PhD in Plant Breeding

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Program Objectives 
The specific objectives of PhD training in plant breeding are to: 
  • Produce highly qualified graduates with the knowledge, attitude and skills of plant breeding necessary for undertaking teaching, research, extension and decision making.
  • Generate and/or adopt appropriate technologies through client oriented, demand driven and problem solving research activities in the areas of plant breeding.
  • Actively involve in the multiplication, dissemination of improved varieties to ultimate users.   
Entry Requirements
A candidate seeking admission to the PhD in plant breeding programme must hold a relevant Masters degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or equivalent, in areas of Plant breeding, plant genetics, agronomy, horticulture, plant biotechnology or related sciences or an equivalent degree from a recognized institution. In addition, the candidate has to submit a thesis research concept notes during admission. Furthermore, the candidate has to bring letter from referee and sponsorship letter.

Candidates requesting for admission from fields other than plant breeding may be required to take additional courses to compensate for the deficiencies (to be decided upon the background of the student and research problem) as per the recommendations of Department Graduate Council (DGC) and approved by council of Graduate studies. In addition, applicants must pass written entrance examination and must meet other admission requirements of School of Graduate Studies (SGS) the Jimma University. Female applicants are favored.  

Graduate Profile
The graduate of this programme will posses the following competence/Students who complete PhD study in Plant Breeding will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to:
  • Conduct basic and applied research that is impact-oriented and addresses developmental paradigms.
  • Teach or train, they will have a broad range of opportunities, varying from teaching in universities, development worker for an NGO or a governmental body, as a consultant for private enterprises/ companies, as an extension worker for farmers and regional communities and so forth.
  • Consult decision makers in formulating agricultural policies of the country.
  • Manage plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
  • Provide technical  leadership in  seed enterprises,  GO and NGOS
  • Advice farmers and  entrepreneurs engaged in crop production
  • PhD graduates might also opt to take up their own business as private investors or entrepreneurs or mangers within a commercial farm or business   
Graduation Requirement
To be eligible for graduation all the PhD candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
  • Twenty one credit hours of course work, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0, with no ‘C’ grade in any courses. In addition, the student must complete and defend his/her PhD dissertation work successfully.
  • Twelve credit hours of research on which a dissertation must be written.
  • Successful defense of thesis
  • At least one published journal article from the doctoral thesis.   

Degree Nomenclature: Doctoral Degree in Plant Breeding   

 Course Breakdown
Year I semester I Required courses

Course No

Course Title

Credit Hours

PLBR 912

Selection methods in plant breeding

2

PLBR 731

Quantitative and population genetics

 

3

PLBR 741

Advances in cytogenetics of plants

 

2 (1+1)

PLBR 751

Seminar I

1

Total

8

 

 Year I semester I Elective courses 

Course No

Course Title

Credit Hours

ANPR 531

Plant bio-chemistry (E)

3

PLBR 662

 

Advanced experimental designs (E)

3 (2+1)

PLBR 711

Advanced in plant breeding (E)

3

PLPA731

Genetic of host pathogen interaction (E)

 

2

Total

11

 

 Year I semester II required courses

Course No

Course Title

Credit Hours

PLPR 722

Molecular plant breeding

3 (2+1)

PPLAG 722

Breeding for resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses in plants

2

PLBR 732

Advances in plant cell and tissue culture

2 (1+1)

PLBR 752

Seminar II

1

Total

8

 Year I semester II Elective courses

Course No

Course Title

Credit Hours

PLPB 582

Advanced seed technology (E)

3 (2+1)

PLBR 582

Breeding for quality traits (E)

 

2

BMB 740

Advanced molecular genetics (E)

3

PLPB 662

Scientific research method and paper writing (E)

2

Total

10

 Year II semester I up to Year III; Semester II

 

Course No

 

Course Title

Credit Hour

PLBR 762

PhD Thesis Research

12

Total

12