University General Education Requirements

• Breadth – Humanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
• Breadth – Natural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
• Breadth – Social Studies: 3 credits
• Communication Part A & Part B
• Ethnic Studies
• Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

CALS BS Degree Requirements

• First Year Seminar
• International Studies
• Physical Science Fundamentals – CHEM 103, 108, or 109: 4-5 credits
• Biological Science: 5 credits
• Additional Science: 3 credits
• Science Breadth: 3 credits

There may be overlap between University, CALS, and Plant Pathology major requirements.  Students are strongly encouraged to work with their advisor to understand how these sets of requirements work together.

The Plant Pathology major is composed of two tracks; Plant-Microbe Biology and Plant Health & Industry.

Additional information regarding general education requirements and a sample 4-year plan can he found in the UW-Madison Guide.

The goals of the capstone experience are to:

• build interdisciplinary connections;
• build skills for teamwork;
• develop skills in problem solving and critical thinking;
• develop communication skills.

A faculty member will act as a capstone advisor and work with students to develop the details and strategy for the project. It is up to the student and advisor to narrow the focus of each specific project.

To receive credit for the capstone experience students must register for Plant Pathology 590 Capstone for at least 3 credits with their capstone advisor.  Once a student has come to an agreement with their capstone advisor regarding the project details the advisor should contact the Student Services Coordinator to get the student authorized for the correct section of Plant Pathology 590.

Students, their capstone advisor and their major advisor will all also need to fill out the Capstone Agreement Form.  Approval of the capstone will not be submitted to CALS until this form is filed with the Plant Pathology major advisor.

Examples of experiences students could participate in include:

• participation in a faculty members research program;
• one or more integrated plant disease clinic-like experiences that involve receiving the problem from the client, processing the diagnosis, participating in the decision as to what to proscribe, and participating in the delivery of the recommended procedures or information;
• demonstrating a knowledge of information sources, types of sources, and their uses and values;
• demonstrating an understanding of where plant pathology fits in the broader plant and global health scene;
• attending professional meetings as part of the learning experience.

Students who wish to receive Plant Pathology 299 Independent Study or 699 Specials Problems credits will need to fill out the Independent Study Agreement Form.  Students should begin the form and then work with their supervisor or instructor on the specific information for their project.  Both the student and faculty member should keep a copy of the form.

Students who wish to receive Plant Pathology 399 Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education credits will need to find a faculty member in Plant Pathology to serve as their internship advisor.  Student will be able to enroll in Plant Pathology 399 with the internship advisor.  Additionally, students will need to complete the following forms, the first is to gain permission to enroll in Plant Pathology 399 and the second is to receive a final grade.

• Plant Pathology 399 Agreement Form
• Plant Pathology 399 Performance Evaluation Form

Students in Plant Pathology are assigned two advisors, the staff advisor and one of our faculty advisors.  Current faculty advisors include:

• Dr. Caitilyn Allen
• Dr. Jeri Barak (lead faculty advisor)
• Dr. Amanda Gevens
• Dr. Mehdi Kabbage
• Dr. Paul Koch
• Dr. Rick Lankau
• Dr. Patty McManus
• Dr. Doug Rouse

Undergraduates in Plant Pathology are required to meet with their advisor before they can enroll for the upcoming term.  A hold will be placed on student records until they meet with their advisor.

For more information about the Plant Pathology major or the department in general, please contact either the lead undergraduate advisor, Dr. Jeri Barak, or the Student Services Coordinator. Students with questions regarding lab positions (both paid and unpaid) in Plant Pathology should contact Dr. Jeri Barak.

For more information on careers available to Plant Pathology students please visit our Internship & Job Resources page. For more information on other academic, co-curricular, financial aid, and career opportunities and services available to Plant Pathology students, please visit the CALS Career Resources page.

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the Plant Pathology Undergraduate Club (PPUC).  The emphasis of the club is to help facilitate professional development for students interested in Plant Pathology with an emphasis on industry and academia.  All students declared in the major will receive email updates regarding club activities.