Plant and Wildlife Sciences

Graduate Programs

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Environmental Science (MS)

The aims of the BYU environmental science program are to provide students with experiences that are spiritually strengthening, intellectually enlarging, and character-building that lead to lifelong learning and service. Addressing environmental issues with sound scientific principles and reasonable solutions is at the core of our teaching and research. As scientists and students we embrace the concepts that the earth and its resources are for the benefit and use of man and need to be carefully managed as part of our stewardship.

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Man standing on a rock in the wilderness

Genetics & Biotechnology (MS)

Genetics is the study of inheritance. Biotechnology is the application of modern DNA marker, isolation, and transfer technologies toward improving plant and animal agricultural productivity, environmental remediation, and the treatment of disease. These branches of biology have risen to prominence during the course of the past fifteen years and are widely recognized for their potential impact upon society in the twenty-first century. Employment opportunities in industry and academia are especially plentiful for graduates with advanced degrees in genetics and biotechnology. All emphases require original research topics with the results presented in thesis format. This research is expected to be of a publication quality and thesis style best reflecting that of a professional journal, thus facilitating timely submissions for publication. We also encourage formal presentations at professional meetings.

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Wildlife & Wildlands Conservation (MS)

This program emphasizes the scientific method in developing critical thinking and analytical skills applied to conservation and management problems related to wildlife ecology, wildlands, restoration science and/or rangeland ecology. Depending on the emphasis, advanced training in topic specialties may be complemented by courses in statistics, geographical information systems (GIS), soil sciences, model testing, systematics, or advanced ecology. All emphases require original research topics with the results presented in thesis format. This research is expected to be of a publication quality and thesis style best reflecting that of a professional journal, thus facilitating timely submissions for publication. We also encourage formal presentations at professional meetings.

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Wildlife & Wildlands Conservation (PhD)

This program emphasizes the scientific method in developing critical thinking and analytical skills applied to conservation and management problems related to wildlife ecology, wildlands, restoration science and/or rangeland ecology. Depending on the emphasis, advanced training in topic specialties may be complemented by courses in statistics, geographical information systems (GIS), soil sciences, model testing, systematics, or advanced ecology. All emphases require original research topics with the results presented in dissertation format. This research is expected to be of a publication quality and dissertation style best reflecting that of a professional journal, thus facilitating timely submissions for publication.

Faculty

See a full list of Plant and Wildlife Sciences department graduate faculty

Courses

See all Plant and Wildlife Sciences graduate courses

Contact

4112 LSB
(801) 422-9389
pws-grad-advisor@byu.edu
Department Website

The Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences offers graduate training and education in a variety of areas: plant sciences, biotechnology, genetics, environmental science, ecology, soil science, and wildlife and wildlands conservation. Those admitted to this program will have completed BS degrees with strong backgrounds in the basic mathematical, physical, and biological sciences. Students completing requirements in our graduate degree programs will be prepared to accept employment in plant genetics, biotechnology, conservation, ecology, environmental science, wildland and wildlife management, or consulting or to continue graduate education toward a PhD and postgraduate studies.

Four degrees are offered through the Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences: Environmental Science—MS; Genetics and Biotechnology—MS; Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation—MS; and Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation—PhD.

These graduate programs are supported by faculty members within the department. Their research and teaching interests include wildland ecology, wildlife biology, plant ecology, genetics and biotechnology, plant growth under environmental stress, urban landscape environments, bioremediation of contaminated soils and water, and both modern and ancient agricultural environments. All MS and PhD degrees are earned in thesis-only programs. Students are expected to present their theses in the form of one or more manuscripts ready for submission to refereed journals.

Chair: Randy Larsen
Graduate Coordinator: Bradley Geary