The plant science program is an interdisciplinary major in cooperation with the Departments of Agriculture, Biology, and Chemistry at Southwest Missouri State University. During the first semester, the student declares an area of specialization and selects an advisor. A study program and research project are designed to fit the student's career goals and academic interest. Students may pursue their thesis research project as soon as an area of specialization has been chosen, or may elect to start research in the third semester of study after their coursework has been completed. At the Department of Fruit Science, academic areas for research include plant genetic engineering, plant physiology, plant nutrition, fruit production, crop management systems, viticulture, and wine science.
Interdisciplinary studies advised by faculty from different departments also are possible.
The research is completed by the end of the fourth or fifth semester, at which time a comprehensive examination is taken and the thesis is defended. A number of graduate assistantships are available to students for both spring and fall semesters. Students granted an assistantship receive a stipend and a course fee waiver. The Department offers the Howard King Nason Memorial Assistantship to provide a graduate student salary for the summer months.