Concentrations include bioinformatics, genomics, and molecular interactions; organismal biology, ecology, and systematics; and sustainable disease and integrated pest management.?

The student and the major professor will select a minimum of three additional faculty, holding the rank of assistant professor or above, to serve on the student's doctoral committee. The major professor and two committee members must be approved to direct doctoral research by the Graduate Council. At least one member of the committee must be from outside the department. The doctoral committee must be formalized by the end of the second semester of graduate study.