Botany and Plant Sciences

Subject abbreviation: BPSC, GNBT College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Thomas A. Eulgem, Ph.D., Chair Department Office, 2132 Batchelor Hall

• (951) 827-4619

Graduate Student Affairs (800) 735-0717 or

• (951) 827-5688

CNAS Undergraduate Advising Center

• (951) 827-7294 or (951) 827-3102

Professors

Julia N. Bailey-Serres, Ph.D. Distinguished

Professor of Genetics Meng Chen, Ph.D. Cell Biology Sean Cutler, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor of Plant Cell Biology Katayoon Dehesh, Ph.D. Distinguished

Professor of Molecular Biochemistry Thomas A. Eulgem, Ph.D. Plant Cell Biology Exequiel Ezcurra, Ph.D. Distinguished

Professor of Ecology Thomas Girke, Ph.D. Bioinformatics Venugopala R. Gonehal, Ph.D. Plant Cell Biology Darrel Jenerette, Ph.D. Landscape Ecology Bai-Lian “Larry” Li, Ph.D. Plant Ecology Adam J. Lukaszewski, Ph.D. Genetics David Nelson, Ph.D. Genetics Louis Santiago, Ph.D. Physiological Ecosystems Ecology Patricia S. Springer, Ph.D. Genetics Linda L. Walling, Ph.D. Genetics Shizhong Xu, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor of Genetics

Professors Emeriti

Edith B. Allen, Ph.D. Community/Restoration Ecology Timothy J. Close, Ph.D. Genetics Darleen A. DeMason, Ph.D. Botany Norman C. Ellstrand, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor of Genetics Janet Franklin, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor of Biogeography Arturo Gómez-Pompa, Ph.D. Botany Anthony E. Hall, Ph.D. Plant Physiology Robert L. Heath, Ph.D. Plant Physiology and Biophysics Jodie S. Holt, Ph.D. Plant Physiology Anthony H. C. Huang, Ph.D. Plant Physiology Elizabeth M. Lord, Ph.D. Botany/Developmental Biology Carol J. Lovatt, Ph.D. Plant Physiology Eugene A. Nothnagel, Ph.D. Plant Physiology Natasha Raikhel, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor of Plant Cell Biology Mikeal L. Roose, Ph.D. Genetics Irwin P. Ting, Ph.D. Plant Physiology J. Giles Waines, Ph.D. Genetics Susan Wessler, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor of Genetics

Associate Professors

Juan Pablo Giraldo, Ph.D. Plant Physiology Zhenyu Jia, Ph.D. Quantitative Genetics Amy Litt, Ph.D. Plant Evolution and Development Dawn Nagel, Ph.D. Genetics and Genomics Carolyn G. Rasmussen, Ph.D. Plant Cell Biology

Assistant Professors

Christopher P. Cano, Ph.D. Plant Ecology Adam Jozwiak, Ph.D., Molecular Biochemistry Daniel Koenig, Ph.D. Genetics Loralee Larios, Ph.D. Plant Ecology Sunil Kenchanmane Raju, Ph.D. Plant Resilience Danelle Seymour, Ph.D. Genetics

Professors of Extension

Mary Lu Arpaia, Ph.D. Subtropical

Horticulture James Baird, Ph.D. Turfgrass Horticulture Ashraf El-Kereamy, Ph.D. Subtropical

Horticulture Peggy A. Mauk, Ph.D. Subtropical Horticulture Milton E. McGiffen, Jr., Ph.D. Vegetable

Crops/Plant Physiology Donald J. Merhaut, Ph.D. Horticulture and

Floriculture Philippe E. Rolshausen, Ph.D. Subtropical Crops

Cooperating Faculty

Jorge Ferreira, Ph.D. (USDA Salinity Lab) Simon “Niels” Groen, Ph.D. (Nematology) Hailing Jin, Ph.D. (Microbiology and Plant

Pathology) Robert Jinkerson, Ph.D. (Chemical and

Environmental Engineering) Isgouhi Kaloshian, Ph.D. (Nematology) Kerry Mauck, Ph.D. (Entomology) Olakunle Olawole (Microbiology and Plant

Pathology) Erin Wilson Rankin, Ph.D. (Entomology) Joel Sachs, Ph.D. (Evolution, Ecology and

Organismal Biology) Devinder Sandhu, Ph.D. (USDA Salinity Lab) Jason Stajich, Ph.D. (Microbiology and Plant

Pathology) Ian Wheeldon, Ph. D. (Chemical and

Environmental Engineering) Tingting Xiang (Bioengineering)

The mission of the interdepartmental Undergraduate Program in Plant Biology is to provide students with a solid background in modern principles and research practices of basic Plant Biology and in their area of specialization.

