Unlock the future of agricultural innovation
Designed for visionary researchers and future industry leaders, our program offers an unparalleled environment to master the complexities of plant biology, breeding and sustainable production. Whether you are driven to engineer the next generation of resilient crops or to pioneer eco-friendly landscape management, you will work alongside world-class faculty in state-of-the-art facilities located at the heart of one of the nation's premier research hubs. Dive into a customizable curriculum that prioritizes high-impact discovery, collaborative problem-solving and the advanced technical expertise needed to solve the most pressing global challenges in agriculture.
Ready to take the next step? Your graduate journey starts with finding a faculty mentor. Before you submit your application, we recommend checking out our faculty research areas and reaching out directly to an advising faculty member whose work sparks your interest.
Ready to do research that actually changes the world? In the Horticulture and Crop Science (HCS) department, you won't just study the future of agriculture - you'll build it alongside world-class scientists.
Here's what your graduate journey looks like:
- Global impact: Join the next generation of scientific leaders tackling the ultimate challenge: producing food, feed, fuel, fiber and medicine. You will design innovative production systems that balance economic success with social responsibility and environmental care.
- From lab to field: Dive deep into both fundamental plant biology and hands-on applied science. You will explore everything from plant genetics to the environmental impacts of modern agricultural practices, both here in Ohio and across the globe.
- Unmatched crop diversity: Tailor your research to your exact passion. Our students work across a massive range of species - whether you are maximizing yields for major commodities like corn, wheat, forages and soybeans, or innovating with vegetable crops, fruits, berries, elite turfgrass, trees and ornamental landscapes.
- Beyond the classroom: It's about more than just the classroom and the lab when you study with us. You'll get the chance to shape your own graduate experience, build an unstoppable professional network and belong to a community that has your back. Plus you'll have the opportunity to become an active member of the HCS Graduate Student Association (HCS GSA) - an organization run entirely by graduate students, for graduate students.
- Here's how the HCS GSA elevates your time at Ohio State:
- Instant community: From welcoming you on day one to hosting regular social hangouts, we make sure current and incoming students plug directly into a supportive, collaborative crew.
- Professional edge: Level up your career potential through exclusive networking events, professional development workshops and industry connections that go way beyond the classroom.
- Your campus voice: We serve as the direct liaison between the graduate student body and departmental administration, ensuring your ideas, feedback and needs are always heard.
- Student-led innovation: This is your forum to pitch, plan and execute the academic and social events you want to see happen within HCS.
- Here's how the HCS GSA elevates your time at Ohio State:
This is your chance to turn cutting-edge science into real-world solutions. Where will you make your mark?
- Breeding and genetics
- Crop management and production
- Controlled environment agriculture
- Greenhouse nursery systems
- Physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology
- Turfgrass science and management
- Weed ecology
- Agrobiotech and cellular innovation: Step to the cutting edge of plant genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology. You will engineer resilient crops, unlock plant biochemical pathways and lead high-tech research and development teams for global seed and biotech companies.
- Controlled environment and greenhouse systems: Master the future of indoor production by directing advanced hydroponic, vertical farming and greenhouse operations. You'll optimize nursery systems, implement precision automation and design sustainable climates for maximum year-round yields.
- Strategic crop production and weed ecology: Take command of large-scale food security by solving major agronomic puzzles. You'll lead field production strategy, analyze environmental impacts and engineer ecological solutions to outsmart weed populations and invasive species.
- Advanced seed biology and technology: Revolutionize the foundation of agriculture by working with global seed producers. You'll direct seed quality testing, innovate preservation techniques and lead technical advising for high-value agricultural supply chains.
- Elite turfgrass and landscape management: Blend advanced plant physiology with high-end asset management. You'll direct operations at championship golf courses, professional sports stadiums, premium landscapes or commercial sod production facilities.
Please check the HCS Graduate Student Teams Channel for key information, forms and updates! Not part of the channel? Please connect with Regina Vann Hickok.
What you'll study
As a PhD student you'll complete a minimum of 80 credit hours of graduate work. Graduate students may be required to take additional specialized courses as directed by their Student Advisory Committee (SAC).
Program requirements can grow and change - always be sure to check with your student advisory committee to ensure you are on the right track.
Select one class in 2 of the 3 focus areas
Focus 1: Plant Biochemistry/Physiology/Metabolomics
- HCS 5621: Physiology of Cultivated Plants (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5622: Biochemical Processes in Cultivated Plants (3 credit hours)
- HCS 7600: Metabolomics, Principles and Practice (3 credit hours)
- HCS 7821: Environmental Physiology of Managed Plant Systems (3 credit hours)
Focus 2: Plant Genetics/Biotechnolgy/Breeding
- HCS 5325: Plant Genetics (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5625: Applied Plant Biotechnology (2 credit hours)
- HCS 5825: Plant Breeding (2 credit hours)
- HCS 8825: Advanced Plant Breeding (3 credit hours)
Focus 3: Plant Systems/Production/Ecology
- HCS 5100: Advanced Cropping Systems (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5200: Advanced Horticultural Principles and Practices (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5306: Sustain. Veg. Prod. Pract.: Planning, Growing and Marketing (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5320: Floriculture Crop Production (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5411: Grain, Oilseed, and Fiber Crops (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5412: Agroecology of Grasslands and Prairies (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5420: Environmental Impacts of Crop-Livestock Systems (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5422: Principles of Weed Ecology and Management (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5450: Vegetable Crop Production and Physiology (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5460: Fruit Crop Physiology and Production (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5602: Ecology of Agriculture (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5670: Golf Courses and the Environment (2 credit hours)
Please note additional courses may be added to this list as the discretion of the student advisory committee.
- HCS 8887: Techniques of Experimental Design (4 credit hours)
- HCS 7001: Graduate Student Professional Development (1 credit hour)
- HCS 7890: Colloquium presentation (1 credit hour)
- HCS 7890: Non-presenting 2nd enrollment (1 credit hour)
- HCS 8830: Current Topics (1 credit hour)
- HCS 8830: Current Topics 2nd enrollment (1 credit hour)
Select an additional minimum of 9 credit hours of HCS or other graduate courses.
May be taken for multiple terms at various credit hours depending on student advisory committee.
- HCS 8998: Pre-candidacy Research (1-18 credit hours)
- HCS 8999: Post-candidacy Research (1-18 credit hours)
How to become a graduate student in HCS
Your graduate experience revolves around your faculty mentor. Before submitting your materials and application, browse our faculty pages, read up on their latest publications and reach out directly to our faculty members whose work excites you most. Finding a faculty member who is ready to sponsor your research is the single best way to elevate your graduate school application.
We are looking for ambitious minds from a wide range of scientific backgrounds. To put forward a competitive application to The Ohio State University's Graduate School, make sure to gather these core pieces:
A completed degree: You'll need a bachelor’s or professional degree from an accredited institution by your expected enrollment date.
GPA baseline: A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale across all previous undergraduate and graduate work.
Scientific background: Strong prerequisite training in the life sciences, physical sciences and mathematics is highly recommended. Coming from a non-scientific major? Reach out to us before you apply so we can help map your transition.
Personal statement: This is your story. Written entirely by you, it should detail your academic background, your research interests and how an HCS graduate degree aligns with your career goals. Be sure to call out specific research opportunities or faculty advisors you want to work with.
Curriculum vitae (CV): A tight, two-page overview of your contact info, academic history, professional roles, presentations and research experience. Do not hesitate to highlight study abroad trips, student leadership or community service.
Letters of recommendation: Three letters from mentors, professors or supervisors who can vouch for your scholastic abilities, work ethic and professional drive.
- International language testing: International applicants whose native language is not English are required to complete approved ESL proficiency testing as part of the admission process. These tests help ensure students are prepared for academic success in a graduate‑level environment.
- No GRE required: We value your experience and potential over standardized test scores - the GRE and/or GMAT is not required for admission.
Funding
