Doctoral Program

EPP offers a PhD degree in Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Nematology. The doctoral degree is evidence of exceptional scholarly attainment and demonstrated capacity in original investigation. Our PhD program prepares students to become leaders in their fields by equipping them with advanced research skills and expertise.

Concentrations

  • Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Molecular Interactions
  • Organismal Biology, Ecology, and Systematics
  • Sustainable Disease and Integrated Pest Management

Graduate Minor Options

A minor is not required but may be selected at the option of the student. In general, a minor will include 6 to 10 semester hours of graduate‑level credit in the minor department. The student’s graduate committee must include a faculty member from the minor department to assist in designating courses required for the minor.

  • Bioinformatics: Agriculture & Natural Resources
  • Entomology
  • Plant Pathology
Research lab manager places specimen into an incubator

Concurrent Master’s Degree

Applicants admitted to the EPP PhD program who have a BS degree, but no thesis-based MS degree, will be required to complete an MS degree during the course of their PhD program. The student will work with their graduate advisor to submit a manuscript based on their original research to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Choose from three concentrations:

  • Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Molecular Interactions
  • Organismal Biology, Ecology, and Systematics
  • Sustainable Disease and Integrated Pest Management Systems 

View our academic catalog to explore required credit hours, courses, and non-course requirements.

For more information on the program and whether it is a good fit for you, contact our Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Bonnie Ownley at eppgrad1@utk.edu. The UT Graduate Admissions website has information on applying to the Graduate School, as well as requirements for admission.

Your journey to a graduate degree starts with your application. Are you ready to take that first step?

Additional Resources

Graduate assistantships are the primary source of funding for graduate students at the University of Tennessee and are offered by academic departments and administrative offices of the university. An assistantship is a financial stipend for living expenses to a graduate student for part-time work in teaching, administration, or research while pursuing an advanced degree. Appointments are normally on a one-fourth to one-half time basis, usually requiring 10 – 20 hours of service per week (see Graduate Stipends). The annual stipend is payable in either nine or twelve monthly installments. In addition to the stipend, Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA), Graduate Teaching Associates (GTAssoc), Graduate Assistants (GA), and Graduate Research Assistants (GRA), with appointments on a one-fourth time basis or higher, are entitled to a waiver of maintenance fees (tuition) for the period of appointment in accordance with university policy. These appointments also include a benefit of health insurance for the student. 

All Ph.D. students are required to provide evidence of submission of at least one refereed journal article before graduation. The department encourages graduate student participation in national and regional meetings. The Thompson Student Development Endowment provides funds to support participation by students, especially those whose major advisor has insufficient funds, to participate in academic conferences. Every graduate student receives a travel stipend of $500 per year, which they can use towards travel to a regional or national meeting. The expectation is that the student will either present a paper or a poster, either in the student competition or in the regular sessions of a meeting. 


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