PROGRAMS

Ph.D. concentration in Global Systems Agroecology

Provide students with an expanded international exposure and hands-on learning in international cropping systems.

The PhD concentration focuses on a strong foundation in the ecological principles that drive the study of diverse cropping systems across the world. These systems cross the full spectrum of agricultural production from traditional, alternative, and integrated soil-plant-livestock systems. Completion of this concentration provides proof of an experience level in global agricultural production, an achievement that many industry and academic positions currently demand at the PhD level.

The PhD concentration emphasizes coursework at deeper levels within the ecological foundation of agroecology and in the three core areas within the discipline: production, natural resource conservation, and societal impacts. Five majors are available (Agronomy, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Entomology and Nematology, Interdisciplinary Ecology or Soil and Water Sciences), and the curriculum includes participation in an international research experience from one of the UF Agroecology Partner Institutions (Click here for more information).

All coursework listed in the concentration is available online

CURRICULUM

Required Core Courses (12 credits)

ALS 5155 Global Agroecosystems – 3 Credits Fall
AGR 5511 Crop Ecology – 3 Credits Fall or AGR 5444 Ecophysiology of Crop Production – 3 Credits Spring
SWS 5050 Soils for Environmental Professionals – 3 Credits Fall or Spring or AOM 6736 Principles and Issues in Environmental Hydrology – 3 Credits Fall
ALS 5905 International Research Immersion – 3 Credits any semester

Each student must spend some time abroad at one of our Partner Institutions, during which students are expected to participate in ongoing research at the host institution with resident faculty mentors. The student can still enroll in distance education UF classes offered by the program while abroad.

Elective courses (9 credits; one course from each category)

ECOLOGY:

ENY 6203 - Insect Ecology – 3 Credits Fall or NEM 6103 Insect Parasitic Nematodes – 3 Credits Fall odd years
PCB 5338 - Principles of Ecosystem Ecology – 3 Credits Fall
FNR 6628 - Watershed Management and Restoration – 3 Credits Fall even years
FOR 6934 - Ecology and Restoration of Invaded Ecosystems – 3 Credits Spring
SWS 5305C - Soil Microbial Ecology – 3 Credits Fall
PLS 6626 - Invasive Plant Ecology – 3 Credits Spring

MODELING:

ABE 6645C - Computer Simulation of Crop Growth and Management Responses – 3 Credits Summer C Required for ABE majors
AEC 6932 - Statistical Thinking – 3 Credits Fall and Summer
SWS 6932 - A Field Guide to Modelling Processes – 3 Credits Summer B
FOR 6560 - Intro to Bayesian Statistics for Life Sciences – 3 Credits Spring even years

SOCIAL SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS:

FYC 6932 - Principles and Practices of Diversity and Inclusion – 3 Credits Summer A
AEC 6411 - Organizational Leadership in Agriculture and Life Sciences – 3 Credits Summer C (face-to-face) or Fall (online)
FNR 6669 - Policy and Economics of Natural Resources – 3 Credits Spring
LAS 6291 - Conflict Management and Collaboration – 3 Credits Spring
LAS 6291 - Communication and Leadership Skills for Development Practice – 3 Credits Fall
LAS 6291 - Facilitation Skills for Adaptive Management in Conservation and Development Practice – 3 Credits Spring

HOW TO JOIN

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS

Master of Science degree with a major in agriculture, agronomy, crop science, soil science, or an equivalent degree in an allied field such as horticulture, entomology, environmental engineering, natural resources, or ecology, and bachelor’s degree with an upper-division GPA of 3.0
GRE quantitative score in 150-160 range (not required for Soil and Water Sciences major)
UF Faculty member support to encourage applying for graduate assistantship

Due to current admission examination testing difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic the Agronomy Department, in sync with the UF Graduate School, is waiving the GRE requirement for applicants seeking Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer A/B/C 2021, or Fall 2021 admission. This temporary emergency waiver applies only to admission for those four semesters.

HOW TO APPLY

Formally apply online to the University of Florida: admissions.ufl.edu. The cost for application is $30 plus a $7 handling fee.
Select the major, either “Agronomy”, "Agricultural and Biological Engineering" or “Soil and Water Sciences”.
Self-report GPA and GRE test scores
Insert name of UF faculty member with whom you have conversed about dissertation research as a graduate assistant
Upload: Statement of Purpose, Resume, Transcript copies
After submitting, let us know! Email: agroecology@ifas.ufl.edu

APPLICATION DEADLINES

January for Fall admission and Graduate Assistantship consideration – indicate on UF application “Agroecology” as “Specialization.”