The MS degree is designed to provide students with the basic disciplinary knowledge and research background for a career in the life sciences. Graduates have proven to be competitive in obtaining positions at academic institutions, in public service or the private sector, or admission to PhD programs. Many of the specialties within the department involve cross-disciplinary activity, including close cooperation with ecologists, horticulturists, plant geneticists, soil scientists, and veterinarians. The department has special interest and expertise in alternative methods of insect and disease management, such as biological control, resistant cultivars, cultural techniques, and integrated pest management to help meet the need for safe food production without or with reduced use of pesticides.

Concentrations (Required for Thesis Only) and Options Available

Project: No concentrations available
Thesis: Bioinformatics and Genomics, Entomology, Plant Pathology

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• For admission to the Master of Science program, a student must meet all requirements of the Graduate School of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and must have completed at least 24 credit hours of biological and physical sciences at the undergraduate level.
• Applicants should submit an online application, a nonrefundable application fee, official transcripts, and official scores from the general portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• International students, whose native language is not English, must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• The online application procedure will also direct the applicant to submit.
  • Three letters of reference (and/or three Graduate Rating Forms) from persons capable of assessing the applicant’s suitability for graduate work, and
  • A statement of career goals and interests in entomology, plant pathology, or bioinformatics and genomics.
    • In the statement letter, the concentration of interest and preferred major professor should be indicated.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to make contact with prospective major professors early in the application process.
• All materials must be submitted electronically directly to the Graduate School.

Academic Standards

• Students must assume responsibility for knowledge and compliance with Graduate School and department requirements in their degree program, as described in the current Graduate Catalog, and the Entomology and Plant Pathology Graduate Student Handbook, respectively for their degree program.
• A graduate student whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on probation for the next academic semester. A student will be allowed to continue in the program if each semester’s grade point average is 3.0 or greater. Upon achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0, the student will be removed from probationary status. A student must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to graduate.
• If research progress (Thesis or Project option) is deemed insufficient, the major advisor in consultation with the graduate committee may recommend probation with specific goals set for a specified time or termination.

Project Option, No Concentrations

There are no concentrations for the Project option. In lieu of a thesis, students are required to complete a project/practicum and prepare a written report summarizing the project findings. Projects will focus on topics in entomology, plant pathology, or bioinformatics. Students working on a project/practicum must complete 30 credit hours of graduate credit, which includes one to four credit hours of EPP 503 , and an acceptable seminar presentation for one credit hour.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• EPP 503  (1-4 credit hours)
• EPP 570  (1 credit hour)
• EPP 640  (1 credit hour)
• A minimum of 15 credit hours from EPP courses at the 500-level or above (excluding EPP 500 , EPP 502 , EPP 570 , EPP 640 , and EPP 675 )
• A minimum of one course (3 credit hours) from EPP 508 , EPP 523 , EPP 525 , EPP 530 , EPP 552 ​, and EPP 561  
• Program Electives, (9-12 credit hours) of coursework will be selected by the student in consultation with the major advisor and advisory committee. Courses selected will complement the student’s program. Coursework disciplines include, but are not limited to
  • Agricultural and Natural Resources (AGNR),
  • Animal Science (ANSC),
  • Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB),
  • Biomedical Engineering (BME),
  • Biosystems Engineering (BSE),
  • Business Analytics (BZAN),
  • Comparative and Experimental Medicine (CEM),
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE),
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB),
  • Entomology and Plant Pathology (EPP),
  • Environmental Engineering (ENVE),
  • Environmental and Soil Sciences (ESS),
  • Food Science (FDSC),
  • Forestry (FORS, FWF),
  • Geography (GEOG),
  • Life Sciences (LFSC),
  • Microbiology (MICR),
  • Plant Sciences (PLSC),
  • Statistics (STAT), and
  • Wildlife and Fisheries Science (WFS). 
• Course(s) in quantitative analysis of biological data are highly recommended, but not required. Recommended courses include COSC 505 , COSC 526 , COSC 565 , EEB 560 , PLSC 561 , STAT 576 , and STAT 577 .

Bioinformatics and Genomics, Thesis Option

In addition to a solid biological background in entomology, plant pathology or a combination of the two, students will gain foundational knowledge in bioinformatics and genomics. Students concentrating in bioinformatics and genomics can study biological sequencing and analysis of DNA and RNA, epigenetics, metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, phylogenomics, genotyping by sequencing, differential gene expression, population genomics, gene interactions and/or proteomics. A student with prior coursework and/or experience may petition the EPP faculty for a course exemption(s). An exemption may be granted by majority vote on the basis of documentary evidence, or written and/or oral exams.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• EPP 500   (6 credit hours)
• EPP 570   (1 credit hour)
• EPP 622   (3 credit hours)
• EPP 640   (1 credit hour)
• A minimum of 9 credit hours from entomology and plant pathology (EPP) courses (excluding EPP 500 , EPP 502 , EPP 570 , EPP 640 , and EPP 675 )
• Program electives, (minimum of 7 credit hours) from BCMB 422 , BCMB 510 , COSC 594  (section titled Bioinformatics), CBE 672 , GEOL 590 , LFSC 507 , LFSC 520 , LFSC 521 , and MICR 540  / LFSC 517 , and MICR 650 . In addition, special topics on bioinformatics are periodically offered in BCMB 520 , EPP 602 , EPP 604 , EPP 606 , LFSC 595 , and LFSC 695 .
• A quantitative analysis course (3 credit hours) is highly recommended and usually will be required by the student’s thesis advisory committee. Recommended courses include COSC 505 , COSC 526 , COSC 565 , EEB 560 , PLSC 561 , STAT 576 , and STAT 577 .

See below for Additional Courses and Non-Course Requirements.

Entomology Concentration, Thesis Option

Entomology is an interdisciplinary science that specializes in plant, human, and animal health with a focus on problematic and beneficial insects. Students who wish to prepare for further graduate studies or careers as researchers, teachers, Extension specialists, regulators, or practitioners of plant/human/animal health or insect pest management may choose the Entomology concentration.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• EPP 500  (6 credit hours)
• EPP 548  (3 credit hours)
• One course from EPP 530 , EPP 552 , and EPP 561  (3 credit hours)
• A minimum of one course (3 credit hours) from EPP 508 , EPP 523 , EPP 525 , EPP 530 , EPP 552 ​, EPP 561 , and EPP 630   
• EPP 570  (1 credit hour)
• EPP 640  (1 credit hour)
• Program electives, (minimum 10 credit hours) will be selected by the student in consultation with the major advisor and advisory committee. Courses selected will complement the student’s program. Coursework disciplines include, but are not limited to
  • Agricultural and Natural Resources (AGNR),
  • Animal Science (ANSC),
  • Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB),
  • Biomedical Engineering (BME),
  • Biosystems Engineering (BSE),
  • Business Analytics (BZAN),
  • Comparative and Experimental Medicine (CEM),
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE),
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB),
  • Entomology and Plant Pathology (EPP),
  • Environmental Engineering (ENVE),
  • Environmental and Soil Sciences (ESS),
  • Food Science (FDSC),
  • Forestry (FORS, FWF),
  • Geography (GEOG),
  • Life Sciences (LFSC),
  • Microbiology (MICR),
  • Plant Sciences (PLSC),
  • Statistics (STAT), and
  • Wildlife and Fisheries Science (WFS).
• A quantitative analysis course (3 credit hours) is highly recommended and usually will be required by the student’s thesis advisory committee. Recommended courses include but are not limited to ANSC 571 , EEB 560 , FWF 525 , PLSC 561 , PLSC 571 , STAT 531 , STAT 532 , STAT 576 , STAT 577 , and STAT 579 . 

See below for Additional Courses and Non-Course Requirements.

Plant Pathology Concentration, Thesis Option

Plant Pathology is an interdisciplinary science that specializes in plant health with a focus on the organisms that cause plant disease. Students who wish to prepare for further graduate studies or careers as researchers, teachers, Extension specialists, regulators, or practitioners of plant health management may choose the Plant Pathology concentration.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• EPP 500  (6 credit hours)
• EPP 505  (3 credit hours)
• One course (3 credit hours) from EPP 514 , EPP 520 , and EPP 521  
• A minimum of one course (3 credit hours) from EPP 508 , EPP 512 , EPP 514 , EPP 520 , and EPP 521  
• EPP 570  (1 credit hour)
• EPP 640  (1 credit hour)
• Program electives, (minimum 10 credit hours) will be selected by the student in consultation with the major advisor and thesis advisory committee. Courses selected will complement the student’s program. Coursework disciplines include, but are not limited to
  • Agricultural and Natural Resources (AGNR),
  • Animal Science (ANSC),
  • Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB),
  • Biomedical Engineering (BME),
  • Biosystems Engineering (BSE),
  • Business Analytics (BZAN),
  • Comparative and Experimental Medicine (CEM),
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE),
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB),
  • Entomology and Plant Pathology (EPP),
  • Environmental Engineering (ENVE),
  • Environmental and Soil Sciences (ESS),
  • Food Science (FDSC),
  • Forestry (FORS, FWF),
  • Geography (GEOG),
  • Life Sciences (LFSC),
  • Microbiology (MICR),
  • Plant Sciences (PLSC),
  • Statistics (STAT), and
  • Wildlife and Fisheries Science (WFS).
• A quantitative analysis course (3 credit hours) is highly recommended and usually will be required by the student’s thesis advisory committee. Recommended courses include but are not limited to ANSC 571 , EEB 560 , FWF 525 , PLSC 561 , PLSC 571 , STAT 531 , STAT 532 ,​ STAT 576 , STAT 577 , and STAT 579 . 

See below for Additional Courses and Non-Course Requirements.

For All Concentrations, Thesis Option

Additional Course Requirements

A minor is not required, but may be selected at the option of the student. A minor includes 6 (minimum) to 12 (maximum) credit hours of graduate-level credit in the minor department.

Non-Course Requirements

• The student and the major advisor must select a minimum of two additional faculty members from the University of Tennessee, who hold the rank of assistant professor or above, to serve on the student’s thesis advisory committee. The responsibility of this committee is to assist the student in planning a program of study and carrying out research, and to assure fulfillment of the degree requirements.
  • The committee should be formed during the first semester of the student’s program.
  • If the student has a minor, one member of the committee must be a faculty member from the minor department to assist in designating courses required for the minor.
• Research Ethics training is required, which may be achieved through (CITI RCR) training, as evidenced by presenting a valid CITI RCR certificate to the EPP Director of Graduate Studies or their designee.
• Environmental Health and Safety training is required. Evidence (certificates or test scores) of this training must be provided to the EPP Director of Graduate Studies or their designee.
• Computer Security Awareness training is required. Evidence (certificates or test scores) of this training must be provided to the EPP Director of Graduate Studies or their designee.
• Title IX Mandatory Reporter training is required. Evidence (certificates or test scores) of this training must be provided to the EPP Director of Graduate Studies or their designee.
• Students are expected to attend (in person or online) seminar (EPP 640 ) each academic semester of their MS program.
• Students are expected to prepare a detailed written proposal prior to research for the project.
• A written thesis, approved by the major advisor and thesis advisory committee, is required.
• An oral final examination that covers the thesis and coursework is required, and must be passed to the satisfaction of the advisory committee after the thesis has been completed.
• An oral departmental seminar presentation on the thesis is required.