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Graduate students in Applied Plant Sciences gain a broad familiarity with all the disciplines within the program and gain in-depth knowledge within their area of specialization. The program’s graduate faculty are drawn primarily from the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics and the Department of Horticultural Science, but also from the Departments of Plant Pathology; Plant Biology; Soil, Water, and Climate; and Landscape Architecture.
M.S. Degree Requirements
The M.S. degree is offered under Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (with special project). Plan A requires a minimum of 14 credits in the major field, 6 credits in a related or minor field, and 10 M.S. thesis credits. Plan B requires a minimum of 14 credits in the major field, 6 credits in a related or minor field, and 10 additional course credits.
A common curriculum comprises a course in statistical analysis, a course in plant biology, and an orientation to Minnesota crop production and research methods. The additional course requirements are flexible and are determined in consultation with the student’s adviser and advisory committee. M.S. students present one graduate seminar. Candidates for the M.S. degree need to pass a final oral exam. Students usually complete the M.S. degree in two years.
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
The Ph.D. degree emphasizes original research that contributes significantly to the knowledge base in the student’s field of specialization. Ph.D. students need to complete a minimum of 30 credits in the major field, 12 credits in a related or minor field, and 24 Ph.D. thesis credits. Courses taken during M.S. studies count towards these requirements.
In addition to the common curriculum required for M.S. students, Ph.D. students need to complete a supervised-teaching course, a current-topics course, and a thesis-proposal seminar. Additional course requirements are flexible and are determined in consultation with the student’s adviser and advisory committee. Ph.D. students need to pass a series of written preliminary exams followed by an oral preliminary exam. Ph.D. candidates need to pass a final oral exam based on the candidate’s Ph.D. dissertation. Students usually complete the Ph.D. in two or three years (after the M.S. degree).
Detailed Course Requirements
Specific courses for each specialization are listed in the PDF files below:
Performance Evaluations and Prelim Exams
Current students in Applied Plant Sciences need to be making satisfactory progress towards the completion of their degrees. Annual performance evaluations are required for reappointment as research assistants. Ph.D. students are expected to begin taking the written prelim exams in their second semester of study.
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