Departmental Graduate Student Research Assistantships

The Department of Plant Sciences at the University of California, Davis, awards approximately 10 Research Assistantships (Graduate Student Research Assistantships) on an annual basis. For students pursuing a M. Sc. Degree, the Research Assistantship is awarded for a maximum period of two years; for students who pursue a Ph.D. degree, the Research Assistantship is awarded for a maximum period of four years. In addition to a stipend for 12 months, the Research Assistantship also covers in- and out of state tuition and fees. Graduate students who have not yet enrolled at UC Davis and those students already enrolled can apply for a Departmental Research Assistantship.

Areas of research emphasis in the Department of Plant Sciences include but are not limited to: agroecology, plant breeding, plant genetics and genomics, plant-microbial interactions, plant physiology, ecosystem management, restoration ecology, plant biochemistry, post harvest physiology, urban ecology, and weed science.

The following criteria are used to award Departmental Research Assistantships:

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements to be Eligible

1. Deadline to submit completed Research Assistantship application is March 15, 2008, for Fall 2008.
2. Candidates must be accepted by the Office of Graduate Studies.
3. The candidate must also have a written commitment from the major professor to serve as his/her supervisor.
4. Only graduate students whose major professor is a member of the Department of Plant Sciences are eligible for a Departmental Research Assistantship. If the student will be co-supervised by two major professors, at least one major professor must be a member of the Department of Plant Sciences.
5. Only graduate students who conduct research to fulfill the requirements for a thesis (M. Sc.) or dissertation (Ph. D.) qualify for a Research Assistantships.
6. Qualifying standards are based on GPA, with a minimum of 3.4 (undergraduate record) or 3.5 (graduate record). GRE scores and written evidence of scholarly achievement in an area of research conducted in the Department of Plant Sciences will also be considered in the selection process.
   

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Decision Criteria Relevant to the Scholarly and Professional Potential of the Graduate Student

The most important criterion used in determining scholarship support is scholarly and professional potential. The Department of Plant Sciences seeks to support graduate students with the highest potential for achievements and professional contributions. Several specific criteria are particularly important to establishing potential:

• Written record of prior scholarly and professional accomplishment. Such a record can include, but is not limited to, scholarly papers and reports, honors and citations, grants, and previous graduate degrees.
• Statement of purpose, which should provide an overview of the candidate’s interests, cite evidence of probable scholarship and innovation, and, in the case of continuing students, previous contributions to departmental research.
• Reference letters specifically evaluating previous accomplishments and/or specific indicators of future promise.
• Relevant evidence of intellectual maturity and clarity of purpose – if available.
  

These standards for selection of Departmental Research Assistantships in the Department of Plant Sciences are indicators for future academic achievement and are flexible. However, it should be clear that potential for research accomplishment is ultimately the most important factor in choosing successful candidates. Students contemplating application for departmental support should prepare their applications and choose their references carefully with this objective in mind.

Note: The application for admission in a graduate group is separate from the application for a Research Assistantship in the department of Plant Sciences. However, incoming students can request that copies of their transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, statement of purpose/personal history, and cv (if applicable) be forwarded by the Graduate Program Coordinator of the graduate group to which they have applied.

All application materials should be submitted to:

Lisa Brown
Department of Plant Sciences
University of California, Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA  95616

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Brown (lfbrown@ucdavis.edu, 530-752-7738) for further information.

Application Form (pdf)

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