Courses prerequisite to the major, courses used to satisfy major requirements, and the 11 units (for B.S. degree) related to the major must be taken for letter grades. Students may elect to take other courses on a Satisfactory (S)/No Credit (NC) basis. Refer to the Academic Regulations section of this catalog for additional information on “S/NC” grading.

Information about this program is available on the CNAS UAAC website at cnasstudent.ucr.edu.

Students planning to transfer to UCR with a major in Plant Biology must have a minimum GPA of 2.7 in transferable college courses and “C” or higher grades in a year sequence of general chemistry and in courses equivalent to our BIOL 005A, BIOL 005B. We also require that transfer students complete two quarters of college calculus (equivalent to our MATH 007A and 007B or our MATH 009A and MATH 009B) before admission. Exceptions may be granted by the faculty advisor.

See Undergraduate Studies section.

See College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Colleges and Programs section.

Some of the following requirements for the major may also fulfill some of the college’s breadth requirements. Consult with a department advisor for course planning.

The major requirements for the B.S. and B.A. degrees in Plant Biology are as follows:

• 1. Life Sciences core requirements

(72-77 units)

Students must complete all required courses with a grade of “C-” or better and with a cumulative GPA in the core courses of at least 2.0. Grades of “D” or “F” in two core courses, either separate courses or repetitions of the same course, are grounds for discontinuation from the major.

• a) BIOL 005A, BIOL 05LA or BIOL 020, BIOL 005B, BIOL 005C

• b) CHEM 001A, CHEM 01LA, CHEM 001B,

CHEM 01LB, CHEM 001C, CHEM 01LC

• c) CHEM 008A and CHEM 08LA or CHEM 008HA and CHEM 008HLA, CHEM 008B

and CHEM 08LB or CHEM 008HB and CHEM 008HLB, CHEM 008C and CHEM 08LC or CHEM 008HC and CHEM 08HLC

• d) MATH 007A or MATH 009A, MATH 007B

or MATH 009B (MATH 009C recommended)

• e) PHYS 002A, PHYS 02LA, PHYS 002B,

PHYS 02LB, PHYS 002C, PHYS 02LC

• f) STAT 010

• g) BCH 100 or BCH 110A (BCH 110A is

strongly recommended)

• 2. Upper-division requirements (38 units

for the B.S., 33 units for the B.A.)

A GPA of at least 2.0 in upper-division courses taken in the field of the major is a graduation requirement. A student is subject to discontinuation from the major whenever the GPA in upper-division course work is below 2.0. Students finding themselves in this circumstance must meet with an advisor.

• a) BIOL 102

• b) BPSC 104/BIOL 104

• c) BIOL 132/BPSC 132, BIOL 143/BPSC 143,

BPSC 133

• d) For the B.S. only: Two (2) units of BPSC 195H, BPSC 197, BPSC 198I, or BPSC 199

• e) BPSC 184

• f) BPSC 193 with a grade of C- or better

• g) For the B.S. At least 11 additional units

from one of the five areas of specialization (consult with a faculty advisor). Students may apply a maximum of 6 units of BPSC 190 and/or BPSC 195H and/or BPSC 197 and/or BPSC 198I and/or BPSC 199.

For the B.A. At least 8 additional units from one of the five areas of specialization (consult with a faculty advisor).

Note: Students planning a B.A. degree should schedule the required language courses in place of a series of electives.

Individual student career goals may be achieved by selecting an area of specialization within the diverse disciplines of botany and plant sciences. Adjustments within these programs can be made to accommodate students’ interests. Students must consult with a faculty advisor to clarify educational goals and to plan a program of study.

• 1. Plant Cellular, Molecular,

and Developmental Biology

• a) BPSC 135

• b) Additional units from the following to

meet either the B.S. or B.A. requirement: BCH 102,BCH 110B, BCH 110C or BIOL 107A, BCH 162, BCH 183/BPSC 183, BIOL 107B, BIOL 113, BIOL 114, BIOL 121/ MCBL 121, BIOL 121L/MCBL 121L, MCBL 121LS, BIOL 123/MCBL 123/PLPA 123, BIOL 155/BPSC 155, BIOL 168, BPSC 138/ BIOL 138, CBNS 101, CBNS 108, BPSC 109/CBNS 109, BPSC 149

• 2. Plant Genetics, Breeding,

and Biotechnology

• a) BPSC 150

• b) Additional units from the following to

meet either the B.S. or B.A. requirement:

BIOL 105, BIOL 107A, BIOL 107B, BIOL 108, BIOL 119, BIOL 148/BPSC 148, BIOL 155/BPSC 155, BPSC 135, CBNS 108, STAT 011, BPSC 109/CBNS 109, BPSC 149

• 3. Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics

• a) BPSC 146

• b) Additional units from the following to

meet either the B.S. or B.A. requirement:

BIOL 105, BIOL 108, BIOL 112/BPSC 112/ ENTM 112, BIOL 116, BIOL 116L, BIOL 138/ BPSC 138, BIOL 165/BPSC 165, BPSC 134/ ENSC 134, BPSC 166, ENSC 100, GEO 151, GEO 153, GEO 169, BPSC 145

• 4. Plant Pathology, Nematology,

and Pest Management

• a) BIOL 120/MCBL 120/PLPA 120

• b) Additional units from the following to

meet either the B.S. or B.A. requirement:

BCH 183/BPSC 183, BIOL 121/MCBL 121, BIOL 121L/MCBL 121L, MCBL 121LS, BIOL 124/MCBL 124, BPSC 146, BPSC 150, BPSC 166, ENSC 134/BPSC 134, ENTM 100/BIOL 100, ENTM 109, ENTM 124, ENTM 127/ BIOL 127, ENTM 129, ENTM 129L, ENSC 100, ENSC 120/NEM 120, NEM 159/BIOL 159, PLPA 120L/BIOL 120L/MCBL 120L, PLPA 123/BIOL 123/MCBL 123, PLPA 134/ BIOL 134, PLPA 134L/BIOL 134L, ENSC 104, MCBL 128

• 5. Individualized specialization

For students who wish to pursue cross-disciplinary education in plant biology. Course selection can be individualized, but needs to be approved by faculty advisor.

The minor in Plant Biology allows students majoring in other departments to obtain in-depth training in Plant Biology.

Requirements for the minor in Plant Biology are as follows:

• 1. BIOL 104/BPSC 104 (4 units)

• 2. One course (4–5 units) from the following:

BIOL 132/BPSC 132, BIOL 138/BPSC 138, BIOL 143/BPSC 143, BPSC 133

• 3. 12 to 20 units from the following:

BCH 183/BPSC 183, BIOL 132/ BPSC 132, BIOL 138/BPSC 138, BIOL 143/ BPSC 143, BIOL 148/BPSC 148, BIOL 155/ BPSC 155, BIOL 165/BPSC 165, BPSC 133, BPSC 134/ ENSC 134, BPSC 135, BPSC 146, BPSC 150, BPSC 166, BPSC 190, BPSC 195H, BPSC 197, BPSC 198-I, BPSC 199, PLPA 120/BIOL 120/ MCBL 120, BPSC 109/CBNS 109, BPSC 149

Note: No more than 4 units of BPSC 190–199 may be used to fulfill this requirement. The course used to fulfill the requirement in 2 cannot also be used to fulfill the requirement in 3.

See Minors under the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences in the Colleges and Programs section of this catalog for additional information on minors.

The Department of Botany and Plant Sciences offers programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Biology. Research in these programs can focus on basic and/or applied questions.

Admission Applicants who have a baccalaureate degree and who satisfy the general requirements of the university listed in the Graduate Studies section of this catalog are considered for admission to graduate status. Students applying to the M.S. and Ph.D. program must submit GRE General Test scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical).

Regardless of the area of their major for the baccalaureate degree, students must have had, or complete soon after entering graduate school the following:

• 1. A year of course work in general biology

• 2. A year of course work in general chemistry

• 3. A course in genetics

• 4. A course in biochemistry or ecology

• 5. A course in calculus

• 6. Two courses in physics and/or statistics

Credit from these courses does not count toward the graduate degree.

Immediately after being admitted, each student should identify a faculty advisor and consult with that advisor or the graduate advisor regarding educational goals; scheduling initial course work and possible lab rotations; and forming a guidance committee. Further guidance on these matters is provided in the Botany and Plant Sciences Graduate Student Handbook.

The Department of Botany and Plant Sciences offers programs leading to the M.S. degree in Plant Biology.

The master’s degree may be earned under Plan I (Thesis) or Plan II (Comprehensive Examination). Students must meet all general requirements of the Graduate Division. The detailed course program is determined by the guidance committee after considering the specific interests of the student. Department requirements are as follows:

Plan I (Thesis)

• 1. Three courses from Section I are required.

Students who have taken courses comparable to those in Section I during their baccalaureate training may have a portion or all of this section waived. Recommendations for waivers should specify alternative courses and should be sent to the department educational advisory committee for approval. In such instances, however, it is expected that their programs include increased units in courses from Sections II, III, and/or IV.

