PhD (Plant Pathology) - School of Biological Sciences

An applied programme in crop protection, plant pathology involves the study and understanding of the etiology, epidemiology and management of plant diseases with the aim of increasing agricultural production and limiting losses caused by pathogens and other predisposing factors. In addition to the traditional research on the various diseases of vegetable, ornamental, tree and fruit crops, other research disciplines include the study and use of microbial pathogens as bioherbicides and role of mycorrhizae in agricultural systems. The programme comprised of several fields including crop protection, fungal pathogens, soil science, mycorrhiza, biofertilizer, bioherbicide, entomology and plant pest management. Conventional and recent biological techniques, such as molecular tools, are adopted in research activities. Some areas of research are Fusarium diseases on agricultural crops in Malaysia, the role of mycorrhiza in agricultural systems, composting and development of biofertilizer and bioenhancer by rhizobacteria.

Research Thrust Areas:

1. Plant Pathology

• Plant Pathogen
• Tropical Plant Diseases
• Plant Disease Management and Control
• Mycoherbicides
• Mycorrhiza
• Plant Pathology

Expertise available in the following School:
School of Biological Sciences

Applicants should possess one of the following:

• A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 3.00/4; or
• A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 2.50-2.99/4 with additional requirements; or
• Bachelor’s degree in related area with minimum CGPA 3.67/4 (fast-track to PhD)

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

The minimum score for each programme can be vary from the below list, candidates are required to check for each programme requirements.

• A minimum of Band 5 for IELTS; or
• A minimum score of 40 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
• A minimum of Band 7.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
• A minimum score of 154 for Cambridge English: Advance (CAE)/Proficiency (CPE) /Preliminary (PET) /First (FCE)/ Linguaskill Online min. score 154; or
• A minimum score of 47 for Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
• A minimum of Band 107 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
• A minimum of Band 3.5 for Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

Exemption is given to candidate if:

• English is the candidate’s mother tongue or National Language; or
• Candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction at Bachelor and/or Master degree level is English (statement of proof required)

Full-time: Min 4 semesters / Max 10 semesters

Part-time: Min 6 semesters /Max 15 semesters

** Fees are subject to change