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Plant Sciences

Plant-centered research for a resilient future

Federal Funding Matters

Federal research funding turns lab work into real help. Continued funding means faster treatments, cleaner air and water, safer families and stronger businesses. When funding freezes, progress slows and costs rise. Learn more about the many UC Davis research programs dependent on federal funding at the From Labs to Lives website.
From Labs to Lives
Michelle from International Agricultural Development

Undergraduate Programs

Plant Sciences offers three diverse majors that prepare students for a broad range of exciting post-graduate jobs or graduate school.

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Plant Sciences graduate student working in the field.

Graduate Programs

Plant Sciences manages two graduate programs and is involved with eight campus graduate groups leading to Ph.D. and master's degrees.

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Research and Facilities

Our faculty works to advance, evaluate and communicate knowledge of plant sciences from lab to field, rangeland, forests, waterways and beyond.

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Outreach Programs

We partner with growers, ranchers, consumers and communities to understand regional and global needs and provide research-based solutions.

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Latest News

A young man stands among tall trees, blowing into a brass musical instrument shaped like a circle.

New film: Redwoods inspire Moore to explore their secrets

  • by Trina Kleist
Zane Moore, who graduated with a Ph.D. from the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, discusses his research on, and passion for, coast redwoods in the documentary film, "Giants Rising." It streams and is broadcast on PBS nationwide starting Nov. 1. (Courtesy Lisa Landers/Tangent Productions)
Young man wearing yellow safety vest and helmet kneels by a smallish wagon with a small tower on it. The tower has a cross-arm and more gear on it.

California schools lose tree canopy, Ossola team finds

  • by Emily C. Dooley
Most schools in California have lost tree cover, while temperatures are rising -- exposing nearly 6 million students to glaring sun and depriving them of contact with nature. Researchers from the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences ask: How can we use trees to help? This research was funded, in part, by the United States Forest Service.
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