The PMB Graduate Program seeks to train students from a wide variety of backgrounds and to provide those students with interdisciplinary educational, research, and professional development experiences; opportunities to work on a broad range of cutting-edge research topics in plant and microbial biology; opportunities to conduct independent research, develop as innovative educators, and engage in community outreach; opportunities to participate in the national and international plant and microbial biology research community through seminars, colloquia, and conferences.
The PMB program expects students to develop the conceptual understanding, analytical skills, and technical knowledge that allow those students to make important contributions to our understanding of biology and that lay the foundation for professional success.
Disciplinary Competence-Knowledge and Scholarly Formation
Students will demonstrate:
- deep knowledge of a more specialized aspect of plant and microbial biological sciences. Students will be able to place research into the context of an integrating principle that is used across the biological sciences.
- proficiency in the design and practice of research relevant to their field of study.
- proficiency in working collaboratively on scientific projects.
- understanding of the process of scientific inquiry.
Professional development
Students will demonstrate skills needed in a variety of professional settings, such as teaching proficiency, project management, research group management, and leadership.
Communication skills
Students will:
- demonstrate proficiency in scientific oral and written communication.
- effectively communicate research in biology in written form.
- effectively present and defend research in biology to colleagues and peers.
- accurately describe the application of the professional practice, standards, and ethics of science.