All applicants should have obtained a bachelor's degree in one of the biological or agricultural sciences, or a suitable equivalent. Preparation for the graduate programs frequently emphasizes courses such as botany, genetics, plant physiology, zoology, entomology, microbiology, biochemistry, or chemistry. Training in other areas may be appropriate for certain programs of graduate study. Any undergraduate course deficiencies must generally be addressed early in the graduate program.

Admission to the graduate programs is determined on the basis of the student's undergraduate preparation, grade point average, letters of recommendation, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test score, and applicant's statement of objectives and interest. Admission is also determined by the availability of a major professor, facilities and financial support in the student's area of interest. Foreign applicants and Permanent Residents are required to submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if their previous training has been in a language other than English. A minimum score of 550 is required.

Applications cannot be processed until all required supporting documentation is received. Please be sure to submit your (US) $70 domestic or $85 international application fee.

The University of California, Riverside does not provide hard copy applications. All applications must be submitted electronically at Graduate Division Application.