The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) had its genesis from establishment of an Agricultural School at Saidapet, Madras, Tamil Nadu, as early as 1868 and it was later relocated at Coimbatore.
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M.Sc. (Ag.) in Plant Pathology
Prelude
Plant diseases are everywhere, so having a functional understanding of how plant pathogens affect the environment is essential to any career that involves working with plants. Department of Plant Pathology of the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore was started in the year 1910 with the Government Mycologist as Head of the Department. The Post Graduate programme was started in 1958.In Tamil Nadu Agricultural University students enrolled in pathology courses receive a holistic perspective on biological and ecological aspects of plant disease and the role of plant diseases in crop production. Whether it’s agricultural and horticultural systems or other terrestrial ecosystems such as forests, students find themselves immersed in research-based information that can be applied to controlling diseases in the environment around them.
Why this programme?
- Plant science is a field that now needed more than ever. Climate change and human intervention in nature have also resulted in the formation of new types of plant pathogens which threaten the production of crops and food safety. People are becoming more aware of their health and the environment and are demanding cleaner and greener options. Hence there is an urgent need to study and find ways to combat these newfound diseases because of rising populations and increased demand for food.
- A Master's Degree in Plant Pathology will broaden your career choices in marketing, sales, administrative, managerial, research, teaching and technical support positions.
Study Programme
- Plant Pathology master degree students learn in many field and lab courses, including research that focus on economics of plant disease, interactions between plants and pathogens including fungi, bacteria, virus and phytoplasma at the genetic, biochemical, physiological levels, , organic agriculture, and global food security. Besides, they would know how the knowledge derived is integrated and put into agricultural practiceThey can also take part in a field courses, numerous internships, and research opportunities.
- Prerequisite to effective research, teaching, and extension in plant pathology is a breadth of interdisciplinary interest and knowledge, in a department and in its individual members, reaching from ecology to microbiology, from meteorology to applied mathematics, and from molecular biology to communication skills.
Colleges offering
The Master programme in M.Sc. (Ag.) in Plant Pathology is being offered at
- AC&RI, TNAU, Coimbatore
- AC&RI, Madurai
- AC&RI, Killikulam
Application and Admission
Do you have interest in studying plants and its protection ? Then find this course M.Sc in plant pathology that suits you for your career. To learn more about course details, admission process, eligibility criteria and the colleges that offers this course, find out more about the specific requirements and the application proceduresin https://tnau.ac.in. Students are always welcome to contact Plant Pathology Departments in TNAU in person or 0422-6611226 for one-on-one introduction to some of the top scientists in the field.
Eligibility Criteria :Those who have studied B.Sc. (Ag.) /B.Sc.(Hort.) /B.Sc.(Forestry)/
B.Sc.(Sericulture) are eligible to study M.Sc. (Ag.) in Plant Pathology
Future Career
- A Master degree in plant pathology can find ample career openings both in India as well as overseas. The main role of a plant pathologist is to identify and to cure the diseases in Plants. Professionals in plant pathology use modern scientific equipment and techniques to prevent diseases occurring in plants
- The career opportunities for these professionals may arise in areas of teaching, research, Plant Pathologist, Professor, Consultant at district and state level.
- Employment opportunities are also available in areas like research, product development, sales, teaching, extension, administration, regulatory work, and private practice etc. wherever plant diseases involved
Master’s in Plant Pathology course
Master Courses
After admission, students will undergo a set of Plant Pathology courses along with courses of allied disciplines besides learning data analysis to understand basics and applications of Plant Pathology as per the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) with a total credit load of 100 credits, of which 75 credits are exclusively earmarked for their Thesis Research.
Master’s thesis research
After completing the courses in the first year, the students start their thesis research based on the researchable issues identified through the brainstorming session involving experienced staff, external experts pertaining to this field. Each student is assigned to an experienced faculty, approved by the Dean of School of Post-Graduate Studies, who would guide the student on his/ her choice from the enlisted research topics
Research internship
Students are exposed to hands-on-experience with tools and techniques, exchange visits within and outside the country, participation in the both national and international symposia and conferences besides trainings and workshops. Many are encouraged to have internships in other institutes for a couple of months, either in India or abroad to acquire experience in niche areas and techie aspects.
