Graduate Faculty

701-231-8362

Tika Adhikari, Ph.D.
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and University of the Philippines at Los Banos, 1991
Research Interests:
Plant Disease Epidemiology, Population Genetics, Genomics and Molecular Genetics of Host-Pathogen Interactions in Wheat

Samuel Markell, Ph.D.
University of Arkansas, 2007
Research Interests:
Extension Plant Pathology, Rust Diseases, IPM, Emerging Diseases, Chemical Control

Luis del Rio, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1999
Research Interests:
Canoloa Diseases Management and Control, Biological Control, Epidemiology and modeling

Timothy L. Friesen, Ph.D. (USDA/ARS adjunct)
North Dakota State University, 2001
Research Interests:
Host Parasite Interactions of Foliar Diseases of Cereals

Michael C. Edwards, Ph.D. (USDA/ARS adjunct)
Cornell University, 1983
Research Interests:
Virology, Cereal Virus Diseases

Thomas P. Freeman, Ph.D.
Arizona State University, 1968
Research Interests:
Plant Structure, Light and Electron Microscopy, Ultrastructure of Chloroplasts

Rubella Goswami, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 2005
Research Interests:
Dry Bean/Pulse Crop Pathology, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Fungal Biology, Molecular Biology and Genomics

Neil C. Gudmestad, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1982
Research Interests:
Ecology and Epidemiology of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, Foliar Diseases of Potato

Thomas J. Gulya, Ph.D. (USDA/ARS adjunct)
Iowa State University, 1978
Research Interests:
Downy Mildew, Rust, Phomopsis Stem Canker, Sclerotinia Wilt of Sunflower

Mohamed Khan, Ph.D.
Clemson University, 1998
Research Interests:
Sugarbeet Management

Joseph M. Krupinsky, Ph.D. (USDA/ARS adjunct)
Montana State University, 1977
Research Interests:
Plant Diseases Associated with Conservation Tillage-Crop Production Systems and Grasses

Marcia P. McMullen, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1983
Research Interests:
Extension Plant Pathology, Management of Cereal Diseases, and IPM

Steven W. Meinhardt, Ph.D.
University of Illinois, 1984
Research Interests:
Structure/Function Relationships in Enzymes and Toxins

Stephen M. Neate, Ph.D.
University of Adelaide, 1985
Research Interests:
Management of Barley Diseases, Ecology of Fungal Pathogens of Cereals

Berlin D. Nelson, Ph.D.
Washington State University, 1979
Research Interests:
Oilseed Diseases, Biological Control, Mycology

Jack B. Rasmussen, Ph.D.
Michigan State University, 1987
Research Interests:
Molecular Biology and Role in Disease of Pathogen-Produced Toxins, Genetics of Resistance to Cereal Rust Diseases

Gary A. Secor, Ph.D.
University of California-Davis, 1978
Research Interests:
Potato Diseases Management and Control, Biotechnology for Cultivar Improvement

Carol E. Windels, Ph.D.(adjunct)
University of Minnesota, 1980
Research Interests:
Soybean Root Rot, Sugar Beet Soilborne Diseases, Taxonomy of Fusarium

Shaobin Zhong, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University , 2000
Research Interests:
Fusarium Head Blight of Wheat, Fungal Biology and Genetics, Genomics and Functional Genomics of Host-Pathogen Interaction in Cereal Crops

Program Description

The Department of Plant Pathology offers graduate study leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Advanced degrees may involve specialized training in the following areas: host-parasite genetics, molecular biology and genomics, epidemiology, tissue culture, soil and seed-borne diseases, microbial ecology, and integrated disease management.

Student research and academic programs are tailored to individual needs and interests.

Five graduate faculty members are housed in the Northern Crops Science Laboratory located on campus. This relationship provides additional opportunities for research and consultation.

Admissions Requirements

The Department of Plant Pathology graduate program is open to all qualified graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing. To be admitted with full status to the program, the applicant must

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational institution of recognized standing.
2. Have adequate preparation in Plant Pathology or Biology, and demonstrate potential to undertake advanced study and research as evidenced by academic performance and experience.
3. Have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) in all courses of at least 3.0 or equivalent at the baccalaureate level. Students may be admitted conditionally if their GPA is 3.0 overall during the junior and senior years, or 3.0 in their major.

Applications should be submitted directly to The Graduate School. Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate records must be submitted with the application. Three letters of recommendation or reference report forms are required.