• 2. Two courses (6 units) from Section II are

required. In fulfilling the Section II requirement, students may use no more than one course cross-listed by Botany and Plant Sciences and another program. If such a cross-listed course is used toward fulfilling the Section II requirement, the same course may not be used toward fulfilling the Section I or III requirements. No more than four units may be in professional development courses.

• 3. At least 6 units from Section III must

be taken.

• 4. Preparation of a thesis: Not more than

12 units from Section V (299 units) may apply toward the degree. If the student takes research courses (290/297) from Section IV, not more than 6 units may be applied toward the degree. A total of 12 units of 297/299 may be used towards the degree.

Seminar Requirement All full-time students must enroll in the BPSC 250 seminar during each quarter in which it is offered. Part-time students must take one BPSC 250 seminar for every 12 units of courses. All students must present at least one BPSC 250 seminar and complete at least one quarter of BPSC 240 (or approved similar equivalent that involves substantial student presentations). Plan II (Comprehensive Examination)

• 1. Three courses from Section I are re

quired. Students who have taken courses comparable to those in Section I during their baccalaureate training may have a portion or all of this section waived. In such instances, however, it is expected that their programs include increased units in courses from Section II and/or III. Recommendations for waivers should specify alternative courses and should be sent to the educational advisory committee for approval.

• 2. Two courses (6 units) from Section II are

required. In fulfilling the Section II requirement, students may use no more than one course cross-listed by Botany and Plant Sciences and another program. If such a cross-listed course is used toward fulfilling the Section II requirement, the same course may not be used toward fulfilling the Section I or III requirements. No more than 4 units may be in professional development courses.

• 3. At least 3 courses (11-12 units) from

Section III are required.

• 4. Students must complete at least 6 units

from Section IV for a research project (297) or literature review (290), which should be described in a report to be submitted for evaluation by the comprehensive examination committee.

• 5. Comprehensive written and

oral examinations

Seminar Requirement All full-time students must enroll in the BPSC 250 seminar during each quarter in which it is offered. Part-time students must take one BPSC 250 seminar for every 12 units of courses. All students must present at least one BPSC 250 seminar and complete at least one quarter of BPSC 240 (or approved similar equivalent that involves substantial student presentations).

Courses available for fulfilling the requirement for the M.S. degree in Plant Biology:

Section I — Upper-division undergraduate courses: BCH 183/BPSC 183, BIOL 104/BPSC 104, BIOL 112/BPSC 112/ ENTM 112, BIOL 120/ MCBL 120/PLPA 120, BIOL 132/BPSC 132, BIOL 134/PLPA 134, BIOL 138/BPSC 138, BIOL 143/ BPSC 143, BIOL 148/BPSC 148, BIOL 155/BPSC 155, BIOL 165/BPSC 165, BPSC 109/CBNS 109, BPSC 133, BPSC 134/ ENSC 134/, BPSC 135, BPSC 146, BPSC 148, BPSC 149, BPSC 150, BPSC 166

Section II — Graduate and upper-division undergraduate courses in related departments or programs and professional development courses (i.e., BPSC 200A - BPSC 200B). Applicable courses are approved by theGraduateEducational AdvisoryCommittee. A minimum of 6 units of course work is required. No more than 4 units may be from professional development classes.

Professional Development Training Students are required to take BPSC 200A. Students are encouraged to enroll in BPSC 200B. Students may also enroll in BPSC 200C to develop skills in research mentoring in the life sciences. Section III — BCH 231/BPSC 231, BPSC 201 (E-Z) (for a maximum of 2 units), BPSC 221, BPSC 222, BPSC 225 (E-Z), BPSC 230, BPSC 231, BPSC 234, BPSC 235, BPSC 239, BPSC 240 (only if taken in addition to the required seminar units; see seminar requirement), BPSC 243, BPSC 244, BPSC 245, BPSC 246, and BPSC 247.

Section IV — Research courses: BPSC 290 and BPSC 297

Section V — Thesis research: BPSC 299, Thesis for Plan I

Normative Time to Degree 7 quarters

The Department of Botany and Plant Sciences offers programs leading to the Ph.D. degree in Plant Biology.

The student must meet the general requirements of the Graduate Division.

Admission Either prior to entering the graduate program or before advancement to candidacy, students must have completed the equivalent of BPSC 104 and one other course from the core plant biology courses (BIOL 107A, BPSC 132, BPSC 135, BPSC 138, BPSC 143, BPSC 146). Course requirements for each student are determined by individual guidance committees and by the educational advisory committee. No later than the second quarter in residence, students meet with a guidance committee to (1) determine a course program to be submitted to the educational advisory committee,and (2) choose a major area of specialization and two minor areas.

