Graduate Studies at the Missouri Botanical Garden [Use the links in the yellow bar above to navigate through this site.] Research on Plant Systematics, Evolution and Ecology The Missouri Botanical Garden offers a broad-based program of graduate studies in systematic botany in cooperation with Washington University, Saint Louis University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Students apply to and enroll at one of these universities and complete the degree requirements of that school, but have full access to the staff, facilities, laboratory, and research opportunities available at the Garden. The exceptional faculties and programs at these universities in population biology and genetics, ecology, and molecular biology, combined with the excellent herbarium, library, greenhouse facilities, and research staff at the Garden, make this a unique and stimulating graduate program. The Garden's strong commitment to tropical research provides students with outstanding opportunities for field-oriented studies. Peter H. Raven, Director of the Garden, is Engelmann Professor of Botany at Washington University, and many of the Curators are adjunct faculty members at one or more of the participating universities. A student can work under the direction of any regular or adjunct faculty member at his/her university. Students may pursue masters or doctoral degrees at University of Missouri-St. Louis, Washington University, and Saint Louis University, and a masters degree at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Currently, thirty-two graduate students carry out dissertation research with an advisor at Missouri Botanical Garden. Twenty-one Missouri Botanical Garden scientists are adjunct professors at one or more of the area universities. The Garden scientists advise students, direct research, serve on dissertation committees and teach courses. Reciprocally, fourteen faculty members from the area universities serve as research associates at the Garden. Dr. P. Mick Richardson serves as the manager of the Garden's Graduate Program.