We conduct academic, extension and research programs in agricultural and natural resource plant sciences, at facilities in Knoxville and several Research & Education Centers throughout Tennessee.

		Past News & Happenings:    Koepke-Hill, Armel and Rhodes win 2010 Cavendar Award! Cavender Outstanding Award for Best Publication. Established by Dutch Cavender, former Director of Communications and his wife Marilee, this award recognizes excellence in the development of published material produced by professionals in the Institute of Agriculture. Invasive Weeds of the Appalachain Region was praised for innovative design and ease of use in the field. The senior author is Ms. Rebecca Koepke-Hill, the secondary author is Dr. Greg Armel and the third author is Dr. Gilbert Rhodes.              August 2010 Dr. Effin Thomas Graham Dr. Effin Thomas Graham, 87, of Oak Ridge, died Sunday, June 20, 2010, at the Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge after a long illness. He received his BS, MS and PhD in horticulture from Pennsylvania State University. After seven years as professor at Texas A&M, he became professor of horticulture at the University of Tennessee, where he retired in 1990.                  June 2010 UT, Astroturf Partner Up! A partnership between the University of Tennessee and AstroTurf to build a $1.5 million research center dedicated to athletic field safety has the support of a familiar face in former Vol Eric Berry, who was present for the groundbreaking. UT and AstroTurf announced creation of the multiyear research initiative last July to test natural and synthetic turf fields with the goal of improving athletic performance and reducing injuries.                  June 2010 We're Certified! As of Monday, June 7, 2010, 9.8 acres of the Organic Crops Unit completed the transitional period to become certified organic.  The UT Harvest Market is included in this acreage, and we are pleased to offer our organic produce at our student-run market in the Friendship Plaza of the UT gardens every Friday, from 2-4 pm (this Friday, June 11 from 3-5 pm). See the Market Videos! 1, 2                  June 2010 Welcome to Dr. Amy Fulcher! We are very pleased and excited to announce that Dr. Amy Fulcher has accepted our offer to join the Plant Sciences faculty as our new assistant professor in the areas of sustainable ornamental plant production and landscape management. Her first day of work will be November 1, 2010.                  June 2010 Congratulations to Dick Ott! Dick Ott, adjunct faculty member of the Department of Plant Sciences will be inducted into the Interior Plantscape Hall of Fame in September of this year. Dick teaches several classes which train and prepare students for the green industry and in particular the interior plantscaping industry. Dick has also established a scholarship in Plant Sciences for students studying interior plantscaping.                  June 2010 Summer Internship in Bioenergy at UT. Dr. Neal Stewart, Plant Sciences Racheff Chair, will be hosting three students to do research in bioenergy this summer. Students will be supported by FVSU, an award from the Southeastern Sun Grant Center and mentored by Plant Sciences bioenergy researchers.                  May 2010 Garry Menendez Receives Chancellor's Citation Garry Menendez of Plant Sciences received the Chancellor's Citation for Excellence in Advising at the Chancellor's Honors Banquet April 19. Congratulations Garry!                  April 2010 Congratulations to Jennifer Smith, Distinguished Alumnus, CASNR. Jennifer Smith, a Plant Sciences graduate, has been awarded the 2010 CASNR Distinguished Alumnus Award, presented for outstanding achievement and bringing distinction to herself, the college and UT. Jennifer is Executive Director of the TN Urban Forestry Council.     March 2010

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One of seven departments in the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, we offer curricula leading to the:
     Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Plant Sciences
     Masters of Science degree with a major in Plant Sciences
     Doctoral degree with a major in Plants, Soils and Insects.

  Undergraduate concentrations include:
    Landscape Design & Construction
    Public Horticulture
    Turfgrass Science & Management
    Bioenergy
    Biotechnology
    Horticulture Science & Production

Graduate students may specialize in a wide variety of disciplines; see individual faculty pages for current research projects and faculty specialties. Concentrations for PhD students in Plant Sciences include:
    Crop Sciences
    Horticulture
    Plant Improvement
    Plant Biotechnology
    Weed Biology

        Examples of jobs obtained by our graduates
        Current and recent graduate students
        Courses:   Undergraduate   Graduate

Our extension programs cover the areas of weed science, ornamental horticulture, turfgrass management, and the production of vegetables, fruit, cotton, cereals, grains and forage.

Our research programs also embrace these areas, with investigations covering the broad spectrum of molecular, genetic, physiological and field studies. We invite you to visit the homepages of our research and extension faculty to learn more about ongoing programs.