Course Work Guidance committees and students should design individual course programs that meet the specific needs of the student and the requirements of the Ph.D. program. Course programs should prepare students for the qualifying examination and dissertation research. All first-year students must enroll in BPSC 200A and 200B during their first Fall and Spring quarters. Students must take a minimum of 3 graduate-level courses (11-12 units) relevant to the specialization. Graduate courses taken previously may be considered towards fulfilling this requirement. Students’ course programs must be approved by the educational advisory committee. At the time of submission of course programs to the educational advisory committee, the area of specialization and two minor areas to be covered on the qualifying examination should be specified. Students may petition to change the course program, area of specialization, or minor areas at any time.

Students entering the Plant Biology Ph.D. program have four choices, as listed below. Students with a general interest in plant biology and/or evolution are encouraged to choose the first.

Ph.D. in Plant Biology Students who choose to obtain a Ph.D. in Plant Biology without one of the following concentrations are encouraged to – with the advice and consent of their Major Professor and Guidance Committee – select a set of graduate-level courses (11-12 U) that is specifically tailored to their individual research interests and career objectives. Students can also choose from one of three concentrations:

Ph.D. in Plant Biology (Concentration in Plant Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology) To earn the concentration in Plant Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology (appears on the transcript only), students must complete BPSC 231, and BPSC 235. In addition, the required BPSC 240 course must be on a topic related to the concentration.

Ph.D. in Plant Biology (Concentration in Plant Ecology) To earn the concentration in Plant Ecology (appears on the transcript only), students must complete BPSC 245, and two additional courses (7-8 units) from the following list: EEOB 211, EEOB 212, EEOB 217, EEOB 230, BPSC 225J, BPSC 243, BPSC 244, BPSC 246, BPSC 247, ENTM 241, ENSC 218, ENSC 232, GEO 260, and GEO 268. In addition, the required BPSC 240 course must be on a topic related to the concentration.

Ph.D. in Plant Biology (Concentration in Plant Genetics) To earn the concentration in Plant Genetics (appears on the transcript only), students must complete three graduate-level courses (11-12 units) relating to Genetics. Required courses must include two courses from the following list: BPSC 221, BPSC 222, BPSC 225K, BPSC 231, BPSC 234, EEOB 214, BIOL 221/MCBL 221/PLPA 226, GEN 240A. The additional units can be chosen in an area that supports the concentration. In addition, the required BPSC 240 course must be on a topic related to the concentration.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations Advancement to candidacy depends on the student passing written and oral qualifying examinations. The qualifying examination covers the student’s area of specialization and two minor areas. Granting of the degree is contingent upon acceptance of the dissertation by the candidate’s dissertation committee and satisfactory oral defense of the dissertation.

Oral Qualifying Exam and Final Defense Modality In-person oral qualifying exams and dissertation defense are strongly recommended, and every effort should be made to hold these discussions in person. However, if unusual circumstances exist that prohibit a fully in-person meeting, a hybrid or fully online option should be made available, in agreement with the committee chair and student, and approval by the graduate advisor (who may find it necessary to consult with the Graduate Educational Advisory Committee). If the oral qualifying exam and/or dissertation defense has been scheduled for in-person, but a committee member has emergency circumstances, then remote accommodation should be made available for that faculty member. The priority should be to hold the exam and/or defense on the originally scheduled day, unless extenuating circumstances prevent this.

Committee members nominated from outside the UC Academic Senate who participate remotely must have qualifications comparable to a UC Academic Senate member and submit a letter of intention and CV. In addition, strong academic justification for inclusion on the committee must be provided by the Graduate Advisor. Seminar Requirement All candidates must enroll in the BPSC 250 seminar during each quarter in which it is offered until advancement to candidacy. After this time, PhD candidates must enroll in BPSC 250 seminar two quarters per year until conferral of the degree. The dissertation defense is normally presented in the BPSC 250 seminar series; however, if necessary, a special seminar may be scheduled for the defense. Also, students must present at least one BPSC 250 seminar in addition to the defense of the dissertation. All students must complete at least one quarter of BPSC 240 (or approved equivalent that involves substantial student presentations) during the Ph.D. program.

Professional Development Training Ph.D. graduate students must enroll in BPSC 200A and BPSC 200B to fulfill their professional development training requirement. Students may enroll in BPSC 200C to develop skills in research mentoring in the life sciences.

Foreign Language Requirement None

Teaching Requirement Students must obtain at least one quarter of teaching experience.

Normative Time to Degree 15 quarters

Normative Time to Candidacy 2 years