Student Experiences
I m doing my Master of Science (Ag) in Plant Pathology at the Department of Plant Pathology, TNAU, Coimbatore. I can say it is one of the best departments for perceiving knowledge and developing our technical skills. We got smart classrooms, seminar / video conference halls, well equipped labs with supportive staff. First year of coursework made me strong in fundamentals of Plant Pathology. With supporting courses and non credit compulsory courses, now I am well prepared to start my research work. Way of teaching of Faculty and their attitude towards the students are exceptional. The support they give is not only limited to this university but also gives various opportunities to perceive higher education in foreign countries. Teaching faculty make learning even one stage of a process enjoyable and help us to understand the subject more deeply. Field visits, visit to local markets for post harvest disease study, visit to well equipped departments for extra knowledge are the best part of learning. Department provides advanced education to improve our learning skills by arranging conferences, seminars and workshops. Individual students were given the opportunity to explore each experiment in well-equipped labs. At my opinion, I am confident enough to perform well in any higher institutes. Thanks to the knowledge I have got from this department.
Chandana. Y. Kundargi
I am pursuing M.Sc. at the Department of Plant Pathology in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Our department strives to unlatch its students a wide window to the new world of agriculture blended with technology. Our department is equipped to aid the students with ample lecture halls, sizeable seminar halls, well-resourced laboratories, speedy network connectivity, and adept faculty. Professors who are highly experienced and specialized in their core subjects handled the lectures in well detailed manner. Laboratories have an ample number of highly equipped instrument that are adequate for the students to imbibe the knowledge. The students receive practical knowledge offer hands on training on these labs. It improves the skills of our students and enhances their ability to understand and employ new scientific practices.
Tamilselvan. S.
Alumni Experiences
I have completed my M.Sc. (Ag.) degree in Plant Pathology during the year 2011-2013 at the Department of Plant Pathology, TNAU, Coimbatore.I have a got a good experience in the departmentthroughout my academic period. The teaching faculty members are highly qualified with good experience in teaching the students. The theory classes were thought by the Professors who are specialized in the core subjects and provided me a deep knowledge on the subject area. The practical classes were thought in such a way that individual students were able to gain hands on experience on each experiments performed. This helped me in performing my research activities in an effective way.I have got great opportunity in the Department to learn most of the molecular Plant Pathology techniques. At Masters Level, I could able to learn the techniques like DNA and RNA extractions, cloning techniques and proteomic studies.The field visits and field experiments were made compulsory which profoundly aided me in gaining practical knowledge on plant disease management.The department has arranged various seminars, conferences and workshops which enriched my knowledge in the subject and also provided a platform to project my research works in the scientific forum.With the constant support, encouragement and facilities provided by the Department and faculty, I could able to achieve the position as Agriculture Research Scientist (ARS) in ICAR in my first attempt immediately after completing my M.Sc.programme. I am very much grateful and proud to acquire my PG degree from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
Mrs. U. Keerthana,
Scientist (Plant Pathology),
Division of Crop Protection,
ICAR – National Rice Research Institute,
Cuttack, Odisha- 753006.
I did my Master of Science (Ag) in Plant Pathology (2019 batch) at the Department of Plant Pathology in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The coursework in the first year was designed to allow students to learn the major concepts and principles of Plant Pathology. The theory classes were mostly taught in an interactive way and the term paper / assigmenttopics were assigned to us (the students) in each course for our presentation. Myself and my colleagues gained the knowledge of planning and execution of an experiments. After the approval from the Dean (SPGS), I started my research on ‘Integrated disease management of fungal leaf spot complex in cotton’. I was independent to use all the labs in the department and I was also permitted to work after hours in all the laboratories. The seniors in every lab were so helpful in guiding us. There was a credit seminar in the second year and it provided the confidence to present in front of an audience which included the evaluation committee, faculty, seniors, juniors and my peers. The credit seminar presentation made me to build the confidence for the master’s research defense. During my second year, I had an opportunity to do a part of my research work in the Dalhousie University – Agricultural Campus of Canada as a Visiting Graduate Student for a period of 3 months Internship. The Department of Plant pathology has made me an intellectual thinker, problem solver, and over all created me as a budding researcher and induced me to pursue doctoral degree. Now, I have got admission for my Ph.D. in the Dalhousie University of Canada.
Rajaswaminathan V
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