Plant Soil Science - Graduate

The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences offers programs of course work and research leading to the Master of Agriculture in the emphasis area of plant and soil sciences and the Master of Science degree in plant and soil sciences. The Doctor of Philosophy degree can be attained in crop science, environmental science, plant science, and soil science. Specific programs are available in the areas of plant breeding and molecular biology, biotechnology, cytogenetics, range ecology and management, forage management, weed science, crop physiology, soil morphology and genesis, soil microbiology, soil fertility and plant nutrition, soil physics, soil-water management, soil chemistry, and waste management. Applicants should indicate their specific area of interest upon application.

The graduate programs of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences prepare individuals for successful careers in a variety of areas, including farming and ranching, extension education, agricultural business, research, teaching, environmental sciences, waste management, and all aspects of crop production.

Prerequisites

Admission to the graduate program requires a B.S. degree in plant and soil sciences, agronomy or a closely related field. Applicants should have completed basic courses in plant and soil sciences, agronomy, biology, chemistry and mathematics required of undergraduate majors. Deficiencies in fundamental course requirements will be met by the student with the direction of the student's advisory committee. Applicants must be accepted by an adviser in the department prior to official admission.

Degree Requirements

Students must follow approved plans of study that meet the minimum University and departmental requirements for the respective degrees they are pursuing.

The Master of Science degree in plant and soil sciences may be earned by using the thesis option.
This plan requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work, including six credit hours of PLNT, RLEM, or SOIL 5000, master's thesis.

The Master of Agriculture degree may be earned by utilizing one of three options:

• Option A:  Formal report (non-thesis), minimum of 32 credit hours of course work, including two credit hours of PLNT, RLEM, or SOIL 5000, master's thesis.
• Option B:  Minimum of 36 credit hours of course work and a creative component.
• Option C:  Minimum of 36 credit hours of course work including six hours of credit (PLNT, RLEM, or SOIL 5230, Research) for a professional internship. The internship will consist of professional practice and an informal report. Internships for students with previously established vocations and career experience must be in areas other than the specific vocational field of the students.

The degree plans of study for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in crop science, environmental science, plant science, and soil science are developed individually for each candidate. Doctoral programs in crop science and soil science must include 10 credit hours of departmental courses at the 5000 level or above (excluding thesis), and meet certain requirements in basic disciplines such as statistics, mathematics, botany, and chemistry. Study of a foreign language is not required but can be incorporated if the student and advisory committee feel that it is desirable. Degree plans for doctoral students in plant science, that include molecular, organismal, or ecological programs of study, and in environmental sciences, that include a broad spectrum of soil, water, and waste management issues, are developed for candidates in conjunction with advisory committee approval.

You will find all of the additional information you need to know on the department homepage!

You may also wish to view the general information about this area of study here.