Mar 28, 2024  
2009-2010 Graduate Catalog 
    
2009-2010 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Plant Sciences Major, MS


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Both thesis and non-thesis options are available for the major in plant sciences, each guided by a graduate committee consisting of the major professor and two or more other faculty members. Studies are possible in a wide variety of commodities and subject areas, including fruits, vegetables, weeds, cereals, grains, turfgrass, woody ornamentals, and public horticulture. Students may specialize in one or more disciplines, including plant protection, molecular biology, breeding, genetics, biotechnology, physiology, ecology, culture and management.

Admission
Students should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with evidence of ability to do work of graduate quality. Applicants are expected to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale.

Application must be made to both the Office of Graduate and International Admissions and the Department of Plant Sciences. The departmental application requires three letters of reference (or three Graduate Rating Forms) from persons capable of assessing the applicant’s suitability for graduate work in plant science, resume, and a statement of professional goals and reasons for applying to the program. Applicants are also required to submit scores from the general Graduate Record Examination to Graduate and International Admissions (send photocopy to department). Successful applicants will usually score above the 50th percentile on the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections of the Graduate Record Examination. Prior undergraduate course work in mathematics, biology and chemistry is recommended.

Requirements

For additional information on degree requirements, please see The Graduate School  link.

Thesis Option

  • Satisfactory preparation of a written thesis proposal and its oral defense to the student’s committee. 
  • Successful completion of 30 hours of graduate credit, which must include 6 hours of PLSC 500 . At least 14 of these hours must be numbered 501 or above. 
  • Preparation of a written thesis and its oral defense.

Non-Thesis Option

  • Successful completion of 34 hours of graduate credit, which must include 2-4 hours of PLSC 503 . At least 22 of these hours must be at the 500 level or above. 
  • Completion of a project and preparation of a written report summarizing the project. 
  • Passing written and oral examinations covering the project and course work.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources