Majors, Minors and Certificates

Coursework options are varied with a program that enables students to tailor their education to fit individual career goals. This is a non-thesis program, which requires 30 hours of graduate level coursework. A minimum of 15 hours must be selected from graduate courses within two divisions of the Davis College, with no fewer than six hours in either division. A three-hour problem report may be included at the preference of the student and approval of the graduate committee members.

The Master of Science in Animal and Nutritional Sciences in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design allows maximum flexibility in courses and research. Students may major in either animal physiology or nutrition and food sciences. They may work with beef and dairy cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, or laboratory animals and with issues in human health and nutrition. Research problems in farm animals, laboratory animals and human nutrition issues form the basis for many studies, but a comparative approach is emphasized. A master of science degree is available as a thesis or coursework option.

Students entering this program may select research and classes to emphasize areas of interest appropriate to the Division of Animal & Nutritional Sciences. Areas include agricultural biochemistry, animal nutrition, animal physiology, and human nutrition and food sciences.

From plants to animals to air, microorganisms inhabit every facet of the world. Both beneficial and harmful, microorganisms play important roles in the areas of public health, plant disease, pollution and ecology. This program is ideal for students who want to have a career at the forefront of these industries. Gain professional development and research experience as you further your education in our graduate program.

M.S. in Entomology provides students the opportunity to take courses and conduct original, master’s-level research. The educational experience obtained through courses and research is expected to provide students with the background and expertise to excel. Entomology is critical to maintaining agriculture and forest productivity, solving environmental problems, and promoting economic development in the state.

M.S. in Environmental, Soil, & Water Sciences provides students the opportunity to take courses and conduct original, master’s-level research in their areas of specialization. The educational experience obtained through courses and research is expected to provide students with the background and expertise to enter doctoral programs or professional careers as agronomists, entomologists, microbiologists, horticulturists, and plant pathologists or soil scientists. These disciplines are critical to maintaining agriculture and forest productivity, solving environmental problems, and promoting economic development in the state.

Students seeking admission for the degree of Master of Science in Forestry (M.S.F.) should have completed an undergraduate curriculum in forestry. A student whose undergraduate degree is in a field other than forestry will ordinarily be required to take supplemental undergraduate courses. Candidates for the degree may pursue an emphasis in forest resources management or wood science and technology. Within their selected area of emphasis, candidates may focus their studies on arboriculture, bio-energy, bio-fuels, forest biometry, forest business, forest ecology, forest economics, forest hydrology, forest management, forest operations, forest soils, silviculture, wood composites, wood marketing, wood science and technology, or urban forestry.

The Master of Science in Genetics and Developmental Biology is an interdisciplinary program involving the faculty and facilities of a number of departments in the various colleges and schools of WVU. Students may choose an Area of Emphasis (AOE) in Biochemical and Molecular Genetics, Cytogenetics, Immunogenetics, Mutagenetics, Toxicology, Human Genetics, Plant Genetics, Population and Quantitative Genetics, Animal Breeding, Molecular Aspects of Development, Experimental Morphogenesis, Teratology, Regeneration, Oncology, Descriptive Embryology, and Life Cycles of Animal and Plants.

The PhD in Genetics and Developmental Biology is particularly well suited for students interested in emphasizing plant, animal, microbial (bacterial or fungal), or insect genetics or developmental biology. Students in the program learn research approaches such as genomics, analysis of gene expression, metabolic engineering, functional analyses of genes, evolutionary development, and conservation genetics Students may choose an Area of Emphasis (AOE) in Biochemical and Molecular Genetics, Cytogenetics, Immunogenetics, Mutagenetics, Toxicology, Human Genetics, Plant Genetics, Population and Quantitative Genetics, Animal Breeding, Molecular Aspects of Development, Experimental Morphogenesis, Teratology, Regeneration, Oncology, Descriptive Embryology, and Life Cycles of Animal and Plants.

With this MS, you will learn to analyze and apply GIS and spatial analysis data across multiple disciplines. There is a growing demand for professionals in this area and the program is ideal for working professionals, as well as graduate students who desire advanced training in areas such as predictive modeling, data exploration, programming, spatial hydrology, remote sensing, and geospatial modeling.

Horticulture is the science of the production, processing and marketing of fruit, vegetable, greenhouse and landscape crops. Students in the Horticulture program study the physiology, culture, harvest, quality control, sales and utilization of horticultural crops.

The objective of this program is to provide doctoral students the opportunity to study and conduct research with faculty in areas of excellence in the Division of Resource Management, in particular, and in other divisions in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, in general.

The objective of this major is to prepare students to apply economic models and analysis to environmental and natural resource policy problems.

The Ph.D. in Natural Resources Science is an interdisciplinary program that allows doctoral students the opportunity to specialize in a range of competencies. As a graduate student in the School of Natural Resources, you’ll advance your research knowledge and prepare to become a leader in your chosen field. With the guidance and support of faculty mentors, you’ll develop an advanced understanding of and appreciation for the principles of economics, stewardship and sustainability of our natural resources.

The MS in Animal and Nutritional sciences allows maximum flexibility in courses and research problems. Students may major in either animal physiology and biochemistry or nutrition and food sciences.

The educational experience obtained through courses and research is expected to provide students with the background and expertise to enter professional careers as agronomists, entomologists, microbiologists, horticulturists, and plant pathologists or soil scientists. These disciplines are critical to maintaining agriculture and forest productivity, solving environmental problems, and promoting economic development in the state.

The Plant Pathology graduate program is ideal for students who desire a career in plant health, food security or the environment. Graduates will be prepared to be leaders and productive team members in plant pathology and related disciplines.

Agricultural and Resource Economics is an applied economics program that deals with the analysis and understanding of natural resources, environmental, agricultural, rural development and international agricultural and resource issues.

The program provides advanced training in the areas of natural resource, environmental, agricultural, mineral, energy, agribusiness, international, and rural development economics. The primary objective of this program is to prepare students for further graduate study or a variety of careers in business and government. A candidate for the degree must comply with University, College, and Program requirements. The M.S. degree in Resource Economics and Management can be obtained under either course work or thesis options.

The Wildlife and Fisheries Resources program is dedicated to developing the next generation of young fisheries and wildlife professionals. This program offers two levels of advanced degrees with an MS in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources and a PhD in Forest Resources available.