health and veterinarians in animal care. Some examples:
- Crops and forests are threatened by diseases and pests, and new invasive threats arrive each year
- Chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease have devastated forests and landscapes
- Even chocolate is threatened by cacao disease in South America
The plant pathology major prepares students for a number of careers:
- Research
- Teaching
- Plant production in universities
- Government agencies
- Agriculture/horticulture companies
Cutting-edge areas include:
- Sustainable disease management methods
- Beneficial fungi
- Microbes
- Food safety
By protecting plants from diseases and pests, plant pathologists play a key role in enhancing food security, global sustainability and human welfare.
Admitted students who indicate their major as plant pathology on their application directly enroll in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Each plant pathology student is assigned a faculty advisor who helps the student develop a course plan tailored to the student’s interests and provides mentorship and guidance throughout the program.
The plant pathology curriculum includes a solid background in the sciences augmented by in-depth courses, such as:
- Plant pathology
- Plant science
- Biology
- Microbiology
- And more
Required courses
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Soil science
Electives
- Plant pathology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Soil science
- Entomology
- Horticulture
- Crop science
- Microbiology
- Plant biology
Other requirements
Students must also complete a minor (12–15 credit hours). Students may select from over 100 minors at Ohio State. Common minors declared by plant pathology majors:
- Environmental science
- Sustainable agriculture
- Agribusiness
- Agronomy
- Landscape design and management
- Turfgrass management
- Food safety
The College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences offers several opportunities for students to study abroad to experience an array of cultures and learn about different agricultural and ecological systems firsthand.
Students must complete an internship as part of the plant pathology degree, which can range from work experience in industry to research in a university laboratory. Faculty advisors and academic staff can help students find internships that complement their career goals and interests.
Many plant pathology students become engaged in undergraduate research with faculty on the Columbus or Wooster campuses. A research thesis option is available to any student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students who complete a research thesis and fulfill specified requirements can graduate with research distinction. Students have opportunities to present their research at university or local symposia and even national meetings.
Plant health experts work to address critical needs in areas like:
- Food production
- Food safety
- Ecosystem and landscape management
- Biobased technologies
Many graduates go on to work in:
- Private sector: research and diagnostic laboratories
- Universities: research and diagnostic laboratories
- Government agencies: state and federal agriculture departments or regulatory agencies
- Ohio State Extension: outreach
Many plant pathology majors go on to pursue graduate degrees for career advancement in research, teaching or in industry. Students of this program have gained admission to highly regarded graduate programs in the U.S. and around the world.
Salaries are variable depending on a graduate’s experience, background and area of specialization, with an average starting annual salary of around $40,000-$50,000. Students with graduate degrees can expect to earn more than graduates with bachelor’s degrees.
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Future students
Academic info
The Department of Plant Pathology is among the best in the nation and one of only a few departments that offer an undergraduate degree in plant pathology.
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