Duration: 4 years

Major in:


Course description:
This program aims to produce graduates who are knowledgeable and skilled in the application of biotechnology, genetic control, and environmental manipulation technologies to improve agricultural production and maintain quality agro-environments. Students major in plant biotechnology, animal biotechnology, or food biotechnology.

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 20,000-25,000 per semester

Testimonials:

Duration: 5 years

Course description:
A joint offering of CA with the College of Arts and Sciences, this program prepares future agricultural chemists in research endeavors particularly in agriculture and other related fields.

Board exam performance:


Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 20,000-25,000 per semester

Testimonials:
Read 2 testimonials of BS in Agricultural Chemistry graduates of UP Los Banos

Duration: 4 years

Course description:
This program provides an up-to-date training on the use of existing mathematical tools both in traditional fields as well as in new areas of applications.

» Read the BS in Applied Mathematics description by FindUniversity.ph

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 20,000-25,000 per semester

Testimonials:

Duration: 4 years

Course description:
This program is designed to develop among students solid understanding of fundamental physics principles and immerse them in the use of these knowledge and methods in finding solutions for real-world problems.

» Read the BS in Applied Physics description by FindUniversity.ph

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 20,000-25,000 per semester

Testimonials:
Read 2 testimonials of BS in Applied Physics graduates of UP Los Banos

Duration: 4 years

Major in:


Course description:
The program provides students with a holistic view of life through the integration of biological sciences with the physical sciences such as physics and chemistry.

The students receive excellent training as they major in any of the following fields: animal biology, cell and molecular biology, ecology, genetics, microbiology, plant biology, systematics, and wildlife biology.

» Read the BS in Biology description by FindUniversity.ph

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 20,000-25,000 per semester

Testimonials:
Read 16 testimonials of BS in Biology graduates of UP Los Banos

Duration: 4 years

Course description:
This program is designed to prepare students for a career in industry practice, research, and/or teaching chemistry and allied fields.

» Read the BS in Chemistry description by FindUniversity.ph

Board exam performance:


Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 20,000-25,000 per semester

Testimonials:
Read 7 testimonials of BS in Chemistry graduates of UP Los Banos

Duration: 4 years

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 20,000-25,000 per semester

Duration: 4 years

Course description:
This program seeks to equip students with broad knowledge and training in pure mathematics and produce competent, competitive, and employable graduates who can pursue relevant and meaningful careers in the academe, research, or industry.

» Read the BS in Mathematics description by FindUniversity.ph

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 20,000-25,000 per semester

Testimonials:
Read 2 testimonials of BS in Mathematics graduates of UP Los Banos

Duration: 4 years

Course description:
This program provides a solid foundation in statistics through a balanced mix of statistical theory and methods designed to produce students with proficiency to teach in the academe or become professionals in various allied fields.

» Read the BS in Statistics description by FindUniversity.ph

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 20,000-25,000 per semester

Testimonials:
Read 5 testimonials of BS in Statistics graduates of UP Los Banos

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
Designed to provide students chemistry concepts, theories and principles needed to conduct research relevant to agro-industrial development.

Opportunities

Graduates become eligible to handle key positions in government, academic and private institutions. They can be employed as managers, supervisors, faculty members, researchers and consultants.

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
The MS in Agrometeorology is an interdisciplinary field which relates the elements of atmospheric environment with agribusiness operations. It is designed to prepare students to deal with the weather-related problems affecting agricultural activity from the long-range planning to the daily operations.

Agrometeorology will train students in

(a) the selection of the production sites for a given crop or livestock for a given site;

(b) microclimate modification and control;

(c) management of extreme weather events, such as drought and flooding;

(d) weather forecasting and crop yield forecasting;

(e) geographic information system and remote sensing applications;

(f) and agrometeorological instrumentation.

Opportunities

Graduates of the program will be qualified to work in the field of instructions, research and development in academe or in industry as well as consulting firms. Academic and research institutions that may require graduates of the program include state colleges and universities, private universities and colleges, and government agencies (e.g. PAGASA, PHILRICE). Graduates may also venture into entrepreneurial activities by putting up their own farm business.

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
The program seeks to provide manpower for both biochemical research and instruction. It is envisioned to provide a core of professionals that will provide leadership in conducting independent research in various areas of biochemistry.

Opportunities

Graduates of the program are qualified to teach undergraduate and graduate (masteral level) biochemistry courses. They can also do research on biochemical problems in agriculture and biotechnology. They can find employment in government research institutions, industrial establishments and in colleges or universities that offer chemistry, biochemistry and affiliate programs.

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
The program will allow the student to acquire a strong and comprehensive background in the traditional areas of chemistry at the masters level with specialization in a particular branch of chemistry. It prepares the student for the practice of chemistry as a pure science or as interfaced with the other disciplines

Opportunities

Graduates become eligible to handle key positions in government, academic and private institutions. They can be employed as managers, supervisors, faculty members, researchers and consultants

Specialization

1. Analytical Chemistry
2. Organic Chemistry
3. Physical Chemistry
4. Inorganic Chemistry

» Read the MS in Chemistry description by FindUniversity.ph

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
A holistic and integrative Program, the Master of Science incorporates contemporary thinking on the relationship between nature and human society and how the relationship is influenced by such factors as local, national and global policies and structures, modes of production and others. This is an inter-college program designed to produce environmental researchers, teachers and managers.

Areas of Specialization

1. Environmental Planning and Management

Environmental Planning and Management as an area of specialization focuses on the following (1) environmental policy, (2) environmental program planning and administration, (3) environmental impact assessment, (4) urban and industrial ecology, (5) environmental monitoring and evaluation and (6) environmental planning approaches and methods.

2. Environmental Restoration

Ecosystem restoration can be a tools for protecting biological diversity on the planet, it requires the recreation of prior structure and function including ecosystem services. Areas of focus include degraded forest and agro-ecosystems management, degraded aquatic ecosystems management, mined-out area restoration, volcanic debris restoration and riverbank stabilization.

3. Community-Based Resource Management

CBRM is a process by which the people are given the opportunity and/or responsibility to manage their own resources. Areas of focus are (1) forest resource management (2) coastal resources management, (3) waste management, (4) mineral resource management and (5) agricultural systems management.

4. Protected Areas Management

Protected areas, such as wildlife reserves, parks and nature reserves provide economic, ecological, educational and cultural benefits. Protected areas management considers social and demographic analyses of the local populations and the present and future threats to their sustainability caused by land use changes. Area of focus is the management of protected areas.

5. Environmental Chemistry and toxicology

This program will enable students to understand the chemical nature, effects and detection of environmental problems as well as acquire basic skills in conducting water, soil and air quality analyses. Areas of focus are (1) method development on water/wastewater analysis, (2) water quality monitoring and assessment, (3) wastewater characterization and treatment, (4) wastewater utilization and pollution control, and (5) chemodynamics and fate of chemicals in the environment.

6. Environmental Biology

This program is designed for a graduate student with a bachelor’s degree in any of the natural sciences who, after finishing the graduate degree, will be able to apply the basic concepts and principles governing organismic and ecosystem structure and function in relation to (1) environmental phenomena, (2) biological impacts and (3) biological concerns in environmental management.

» Read the MS in Environmental Science description by FindUniversity.ph

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
The major field caters to the objectives of the College in (1) training people in the proper administration and wise utilization of the country’s remaining forest resources in order to meet the demand for high quality manpower in forestry in the country; (2) conducting research needed for the better management, protection and utilization of Philippine forests; and (3) conducting public education and information programs for the purpose of disseminating knowledge, concerning forest conservation and various technologies in forestry.

Opportunities

With climate change requiring mitigation and adaptation, the science and technology needed can be provided by the graduate program.

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
Graduate Program focusing on Sustainable Forest Management, Watershed Management, Forest Resource Economics, Marketing and Valuation, Tropical Forests and Climate Change, Ecotourism, GIS and Remote Sensing in Forest and Natural Resources Management, Timber Resources Production and Management, Production and Management of Non-Forest Wood Products.

Opportunities

Graduates serving as specialists/experts in local, national and International Organizations in the aforementioned fields of specialization; Alumni have distinguished themselves as forest managers, policy makers/advisers both in the Philippines and abroad.

Areas of Specialization

1. Environmental Forest Management - Tropical Forest and Climate Change;

2. Forest Policy and Administration - Policy formulation, review, advocacy, implementation; effective governance

3. Forest Resource Economics - Economics of production, distribution and consumption of forest resources, goods and services.

4. Forest Biometry - Theories, concepts, modern approaches and recent developments in natural resources assessment. Students in this program are trained in the evaluation and assessment of efficiency and applicability of newly developed quantitative and other survey and measurement tools for natural resources planning and management.

5. Non-timber Resources Management - Sustainable development of NWFPs, their production and management in the natural forest and artificial plantation.

6. Watershed Management - Sustainable management of multiple resources in watersheds; planning, management, and conservation of watersheds; land-use planning, allocation; institutional and financial aspects of watershed management; enabling policies for improved watershed management

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
The MS Genetics degree program is offered by the Genetics and Molecular Biology Division of the Institute of Biological Sciences together with other units in the University of the Philippines Los Banos, Laguna. The program aims to furnish the students with a firm background in Biology with specialization in Genetics and prepare the students for competence in instruction, research and extension.

Opportunities

Graduates of M.S. Genetics can be involved in teaching and research. International Research Institution like IRRI, and multinational companies hire our M.S. Genetics graduates. Acceptance of our M.S. Graduates for Ph D. In universities outside the country like US and Europe is not a problem.

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
The M.Sc. Mathematics program is designed to give students sufficient academic preparation for careers that require mathematical expertise in the academe, industry and government. It also serves as a preparatory course for a PhD degree in pure or applied mathematics and related fields, and provides the important foundation and training needed for research and teaching in mathematics.

Opportunities

As mathematics is a central resource for almost all disciplines of study, including but not limited to, education, operations research, actuarial science, biology, chemistry, statistics, physics and engineering, finance and economics, computer science and information theory, graduates of the M.Sc. Mathematics program, who achieve a higher level of mathematical maturity, are expected to perform better and establish successful careers in research, teaching and in various professions.

» Read the MS in Mathematics description by FindUniversity.ph

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
Study of the basic fields of microbiology that include microbial physiology, ecology, genetics and molecular biology and of the applied fields of microbiology that include food, industrial and medical microbiology.

Opportunities

Our graduates have occupied vital positions in the academe as faculty members or full-time researchers, in various national and multi-national corporations as quality control managers and consultants, and in medicine as highly competent doctors.

Areas of Specialization

1. Food Microbiology - Microbiological aspects of food processing, preservation, spoilage and quality control: study of food-borne microorganisms of industrial and public health importance.

2. Microbial Genetics/Molecular Microbiology - The principles of heredity in microbial systems, their applications in microbiology and molecular biology.

3. Industrial Microbiology - Microorganisms, principles and processes involved in industrial fermentation.

4. Medical Microbiology - The role and control of medically important microorganisms in human disease development.

5. Microbial Ecology - Principles of microbial ecology; inter-relationships of bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa in natural systems.

6. Microbial Physiology - Physiological processes in microorganisms including a study of structure, energy production, macromolecular biosynthesis, nutrition and growth.

7. Virology - The physical, chemical and biological properties of plant, animal and bacterial viruses.

» Read the MS in Microbiology description by FindUniversity.ph

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
Molecular biology is fundamental to many disciplines and biotechnology and it's applications have become very important and useful in these disciplines. UPLB’s Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MBB) Program is an interdisciplinary program, encompassing many disciplines and involves all colleges of UPLB. It has offered the MS MBB degree since 1990 and the PhD degree since 2002. The MBB program addresses the increasing need of industry, academe and government for high caliber graduates in the field. These graduates, being well grounded in the theoretical and applied aspects of MBB, can provide the leadership and manpower to plan, direct and implement research, education as well as production and regulatory aspects of molecular biology and biotechnology and their applications especially in food, agriculture, industry and environment.

Opportunities

Institutions involved in biologicals, pharmaceuticals, fermentation, food and feed processing, diagnostics, plant and animal breeding and production, etc., are increasingly requiring graduates of molecular biology and biotechnology with advanced degrees to assume important and critical roles in teaching, research, production and management. Regulatory and monitoring agencies in the different departments of the national government such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, etc., are also in need of specialists in MBB. Students are also exposed to bioentrepreneurship and may opt to be involved in entrepreneurial pursuits.

Areas of Specialization

Students major in the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of any of the traditional fields of discipline. The students also take courses in their cognate disciplines. In the past ten years, MBB students have conducted their theses in areas/disciplines such as biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, plant breeding, plant biology, and plant pathology.

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
The program is designed to produce graduates capable of innovating on and operationalizing the principles and concepts of natural resources conservation, natural resources informatics, conservation planning, and the different approaches to natural resources conservation. Graduates of this program are expected to be able to: (a) assess the conservation and restoration needs of natural resource areas or ecosystems; (b) design and implement research and development programs for the management and conservation of natural resources; and (c) undertake policy formulation and advocacy work for natural resources conservation.