The TOEFL exam is required of international applicants. A minimum score of 550 (paper test) or 213 (computer test) must be achieved.

Financial Assistance

Research assistantships and part-time positions are available in the department. Applicants are considered on the basis of scholarship and potential to undertake advanced study and research. To be considered for an assistantship, a completed Graduate School application, official transcripts, and three letters of reference must be submitted. In addition to these materials, international applicants must also submit TOEFL scores. These items must be submitted to The Graduate School.

Degree Requirements

The program generally requires a minimum of two years of full-time study for the M.S. degree and three years of full-time study for a doctorate, during which an overall GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained.
For M.S. candidates, an oral defense of a research-based thesis or paper, and academic subject matter is required. Candidates for the Ph.D. will be required to pass a preliminary written and oral examination covering academic subject matter and a final oral defense of a research-based dissertation. Programs of study are developed to meet both disciplinary requirements as well as special interests of the students.

---

Courses Offered

653 Microscopy 3

Principles, advantages, and limitations of light and electron microscopic techniques, including sample preparation, data acquisition, interpretation, and photographic techniques. 2 lectures and 1 laboratory. Offered odd years; spring. Prereq: Bot 150.

654 Diseases of Field and Forage Crops 3

Etiology, symptomology, control, and importance of field and forage crop diseases. 2 lectures and 1 laboratory. Offered even years; spring. Prereq: PPth 324.

655 Plant Disease Management 3

Diagnosis and control of horticultural crop diseases. 2 lectures and 1 laboratory. Offered odd years; spring. Prereq: PPth 324.

656 Forest and Shade Tree Pathology (CCN) 3

Biotic and abiotic sources of tree decline are included, as are some pathogens of forest products. Recognition and treatment techniques will be covered. Emphasis of field diagnostic skills. Prereq: PPth 324. Offered odd years; spring semester

660 Fungal Biology 3

Fungal ecology, morphology, genetics, physiology, taxonomy, and relevance to humans. 2 lectures and 1 laboratory. Offered even years; fall. Prereq: Biol 150, PPth 324.

750 Plant Virology 2

Lecture: structure, function, and control of plant viruses and disease. Laboratory: morphology, purification, and characterization of viruses. 2 lectures and 1 laboratory. First half semester. Offered even years; spring. Prereq: PPth 324.

751 Physiology of Plant Disease 3

Infection, penetration, recognition, nutrient transfer, toxins, photosynthesis, and physiological resistance mechanisms. 2 lectures, and 1 laboratory. Prereq: PPth 324. Offered odd years; spring semester

752 Plant Nematology 2

Isolation, identification, biology, and controls of plant parasitic nematodes and techniques used in nematology. 3 lectures and 1 laboratory. Last half semester. Offered odd years; fall. Prereq: PPth 324.

753 Bacterial Diseases of Plants 2

Identification, epidemiology, symptomology, control, and techniques for studying plant diseases caused by bacteria. 3 lectures and 1 laboratory. First half semester. Offered odd years; fall. Prereq: PPth 324.

754 Plant Disease Epidemiology 3

Temporal and spatial dynamics of diseases and causative pathogens in plant populations. 2 lectures and 1 laboratory. Offered even years; fall. Prereq: PPth 324.

756 Techniques in Electron Microscopy 3

Operation of transmission and scanning electron microscopes and ancillary equipment. Techniques include fixation, dehydration, critical point drying, embedding, ultrathin sectioning, and metallic sample coating. 1 lecture and 2 laboratories. Offered odd years; fall. Prereq: Bot 456/656, departmental approval.

758 Bacteriology, Nematology and Viral Diseases of Plants 3

Identification and biology of plant pathogenic bacteria, nematodes and viruses, the diseases they cause and their management. 2 lectures and 1 laboratory. Offered odd years, fall semester. Prereq: PPth 324

759 Host-Parasite Genetics 3

Host-parasite genetics including genetics of plant and pathogens and gene-for-gene relationships. 3 lectures. Offered even years; spring. Prereq: PlSc 311.

760 Advanced Mycology 4

Biology and classification of fungi. Emphasis on identification, growth and development, physiology, and etiology of fungi. 2 lectures and 2 laboratories. Offered odd years; spring. Prereq: PPth 460.

The following variable credit courses are also offered:

 

790 Graduate Seminar 1-3

793 Individual Study/Tutorial 1-3

795 Field Experience 1-15

796 Special Topics 1-5

797 Master's Paper 1-3

798 Master's Thesis 1-10

799 Doctoral Dissertation 1-15