The Department of Plant Sciences was established as a core unit of the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences. The Department of Plant Sciences focuses its research, education and services on production and protection of plants for human utilization and is one of the pillars of food security in Oman. The Department is concerned with the application of plant sciences to sustainable agricultural development and aims to enable its graduates to address the challenges that limit sustained expansion in agricultural production, yield and quality that meets the nutritional needs of the current and future generations in the Sultanate. The Department offers a B.Sc. degree program in Crop Sciences, M.Sc. programs each in Crop Production and Crop Protection and a Ph.D. program in Crop Sciences. The Department also offers Postgraduate diploma programs in Crop Production and Crop protection. Our graduates are working in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Oman Botanic Garden, Diwan of Royal Court and in the private sector. The Department of Plant Sciences has an outstanding record of producing internationally recognized and award-winning publications in top journals. The faculty members of the department are actively engaged in teaching, research and consultancy activities highly relevant to Oman. Funding for the research activities comes from His Majesty Trust Fund Strategic Grants, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, SQU internal grants, private companies, and regional and international funding agencies. The faculty members are also active in outreach, especially in supporting the farming community with advice and other diagnostic services. They also frequently present the results of their research at local workshops and symposia, and national and international conferences.

Dr. Muhammad Farooq
Associate Professor & HOD