Opportunities

With current thrust on climate change and natural resources management, graduates have tremendous potential to be of service to local, national and international organizations working on NRM.

Areas of Specialization

1. Biodiversity Conservation - Planning and management of protected areas; conservation planning and management;

2. Parks and Outdoor Recreation Management - Approaches in planning, development and management of parks, outdoor recreation and nature tourism/ecotourism

3. Coastal Resources Management - Theories, concepts and approaches to coastal resource management including concepts on coastal and marine ecosystems. Students will be trained on practical approaches to CRM and evaluating coastal ecosystems to come up with the best approach to managing coastal resources.

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
The MSPGR programs educates and mentors the current and future germplasm curators/custodians and staff in PGRCM in the region. The program prepares the students for successful careers through the existing curriculum offered at UPLB. It offers new concepts and applications of emerging technologies for use in all aspects of PGRCM. As well, it exposes students to the issues and policies surrounding PGR at the local, national and international levels. The needs of institutional and community genebanks are integrated into the curriculum providing the students with skills in both systems.

Opportunities

The graduate program in Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Management aims to equip the student with:

1. A comprehensive understanding of the PGR concepts, principles and strategies for formal and informal PGR conservation, development and management;

2. Capacity to manage genebanks, living botanical collections, natural reserves and in situ conservation areas;

3. Broad knowledge and understanding of policy issues relating to PGR conservation and use.

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
The MS in Statistics program is designed to provide the graduate student with a more extensive training in research and teaching through a well-balanced mixture of theory and applied courses.

Opportunities

Statistics has applications almost in all areas of study and with this program, a user of statistics can better appreciate the application of statistics in a given area of study. With a program that is well-balanced mixture of theory and applied courses, it is expected that the graduates of the program can very well apply statistics in other fields of interest with more confidence and understanding.

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
MS Wildlife Studies is a graduate program thta provides students with the knowledge and skills in wildlife biology and techniques in research for conservation and management, with emphasis on Philippine wildlife. This unique program, offered by the Graduate School of UP Los Baños, is the only one offered in the whole country. It has been intrumental in the advancement of faculty, protected area managers and research personnel of local and international universities, government agencies and conservation organizations.

Opportunities

Graduates of the courses are skilled in Philippine wildlife identification and are able to conduct field surveys, wildlife habitat evaluations, and effective program implementations especially for protected area management. They can formulate and design research and conservation projects, education strategies and programs, for conservation and sustainable development. Graduates are updated and exposed to local conservation issues and are also versed on the global concern. Faculty are consulted in global programs like the Global Biodiversity Assesssment of International Union or the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), and tapped by DENR, FFI, CI, Birdlife International and others. Students are not far from availing international trainings especially with relevant thesis project.

Area of Specialization

1. Wildlife Biology - Study species habits, habitats, distribution, ecology, populations

2. Wildlife Conservation

3. Wildlife Management

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Duration: 2 years

Course description:
The MS Zoology program offered by the Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños is designed to develop the ability of the graduate student in critical inquiry and independent research for the advancement of knowledge in zoology, as well as developing professional leadership in the biological sciences. Prior to the formal establishment of the Department of Zoology on December 21, 1972, Applied Zoology was offered as an area of specialization under the graduate program in Entomology. During the 2nd (special) meeting of the UPLB on October 15, 1973, the M. S. Zoology program was formally approved with 2 areas of specialization namely: Vertebrate Pest and Phytonematology. The Department later expanded the fields of specialization in zoology to include Parasitology, Limnology, Invertebrate Zoology, Vertebrate Zoology and Wildlife Biology; incorporating the basic and applied aspects of Zoology. Twenty-two years after the establishment of the Institute of Biological Sciences in 1983, the Animal Biology Division has 12 graduate faculty members (9 doctoral and 3 master degree holders) and actively continues to promote faculty development to strengthen it's graduate program.

Opportunities

Opportunities of graduates include research and/or teaching positions in the government and private sector.

Areas of specializations

1. Animal Ecology - Animals and their environment

2. Animal Physiology - Living processes in vertebrates and invertebrates

3. Invertebrate Biology - Morphology, physiology, development, ecology and evolution of invertebrates

4. Vertebrate Biology - Structure, function, development, ecology and evolution of vertebrates

Admission requirements:


Tuition Fees:
P 4,200-15,000 per semester

Course description:
Provides advanced theoretical, conceptual and practical training in chemistry for research and instruction related to agriculture and forestry

Opportunities

- comprehensive and advanced training in chemistry relevant to agriculture and forestry

- trains student to generate new body of knowledge

- graduates can work in academe, industry and government as experts in their field of specialization

Areas of Specialization

1. Cocochemistry
2. Natural products characterization and utilization
3. Nano (sciences) technology applications in agriculture and forestry
4. Cereal chemistry

Admission requirements:

Course description:
The program provides an in-depth understanding of the molecular basis of biological systems and it's relation to certain fields thereby enabling students to employ appropriate biochemical techniques and methodologies in approaching research problems in the fields of biotechnology, agriculture and

Opportunities

Graduates of the program are qualified to teach undergraduate and graduate biochemistry courses. They can also do research on biochemical problems in agriculture and biotechnology. They can find employment in government research institutions, industrial establishments and in colleges or universities that offer chemistry, biochemistry and affiliate programs.

Admission requirements:

Course description:
The PhD Botany program is part of the post-baccalaureate degree offerings of the Institute of Biological Sciences administered by the UPLB Graduate School. Its main goals are to develop the ability of the students to undertake critical inquiry and independent research in the plant sciences leading to their substantial contribution to this field, to widen their field of knowledge, as well as to develop their professional leadership. Its first graduate can be traced in 1972 when this program was then offered by the Department of Botany of the College of Sciences and Humanities. With the renaming of the College of Sciences and Humanities to the College of Arts and Sciences in 1977, this program continued to grow and flourish at the Institute of Biological Sciences formally established in 1983. The program at present has a current teaching staff of 11 graduate faculty members (9 doctoral and 2 master degree holders) who are experts in various fields of botany.

Opportunities

Opportunities of graduates include research and/or teaching positions in the government and private sector as well as expert support in plant-based industries.

Areas of specialization

1. Economic Botany
2. Phycology
3. Plant Anatomy and Morphology
4. Plant Ecology
5. Plant Physiology
6. Plant Systematics
7. Pollination Biology

Admission requirements:

Course description:
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in environmental science is a university-wide interdisciplinary program focusing on theoretical and methodological issues in environmental science and management. Graduates of this program are expected to deal competently with contemporary concerns in environmental analysis, planning and management.

The resolution of environmental problems linking together several disciplines and organizing knowledge to have a holistic view of the factors determining environmental conditions in a given time and place. The ability to integrate biophysical, social and cultural information is crucial in analyzing and resolving environmental problems. The programs aims to sharpen the understanding of contemporary environmental issues and problems using analytic techniques, like case analysis, modeling and simulation.

Objectives

After completing the program, the student is expected to be able to:

a. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the body of knowledge in his/her chosen area of specialization in environmental science;

b. Undertake original and independent research on topics related to his/her area of specialization which would elucidate theories on the resolution of environmental problems; and

c. Contribute to the body of knowledge and methodologies in environmental science by undertaking quality scholarly work

Areas of Specialization

1. Environmental Security and Management– Provides advance training in policy and research methodologies related to the study of environmental impacts and threats to human and other populations, to communities and groups, and to their life-support eco-systems and how these can be regulated and controlled.

2. Protected Areas Planning, Development and Management– Provides advance training to develop courses in planning, managing and developing protected natural areas.

3. Social Theory and Environment– Provides advance training in the analysis of human-resource interactions and how these become the bases for designing environmental resource policies and programs.

Admission requirements:

Course description:
The application of the basic sciences and engineering to study the fundamental physical, chemical, and biochemical nature of foods and the principle of food processing.

Opportunities

Graduates in MS in food science works in the academe as professors and administrators in state colleges and universities and as researchers/scientists in the different government agencies. In the industry, they work as managers in quality assurance and R&D.

Areas of Specialization

1. Food Chemistry - Composition and properties of food and the chemical changes it undergoes

2. Food Engineering - Physical aspects of food processing including the different unit operations and related equipment

3. Food Microbiology - General biology of microorganisms in foods

4. Food Processing - Conversion of raw agricultural produce into a variety of processed or preserved food

Admission requirements:

Admission requirements:

Admission requirements:

Course description:
The MS Genetics degree program is offered by the Genetics and Molecular Biology Division of the Institute of Biological Sciences together with other units in the University of the Philippines Los Banos, Laguna. The program aims to furnish the students with a firm background in Biology with specialization in Genetics and prepare the students for competence in instruction, research and extension.

Opportunities

Graduates of Ph.D Genetics can be involved in teaching and research. International Research Institution like IRRI, and multinational companies hire our Ph.D. Genetics graduates.

Admission requirements:

Course description:
Study of the basic fields of microbiology that include microbial physiology, ecology, genetics and molecular biology and of the applied fields of microbiology that include food, industrial and medical microbiology.

Opportunities

Our graduates have occupied vital positions in the academe as faculty members or full-time researchers, in various national and multi-national corporations as quality control managers and consultants, and in medicine as highly competent doctors.

Areas of Specialization

1. Food Microbiology - Microbiological aspects of food processing, preservation, spoilage and quality control: study of food-borne microorganisms of industrial and public health importance.

2. Microbial Genetics/Molecular Microbiology - The principles of heredity in microbial systems, their applications in microbiology and molecular biology.

3. Industrial Microbiology - Microorganisms, principles and processes involved in industrial fermentation.

4. Medical Microbiology - The role and control of medically important microorganisms in human disease development.

5. Microbial Ecology - Principles of microbial ecology; inter-relationships of bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa in natural systems.

6. Microbial Physiology - Physiological processes in microorganisms including a study of structure, energy production, macromolecular biosynthesis, nutrition and growth.

7. Virology - The physical, chemical and biological properties of plant, animal and bacterial viruses.

Admission requirements:

Course description:
Molecular biology is fundamental to many disciplines and biotechnology and it's applications have become very important and useful in these disciplines. UPLB’s Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MBB) Program is an interdisciplinary program, encompassing many disciplines and involves all colleges of UPLB. It has offered the MS MBB degree since 1990 and the PhD degree since 2002. The MBB program addresses the increasing need of industry, academe and government for high caliber graduates in the field. These graduates, being well grounded in the theoretical and applied aspects of MBB, can provide the leadership and manpower to plan, direct and implement research, education as well as production and regulatory aspects of molecular biology and biotechnology and their applications especially in food, agriculture, industry and environment.

Opportunities

Institutions involved in biologicals, pharmaceuticals, fermentation, food and feed processing, diagnostics, plant and animal breeding and production, etc., are increasingly requiring graduates of molecular biology and biotechnology with advanced degrees to assume important and critical roles in teaching, research, production and management. Regulatory and monitoring agencies in the different departments of the national government such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, etc., are also in need of specialists in MBB. Students are also exposed to bioentrepreneurship and may opt to be involved in entrepreneurial pursuits.

Areas of Specialization

Students major in the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of any of the traditional fields of discipline. The students also take courses in their cognate disciplines. In the past ten years, MBB students have conducted their theses in areas/disciplines such as biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, plant breeding, plant biology, and plant pathology.

Admission requirements:

Course description:
Plant Pathology is the scientific study of plant diseases- their causes, interaction with host, taxonomy, biology, ecology, epidemiology, and development of management strategies.

Opportunities

Plant Pathology majors with advanced degrees land into more challenging administrative positions in government agencies and academic and research institutions; or supervisory/managerial positions in private industry.


Area of Specialization

1. Mycology - biodiversity works on fungi and fungal-like organisms; identification, taxonomy and physiology studies.

2. Phytobacteriology - nature and biology of bacterial plant pathogens: their classification, life cycles in relation to disease development, host physiological responses to infection, ecology and control.

3. Plant Virology - classification and nomenclature, properties of plant viruses and disease they cause, principles and techniques of virus detection and disease diagnosis; control and management of plant virus diseases.

4. Phytonematology - advances in phytonematological research with emphasis on nematode density/plant yield relationships, host-parasite relations, population dynamics, cytology, physiology, taxonomy, systemticas, and management.

5. Postharvest Pathology - the nature, pathogenesis and control of postharvest diseases of crops

6. Epidemiology - quantitative aspects of plant disease epidemiology, modeling, and systems simulation, coupling models, quantifying yield loss and multiple disease effects.

7. Disease management - exclusion and eradication of plant diseases ; protection and immunization of plants; recent advances in plant disease control.

8. Biological Control - nature, mechanisms and interaction involved in the biological control of plant pathogens ; isolation, utilization, and mass production of biological control agents.

