PhD in Plant Protection

• Advanced Diagnostic Proficiency: Graduates will be able to identify and diagnose complex plant pests and diseases—including fungal, bacterial, viral, and nematode pathogens—at the organismal and molecular levels.
• Research and Innovation: Students develop the ability to design and execute original scientific and applied research. This includes formulating testable hypotheses, gathering field or lab data, and using advanced statistical tools for analysis.
• Sustainable Management Expertise: Graduates can design and implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies that improve crop health and productivity while protecting the environment from agro-chemical contamination.
• Technical and Psychomotor Skills: Mastery of advanced laboratory techniques, such as DNA and protein extraction, molecular biology experiments, and the manipulation of sophisticated analytical instrumentation.
• Communication and Leadership: The ability to communicate high-level research findings effectively through oral presentations, published manuscripts, and doctoral dissertations. Graduates are also prepared to take on leadership roles in academic or professional team environments.
• Professional and Ethical Responsibility: A deep appreciation for ethical conduct in science, including safety protocols and responsible resource management aligned with national development goals like Saudi Vision 2030. 

• Academic Degree: Hold a full-time Master’s degree in Plant Pathology, Entomology, Pesticides, or a closely relevant discipline from KSU or an accredited university.
• GPA: A minimum grade of “Very Good” (at least 3.75/5.00 or equivalent) in the Master’s degree.
• English Proficiency: A minimum score of 45 in TOEFL-IBT, 4 in IELTS-Academic, or 60 in the STEP test.
• General Aptitude: A minimum score of 70 in the General Abilities Test for undergraduates/graduates.
• Departmental Requirements: Successful completion of a written test and a personal interview conducted by the department.

First Year – First Semester

PLPT501 – Diagnosis of Plant Diseases – 3 Credit Hours
PLPT502 – Insect Pests – 3 Credit Hours
PLPT506 – Chemistry of Pesticides – 3 Credit Hours

First Year – Second Semester

PLPT518 – Advanced Epidemiology – 3 Credit Hours
PLPT536 – Integrated Insect Pest Management – 3 Credit Hours
PLPT529 – Pesticide Residue Analysis – 3 Credit Hours

Second Year – First Semester

PLPT534 – Biological Control – 3 Credit Hours
PLPT522 – Insect Vectors of Plant Pathogens – 3 Credit Hours
Specialized Elective Course – 3 Credit Hours

Second Year – Second Semester

Comprehensive Examination – 0 Credit Hours

Dissertation Phase

Dissertation Research – 12 Credit Hours
Doctoral Dissertation Defense – 0 Credit Hours