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Plant Pathology

Department of Plant Pathology

CFAES

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Agriculture and Horticulture

Areas include research and educaton; crop, landscape and turf management; and employment with with regulatory agencies, diagnostic labs, and seed or chemical companies.  Trends in local food production and organic farming are also creating new business opportunities.

The annual salary range for entry-level graduates in plant science and related fields: $25,000-$45,000/year (CFAES survey)

 Featured Articles

 APSnet > The Plant Diagnostic Lab Experience

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 Science > Fun with Fungi: Mycology Careers

 Science > Organic Farming: a Fertile Field of Research                           

Excellent career sites

>  American Phytopathological Society
> USDA Living Science


Environmental Sciences

> Ecology as a Career (Ecological Society of America)


Research

  • Colleges and universities; government agencies such as the USDA, FDA, EPA, Fish and Wildlife, Forest Service
  • Private industry, including chemical, seed, and biotech companies
  • Biology of plant disease and plant-microbe interactions, disease resistance
  • Applied research in pest and disease management methods
  • Development of chemical and biological control products
  • Some students go on to graduate studies in plant pathology and pursue careers in academia or private industry

Education, Extension and Outreach

  • Teaching, at all levels
  • Extension outreach: Science careers article, 'Extension' beyond traditional academic jobs
  • Youth programs such as 4-H, Future Farmers of America, science clubs
  • Outreach programs at public gardens and parks, wildlife and nature preserves, science and discovery centers, museums, etc.