Saint Paul, MN (January 15, 2000)—Plants get sick, too. In response, the University of Florida, Gainesville, now offers the nation's first Doctor of Plant Medicine (DPM) professional degree program. Applications are being accepted for classes beginning August 2000.
This new, three-year, multidisciplinary graduate program will provide doctors of plant medicine careers parallel to medical doctors and veterinarians. "Graduates are not expected to become researchers. Rather, they will be trained to diagnose and offer recommendations for control of anything from disease, insects, weeds or abiotic causes that adversely affect plant health," says George Agrios, DPM program director, APS member, and past APS president. "Prior to completion of the program, students must pass a comprehensive examination in plant pathology, entomology, and plant science. Following graduation, individuals must also pass an examination before a State Licensing Board."
Neal Van Alfen, APS president and dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of California Davis applauds the program in stating, "Doctors of Plant Medicine will provide a much needed service to commercial plant maintenance companies, plant growers and homeowners while benefiting the general economy and better protecting the environment and water supplies in areas where they are employed."
Graduates of the program are expected to find employment as:
- private practitioners/"plant doctors"
- county or multi-county plant protection specialists
- state plant disease clinic directors employed by extension service
- federal and state plant health regulatory inspectors
- state-integrated pest management coordinators
- plant protection specialists
- agrichemical company representatives
- plant doctors for municipalities
For more information and application materials, contact George Agrios, Director
Doctor of Plant Medicine Program, University of Florida, 1453 Fifield Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611-0680; telephone: +1.352.392.3631.
The American Phytopathological Society (APS) is a professional scientific organization dedicated to the study and control of plant disease with 5,000 members worldwide.
