Iowa State University (ISU) is a land-grant institution of international stature. Its location in an important agricultural region has fostered the development of strength in the agricultural and life sciences. Graduate education has always been an important component of the University's overall mission. Basic plant biology (Botany, Biochemistry and Genetics) and applied plant science (Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Pathology) represent fully accredited, strong, traditional graduate program offerings in agriculture and the life sciences.

The programs of study for IPB students are somewhat variable, depending on the home department and the background and goals of the individual, but a core of required courses ensures each student of a solid foundation in biochemistry, plant physiology and molecular biology. In addition to the required core courses, a wide selection of courses is available to students for focus in specific areas or broadening of their scientific education. The major provides students with a solid foundation in the functional aspects of basic plant biology within a highly interactive, interdisciplinary group, while encouraging them to design a truly interdisciplinary research program. The 42 members of the IPB Faculty at ISU have diverse research interests, including regulation of plant gene expression, gene mapping, plant biochemistry, stress physiology, plant development, and evolution biology.

IPB serves as an integrative force bringing together faculty and students with interests in basic questions about functional plant biology from several departments. IPB also provides a means for this somewhat diverse group of faculty from various departments, but with related research interests, to recruit graduate students collectively in the areas of plant biochemistry, plant molecular biology, plant cell biology, plant physiology, and plant organismal biology.

Students who are interested in Plant Science research should send their application directly to the program according to instructions in the Application and Admission.

Students may either:

1. Enter the IPB program directly, e.g. as a Biotechnology or Plant Sciences Fellow or an IPB Graduate Assistant, and choose a mentor and a home department by the end of their first year, or
2. Enter one of the participating departments immediately, with departmental support or support from a mentor, with IPB as the declared major.

In either case, degrees are awarded by the Graduate College, with a major in Plant Biology. The administration of proficiency, qualifying, comprehensive and/or other examination requirements are at the discretion of each individual Program of Study Committee. At the minimum, this represents a final, oral exam for the M.S., and a comprehensive preliminary examination (both written and oral) to establish Ph.D. candidacy, and a final, oral defense of the dissertation for the Ph.D.

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