A new master’s program in plant agriculture is scheduled to start in the fall of 2024 in the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC).

The program will address the demands of employers in the private and public sectors who are looking for professionals with advanced expertise in plant breeding, crop production and plant science.

The hands-on, course-based program will allow recent graduates and professionals to quickly upgrade their education and training without the need of conducting academic research through a traditional thesis-based program.

The flexibility of the program allows students to study on a full- or part-time basis and to select courses that match specific career goals in breeding and genetics, biochemistry and physiology, or crop production systems for both agronomic and horticultural crops.

Students can complete the program in three or four semesters, allowing international students to be eligible to apply for a post-graduate work permit.

“Our department has world-class faculty with very strong connections to the sector and access to a network of research stations and state-of-the-art facilities across Ontario,” said Dr. Hugh Earl, chair of the Department of Plant Agriculture. “This will benefit our graduate students as it enhances the opportunities for professional networking and hands-on learning.”

OAC will continue to offer its thesis-based MSc and PhD in plant agriculture – ideal for students wishing to pursue careers in research in the private or public sector.

Source: University of Guelph August 30, 2023 news release