
Plant pathology is understanding plant-microbe interactions
Plant pathology is the study of plants, the diseases that affect them, and how external factors influence plant health.
As a Plant Pathology major you will:
- Learn about plants, pathogens, and associated microbes at genetic, biochemical, physiological, cellular, population, and community levels and how they apply to agricultural and environmental systems
- Analyze how external factors such as soil health, weather, nonpathogenic microorganisms, and plant nutrition affect plant health and disease
- Understand plant pathology and how its role in improving agricultural and environmental systems influences the world around us including global food/feed/fiber/fuel security, environmental health, and community satisfaction
Career Paths
Plant pathology graduates are prepared to find employment in education, biotechnology companies, government agencies, agricultural research, diagnostic laboratories; seed, plant production, and tissue culture companies, and in a variety of private consulting firms.
Here are just a few examples of what plant pathology graduates are doing with their careers:
Your CALS Experience
Learn outside the lecture hall
Work alongside plant pathology faculty, staff, and graduate students in research labs and in the field. Research the use of computer modeling in the development of disease forecasting and crop management systems, understand the ecology of microbial pathogens, and so much more.
Gain real-world experience with an internship
Plant pathology students can earn credit for their internships. Complement what you learn in class, gain real-world experience, and advance in your academic career with a semester or summer internship. The Department of Plant Pathology also offers paid research opportunities during summer term.
Connect with plant pathology students
What’s Eating My Plants? is a student-led outreach organization that aims to increase scientific accessibility and literacy to the greater Madison community. Volunteer at Family Science Nights at schools, community centers, and Saturday Science at the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery throughout the year.
Gain a global perspective
Travel internationally and complement your coursework and research with a study abroad program. Learn about plant protection from pests in Irelan to organic production systems in the Netherlands to studying management of diseases and pests of forest trees in Sweden.
You can also choose from one of UW–Madison’s short-term, summer, or semester programs and map your study abroad as a plant pathology major.
Customize your path
You’ll take core plant pathology courses and then choose which focus area you’d like to specialize in.
- Plant-microbe biology focus: explore the biology, chemistry, and physics of plant pathology and its applications in biochemistry and microbiology.
- Plant health and industry focus: explore plant pathology, entomology, and other agricultural sciences in addition to concepts in agriculture and economics.
100%
Students who complete independent or directed study
2
Areas of focus
100%
Students who participate in research
Advisor & Contact Information
Advisors can answer your questions, help you create a degree plan that meets your personal and professional goals, and connect you to resources across the UW–Madison campus.
Incoming students should reach out to CALS Academic Affairs to direct your questions. Current UW–Madison students should schedule with their assigned advisor using Starfish.
CALS Academic Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu
(608) 262-3003
Department of Plant Pathology
Russell Labs
1630 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-6838

Want to learn more about the plant pathology major?