9. Molecular Plant Pathology - molecular mechanisms of plant-pathogen interactions and application of molecular diagnostics and markers in plant pathology.

10. Disease resistance - manifestations and genetics of disease resistance in plants, nature and causes of variation in plant pathogens, breeding for disease resistance and utilization of resistant genes.

Admission requirements:

Course description:
Soil Science as a major field focuses on the understanding of the nature and properties of soils and how they relate to improvement on the uses of land particularly in agriculture. Principles in soil science provide in-depth knowledge about the behavior of soils as they are applied to crop and animal production including other uses. These principles are vital to issues related to impacts of climate change on crop and animal production particularly in relation to anticipated changes on soil temperature and moisture regimes.

Opportunities

PhD graduates in various fields of Soil Science can be effective team leaders in research, extension and agricultural development programs. They can also be good partners in the preparation and implementation of agricultural development plans. They can acquire sufficient level of expertise to serve as university professors.


Area of Specialization

1. Soil Fertility - Graduates in this field have the capability to assess adverse effects on soil health and soil quality arise from nutrient imbalances in soil, excessive fertilization, consequences of environmental pollution, trace elements and organic amendments. Soil fertility experts have the full understanding in making farms more resilient and resistant to changing climate; can explain responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity and sustainability. Current research frontiers in soil fertility are also included.

2. Soil Conservation and Management - Soil erosion and management experts can provide adequate guidance for the needed approaches using biological and mechanical conservation measures that can help improve soil quality for sustained productivity. Experts in this field also tackles the use of empirical and physically-based models in estimating soil loss, and non-technical issues in soil erosion and conservation as well as tillage systems effects on soil conditions important to crop production.

3. Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy - This area of specialization equips students with an in-depth understanding of the soil physicochemical properties and processes that influence the bioavailability, mobility and distribution of plant essential elements and pollutants in the environment. Experts in soil chemistry and mineralogy also have advanced knowledge of the transformation of rocks and minerals into different types of clay minerals and the nature and properties of the individual clay minerals. Students trained in this field acquire skills to carry out quantitative determinations of plant essential elements and pollutants in various agricultural and environmental samples.

4. Soil Morphology, Genesis and Classification - This field of specialization prepares students to fully understand the factors of soil formation namely : parent materials, organisms, topography, climate and time, the same set of factors that govern the development of different kinds of soils. In this regards they will have the mastery about the uniqueness in terms of physical and chemical properties of each of the major kinds of soils. As expert in this field of Soil Morphology, Genesis and Classification, he should be able to relate the manner by which soils are classified based on existing classification framework like the USDA Soil Taxonomy. Experts in this field should be able to relate the development and distribution and the resulting properties of major groups of soils to crop production.

5. Soil Physics - The field of soil physics equips graduates with an in-depth knowledge of the dynamic processes occuring in soils with emphasis on the transient water, solute gas, and heat. It focuses on the various laboratory technique that can help approximate the flow of liquid and gas in soil systems under saturated and unsaturated conditions.

6. Soil Microbiology - Experts in soil microbiology should be able to take advantage of their knowledge of different kinds of soil microorganisms and their role in enhancing the growth of agricultural crops. As experts in the field of soil microbiology they should have in depth knowledge of different microbial processes involved in carbon and plant nutrient transformation. Students trained in soil microbiology should be able to harness soil microorganisms to improve crop production and soil productivity through advanced knowledge of plant-microbe interaction and biotechnology.

7. Land Use - Land use experts can have adequate knowledge to help formulate land use plans especially towards improvements of existing agricultural systems under varying environmental conditions. Because of his indepth understanding about the unique features and behavior of land/soil resources and the interaction of climate as well as the prevailing political situation in an area, he can be an effective partner towards the preparation of Comprehensive Land Use Plan which is mandated by law at the municipal level. His expertise can help explore the full potential and/ or optimize the development for both agriculture and non-agricultural uses of existing land/soil land resources which is the subject of competition among different users of land.

Admission requirements:

Course description:
The PhD in Statistics program is designed to give the student a wide exposure to actual problems in statistical theory and methods.

Opportunities

Statistics has applications almost in all areas of study and with this program, a user of statistics can better appreciate the application of statistics in a given area of study. With a program that is well-balanced mixture of theory and applied courses, it is expected that the graduates of the program can very well apply statistics in other fields of interest with more confidence and understanding.

Admission requirements: