Twin Cities campus

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Twin Cities Campus

Plant and Microbial Biology M.S.

Plant and Microbial Biology
College of Biological Sciences
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Plant and Microbial Biology Graduate Program, 1479 Gortner Avenue, Suite 140, St. Paul, MN 55108 (612-625-4222; fax: 612-625-1738)
Email: pmb@umn.edu
Website: https://cbs.umn.edu/academics/departments/pmb/graduate-education
  • Program Type: Master's
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2021
  • Length of program in credits: 30
  • This program does not require summer semesters for timely completion.
  • Degree: Master of Science
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General Information section of this website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Plant and microbial biology encompasses all aspects of plant and microbial life, from molecular biology to genomics to ecosystem science. Students study plants from the subcellular and molecular to the whole plant and community levels of biological organization. They also have opportunities for laboratory and field research at state, national, and international levels. Each student's program is planned to meet individual requirements within the framework of a multidisciplinary core of coursework.
Program Delivery
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program is 3.00.
Special Application Requirements:
Students are admitted to the M.S. program only under special arrangement with a faculty advisor. The deadline to apply is December 1. Refer to the Plant and Microbial Biology website for full details on application requirements and procedures: https://cbs.umn.edu/academics/departments/pmb/graduate-education.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
  • TOEFL
    • Internet Based - Total Score: 79
    • Internet Based - Writing Score: 21
    • Internet Based - Reading Score: 19
  • IELTS
    • Total Score: 6.5
  • MELAB
    • Final score: 80
Key to test abbreviations (TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the General Information section of this website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires 14 major credits, 6 credits outside the major, and 10 thesis credits. The final exam is oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires 24 major credits and 6 credits outside the major. The final exam is oral. A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project:The Plan B requires one to three research papers, which may be written in conjunction with graduate courses.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 1 semesters must be completed before filing a Degree Program Form.
Significant field or laboratory experience and competence in statistics, to include hypothesis testing, regression, and correlation are required. Degree programs are planned by the student and an advisory committee of three faculty members to meet the student's interests and needs.
Core Coursework (6 credits)
Take the following required courses. Take 1 credit of PMB 8900 3 times for a total of 3 credits: section 001 (PMB colloquium), section 002 (Itasca orientation seminar), and section 003 (PMB graduate students seminar).
PMB 8081 - Succeeding in Graduate School: Skills, Ethics, and Beyond (3.0 cr)
PMB 8900 - Seminar (1.0 cr)
Professional development requirement
Participate in at least one professional development activity. Options to fulfill this requirement include, but are not limited to: courses (e.g., GRAD 8101 Preparing Future Faculty, BIOL 8100 Improvisation for Scientists), workshops (e.g., career planning, research group management, teaching skills, leadership development), internships in industry.
Plan Options
Plan A
Select at least 14 credits from the following in consultation with the academic advisor and advisory committee, and with director of graduate studies approval, to complete the 20 course credits required. A maximum of 2 4xxx-level courses is allowed.
Take 14 or more credit(s) from the following:
· AGRO 5xxx
· AGRO 8xxx
· BBE 5302 - Biodegradation of Bioproducts (3.0 cr)
· BBE 5608 - Environmental and Industrial Microbiology (3.0 cr)
· BIOC 4331 - Biochemistry I: Structure, Catalysis, and Metabolism in Biological Systems (4.0 cr)
· BIOC 4332 - Biochemistry II: Molecular Mechanisms of Signal Transduction and Gene Expression (4.0 cr)
· BIOC 4521 - Introduction to Physical Biochemistry (3.0 cr)
· BIOC 5xxx
· BIOL 4003 - Genetics (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 4004 - Cell Biology (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 5xxx
· BIOL 8100 - Improvisation for Scientists (1.0 cr)
· CSCI 5xxx
· EEB 4611 - Biogeochemical Processes (3.0 cr)
· EEB 5xxx
· EEB 8xxx
· ESCI 8801 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· ESPM 5071 - Ecological Restoration (4.0 cr)
· FNRM 5xxx
· FNRM 8xxx
· FW 8051 - Statistical Modeling of Ecological Data using R and WinBugs/JAGS (4.0 cr)
· GCD 5xxx
· GCD 8xxx
· GEOG 8260 - Seminar: Physical Geography (2.0 cr)
· GRAD 5xxx
· GRAD 8xxx
· HORT 5xxx
· HORT 8xxx
· LAAS 5311 - Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy (3.0 cr)
· LAAS 5621 - Environmental Genomics and Microbiomes (3.0 cr)
· MICB 4xxx
· NR 5021 - Statistics for Agricultural and Natural Resource Professionals (3.0 cr)
· PLPA 5xxx
· PLPA 8xxx
· PMB 4xxx
· PMB 5xxx
· PMB 8xxx
· STAT 5xxx
· STAT 8xxx
Thesis Credits
Take 10 master's thesis credits.
PMB 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's (1.0-18.0 cr)
-OR-
Plan B
Select at least 24 credits from the following in consultation with the academic advisor and advisory committee, and with director of graduate studies approval, to complete the 30-credit minimum. A maximum of 2 4xxx-level courses is allowed.
Take 24 or more credit(s) from the following:
· AGRO 5xxx
· AGRO 8xxx
· BBE 5302 - Biodegradation of Bioproducts (3.0 cr)
· BBE 5608 - Environmental and Industrial Microbiology (3.0 cr)
· BIOC 4331 - Biochemistry I: Structure, Catalysis, and Metabolism in Biological Systems (4.0 cr)
· BIOC 4332 - Biochemistry II: Molecular Mechanisms of Signal Transduction and Gene Expression (4.0 cr)
· BIOC 4521 - Introduction to Physical Biochemistry (3.0 cr)
· BIOC 5xxx
· BIOL 4003 - Genetics (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 4004 - Cell Biology (3.0 cr)
· BIOL 5xxx
· BIOL 8100 - Improvisation for Scientists (1.0 cr)
· CSCI 5xxx
· EEB 4611 - Biogeochemical Processes (3.0 cr)
· EEB 5xxx
· EEB 8xxx
· ESCI 8801 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· ESPM 5071 - Ecological Restoration (4.0 cr)
· FNRM 5xxx
· FNRM 8xxx
· FW 8051 - Statistical Modeling of Ecological Data using R and WinBugs/JAGS (4.0 cr)
· GCD 5xxx
· GCD 8xxx
· GEOG 8260 - Seminar: Physical Geography (2.0 cr)
· GRAD 5xxx
· GRAD 8xxx
· HORT 5xxx
· HORT 8xxx
· LAAS 5311 - Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy (3.0 cr)
· LAAS 5621 - Environmental Genomics and Microbiomes (3.0 cr)
· MICB 4xxx
· NR 5021 - Statistics for Agricultural and Natural Resource Professionals (3.0 cr)
· PLPA 5xxx
· PLPA 8xxx
· PMB 4xxx
· PMB 5xxx
· PMB 8xxx
· STAT 5xxx
· STAT 8xxx
 
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· College of Biological Sciences

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2022

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PMB 8081 - Succeeding in Graduate School: Skills, Ethics, and Beyond
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
What to expect and developing skills for succeeding in graduate school. Research ethics training. Reading/evaluating primary literature. Oral presentations. Exploring career options. prereq: Plant and Microbial Biology grad student or instr consent
PMB 8900 - Seminar
Credits: 1.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Current scientific research.
