Home | Department of Plant Sciences

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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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

Looking up into tall pine trees. On the ground, a small fire burns. Smoke flows up and is lit up by rays of light coming through the trees.

Less-severe forest fires can reduce intensity of future blazes

by Emily Dooley
August 19, 2024

UC Davis research shows low- and moderate-severity wildfires can reduce future fire intensity for up to 20 years. Using satellite data, scientists found past fires help manage fuel loads, offering insights for forest resilience and wildfire mitigation.

Van Deynze team part of $1M FFAR grant to help carrot growers

by Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research
August 16, 2024

UC Davis received a $500K grant to breed drought-tolerant and disease-resistant carrots using wild genetics. Researchers aim to reduce fungicide use and secure crop yields, ensuring a stable carrot supply for growers and consumers.

Pretty close-up shot of sheep grazing in tall grass in a mountain meadow. One sheep is looking straight at the camera.

UC ANR names Roche “outstanding” academic

by UC ANR
August 14, 2024

Leslie Roche has received the Outstanding New Academic Award from University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources. Roche is an associate professor of Cooperative Extension, based in the Department of Plant Sciences. Her research looks at the agricultural, environmental and social aspects of ranching and livestock production.