BBE 5302 - Biodegradation of Bioproducts
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: BBE 4302/BBE 5302/BP 4302/5302
Typically offered: Every Spring
Organisms and their importance to bio-based products: deterioration, control, bioprocesses for benefit. prereq: Grad student or instr consent
BBE 5608 - Environmental and Industrial Microbiology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: BBE 4608/BBE 5608
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Microbes, including fungi, bacteria, and other small-scale organisms, are the pioneer life of the planet, shaping and maintaining the ecosystem. Microbiology is the discipline that studies the basic biology and fundamental processes of microbes, with the aim of answering and solving the relevant environmental and industrial questions. Microbiology remains a frontier, but has developed significantly in recent years. Growth in this research area is largely due to vast improvements in molecular tools (for example: genome sequencing and editing, microscopes, data analysis) and other biochemical techniques, often driven by interest in emergent applications for these unique organisms. These applications include those related to protecting environmental quality as well as those related to making novel products, including materials, fuels, and chemicals. These also include understanding the roles of microbes in the natural nutrient cycles and other key natural processes. This course is therefore designed to introduce students to the taxonomy, biology and ecology of microbes, and to focus on key applications for which these microbes can be applied. prereq: Graduate Student
BIOC 4331 - Biochemistry I: Structure, Catalysis, and Metabolism in Biological Systems
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: BioC 3021/BioC 3022/BioC 4331/
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Advanced survey of structure/catalysis, metabolism/bioenergetics. prereq: (BIOL 1009 or 2003 or equiv) AND (Chem 2302 or CHEM 2081/2085 or equiv)
BIOC 4332 - Biochemistry II: Molecular Mechanisms of Signal Transduction and Gene Expression
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Advanced survey of molecular biology. Mechanisms of gene action/biological regulation. prereq: BioC 4331 or Bioc 3201 or BioC 3022
BIOC 4521 - Introduction to Physical Biochemistry
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Physical chemical principles, their applications in biochemistry. Thermodynamics, kinetics, spectroscopy, solution dynamics as applied to biochemical reactions/ biopolymers. prereq: 4331 recommended, (Chem 1081 or 1061 and 1065) AND (Physics 1221 or 1201W or 1301W) required
BIOL 4003 - Genetics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 4003/GCD 3022
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Genetic information, its transmission from parents to offspring, its expression in cells/organisms, and its course in populations. prereq: Biol 2003/2003H or BioC 3021 or BioC 4331 or grad
BIOL 4004 - Cell Biology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 4004/GCD 3033/4005W
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Processes fundamental to cells. Emphasizes eukaryotic cells. Assembly/function of membranes/organelles. Cell division, cell form/movement, intercellular communication, transport, secretion pathways. Cancer cells, differentiated cells. prereq: Completion of Biol 4003 is preferred, Biol2003/2003H or Biol4003 or grad
BIOL 8100 - Improvisation for Scientists
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: S-N or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This is a 7-week course designed to practice a wide array of strategies in order to gain awareness and control over your personal expression. Students will develop more effective ways to expand their ability to navigate the stress generally associated with delivering content in front of others. By learning how to manage their personal expression more effectively, students will be able to use specific tools in order to adapt their expression to various settings (large audiences, small groups, or one on one interviews/counseling). Adapting exercises from techniques such as improvisation and storytelling, this class will provide a comfortable and safe environment for students who want to expand their confidence when presenting for others.
EEB 4611 - Biogeochemical Processes
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: EEB 4611/EEB 5611
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Application of biochemistry, ecology, chemistry, and physics to environmental issues. Issues in biogeochemistry. Impact of humans on biogeochemical processes in soils, lakes, oceans, estuaries, forests, urban/managed ecosystems, and extreme environments (e.g., early Earth, deep sea vents, thermal springs). prereq: [BIOL 1009 or 2003] AND [CHEM 1081 or 1061 or 1071H] or instr consent
ESPM 5071 - Ecological Restoration
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: ESPM 5071/Hort 5071
Typically offered: Every Fall
Each ecosystem restoration is the product of a myriad of decisions made in response to existing site conditions (biotic and abiotic), anticipated effects from the surrounding landscape, predictions about future events, logistical realities, and, of course, desired conditions. During this course, you will learn about the ecological and social factors that affect ecosystem recovery and how people intervene to reverse ecosystem degradation. The course includes examples from ecosystems around the world, with emphasis on those found in the Midwestern US. Field trips. PREREQUISITES: This course presumes previous courses in basic ecology and plant science.
FW 8051 - Statistical Modeling of Ecological Data using R and WinBugs/JAGS
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Prerequisites: Graduate-level statistics class, [working knowledge of program R or #]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Regression methods for modeling ecological data. Real world examples from ecology, as well as environmental/natural resource sciences/management. Computer-based solutions using R/Bayesian modeling software. prereq: Graduate-level statistics class, [working knowledge of program R or instr consent]
GEOG 8260 - Seminar: Physical Geography
Credits: 2.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Topics of contemporary research. Topics vary with interests of faculty offering course.
LAAS 5311 - Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Structural chemistry, origin/identification of crystalline soil clay minerals. Structure of soil organic matter. Chemical processes in soil: solubility, adsorption/desorption, ion exchange, oxidation/reduction, acidity, alkalinity. Solution of problems related to environmental degradation, plant nutrition, and soil genesis. prereq: [[Chem 1022 or equiv], Phys 1102, grad] or instr consent
LAAS 5621 - Environmental Genomics and Microbiomes
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course deals with molecular and genomic approaches to answer ecological questions related to environmental sciences. The course focuses on microbial community analysis and (meta)genomics, but also covers transcriptomics and other omics approaches. It includes hands-on computer exercises to learn basic bioinformatics with python and R. prereq: college-level courses in microbiology
NR 5021 - Statistics for Agricultural and Natural Resource Professionals
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: AnSc 3011/ESPM 3012/NR 5021/St
Typically offered: Every Spring
This course is designed for graduate students in the agricultural, environmental, natural resources, and other related programs that require an understanding of statistics and applied quantitative research. Course content focuses on data analysis approaches using common statistical methods, e.g., probability and distributions, simple linear, multiple, and logistic regression, linear models, and analysis of variance. This course is completely online and asynchronous. prereq: College algebra or instructor consent
PMB 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's
Credits: 1.0 -18.0 [max 50.0]
Grading Basis: No Grade
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Thesis Credits: Master's prereq: Max 18 cr per semester or summer; 10 cr total required [Plan A only]
BBE 5302 - Biodegradation of Bioproducts
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: BBE 4302/BBE 5302/BP 4302/5302
Typically offered: Every Spring
Organisms and their importance to bio-based products: deterioration, control, bioprocesses for benefit. prereq: Grad student or instr consent
BBE 5608 - Environmental and Industrial Microbiology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: BBE 4608/BBE 5608
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Microbes, including fungi, bacteria, and other small-scale organisms, are the pioneer life of the planet, shaping and maintaining the ecosystem. Microbiology is the discipline that studies the basic biology and fundamental processes of microbes, with the aim of answering and solving the relevant environmental and industrial questions. Microbiology remains a frontier, but has developed significantly in recent years. Growth in this research area is largely due to vast improvements in molecular tools (for example: genome sequencing and editing, microscopes, data analysis) and other biochemical techniques, often driven by interest in emergent applications for these unique organisms. These applications include those related to protecting environmental quality as well as those related to making novel products, including materials, fuels, and chemicals. These also include understanding the roles of microbes in the natural nutrient cycles and other key natural processes. This course is therefore designed to introduce students to the taxonomy, biology and ecology of microbes, and to focus on key applications for which these microbes can be applied. prereq: Graduate Student
BIOC 4331 - Biochemistry I: Structure, Catalysis, and Metabolism in Biological Systems
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: BioC 3021/BioC 3022/BioC 4331/
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Advanced survey of structure/catalysis, metabolism/bioenergetics. prereq: (BIOL 1009 or 2003 or equiv) AND (Chem 2302 or CHEM 2081/2085 or equiv)
BIOC 4332 - Biochemistry II: Molecular Mechanisms of Signal Transduction and Gene Expression
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Advanced survey of molecular biology. Mechanisms of gene action/biological regulation. prereq: BioC 4331 or Bioc 3201 or BioC 3022
BIOC 4521 - Introduction to Physical Biochemistry
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Physical chemical principles, their applications in biochemistry. Thermodynamics, kinetics, spectroscopy, solution dynamics as applied to biochemical reactions/ biopolymers. prereq: 4331 recommended, (Chem 1081 or 1061 and 1065) AND (Physics 1221 or 1201W or 1301W) required
BIOL 4003 - Genetics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 4003/GCD 3022
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Genetic information, its transmission from parents to offspring, its expression in cells/organisms, and its course in populations. prereq: Biol 2003/2003H or BioC 3021 or BioC 4331 or grad
BIOL 4004 - Cell Biology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 4004/GCD 3033/4005W
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Processes fundamental to cells. Emphasizes eukaryotic cells. Assembly/function of membranes/organelles. Cell division, cell form/movement, intercellular communication, transport, secretion pathways. Cancer cells, differentiated cells. prereq: Completion of Biol 4003 is preferred, Biol2003/2003H or Biol4003 or grad
BIOL 8100 - Improvisation for Scientists
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: S-N or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This is a 7-week course designed to practice a wide array of strategies in order to gain awareness and control over your personal expression. Students will develop more effective ways to expand their ability to navigate the stress generally associated with delivering content in front of others. By learning how to manage their personal expression more effectively, students will be able to use specific tools in order to adapt their expression to various settings (large audiences, small groups, or one on one interviews/counseling). Adapting exercises from techniques such as improvisation and storytelling, this class will provide a comfortable and safe environment for students who want to expand their confidence when presenting for others.
EEB 4611 - Biogeochemical Processes
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: EEB 4611/EEB 5611
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Application of biochemistry, ecology, chemistry, and physics to environmental issues. Issues in biogeochemistry. Impact of humans on biogeochemical processes in soils, lakes, oceans, estuaries, forests, urban/managed ecosystems, and extreme environments (e.g., early Earth, deep sea vents, thermal springs). prereq: [BIOL 1009 or 2003] AND [CHEM 1081 or 1061 or 1071H] or instr consent
ESPM 5071 - Ecological Restoration
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: ESPM 5071/Hort 5071
Typically offered: Every Fall
Each ecosystem restoration is the product of a myriad of decisions made in response to existing site conditions (biotic and abiotic), anticipated effects from the surrounding landscape, predictions about future events, logistical realities, and, of course, desired conditions. During this course, you will learn about the ecological and social factors that affect ecosystem recovery and how people intervene to reverse ecosystem degradation. The course includes examples from ecosystems around the world, with emphasis on those found in the Midwestern US. Field trips. PREREQUISITES: This course presumes previous courses in basic ecology and plant science.
FW 8051 - Statistical Modeling of Ecological Data using R and WinBugs/JAGS
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Prerequisites: Graduate-level statistics class, [working knowledge of program R or #]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Regression methods for modeling ecological data. Real world examples from ecology, as well as environmental/natural resource sciences/management. Computer-based solutions using R/Bayesian modeling software. prereq: Graduate-level statistics class, [working knowledge of program R or instr consent]
GEOG 8260 - Seminar: Physical Geography
Credits: 2.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Topics of contemporary research. Topics vary with interests of faculty offering course.
LAAS 5311 - Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Structural chemistry, origin/identification of crystalline soil clay minerals. Structure of soil organic matter. Chemical processes in soil: solubility, adsorption/desorption, ion exchange, oxidation/reduction, acidity, alkalinity. Solution of problems related to environmental degradation, plant nutrition, and soil genesis. prereq: [[Chem 1022 or equiv], Phys 1102, grad] or instr consent
LAAS 5621 - Environmental Genomics and Microbiomes
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course deals with molecular and genomic approaches to answer ecological questions related to environmental sciences. The course focuses on microbial community analysis and (meta)genomics, but also covers transcriptomics and other omics approaches. It includes hands-on computer exercises to learn basic bioinformatics with python and R. prereq: college-level courses in microbiology
NR 5021 - Statistics for Agricultural and Natural Resource Professionals
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: AnSc 3011/ESPM 3012/NR 5021/St
Typically offered: Every Spring
This course is designed for graduate students in the agricultural, environmental, natural resources, and other related programs that require an understanding of statistics and applied quantitative research. Course content focuses on data analysis approaches using common statistical methods, e.g., probability and distributions, simple linear, multiple, and logistic regression, linear models, and analysis of variance. This course is completely online and asynchronous. prereq: College algebra or instructor consent