Agricultural Science, Plant Science major, Non-Thesis Option, MS

Program Overview

This non-thesis Master's program offers a research project and directed electives instead of a thesis. Students can specialize in areas relevant to their professional development. The program culminates in written and oral comprehensive exit exams to assess students' proficiency. Graduates are qualified for careers in academia, industry, government, and non-profit organizations in fields such as plant science and agriculture.

Program Outline

Outline:

• The non-thesis option differs from the existing Master of Science degree program by replacing the six (6) hours of thesis with a research project and two directed electives and administering written and oral comprehensive exit exams designed and administered by the student’s graduate committee.
• The replacement courses will not include supervised research or thesis and will be selected by the student with the approval of their graduate committee and the Graduate Coordinator.
• These additional courses will permit students to further focus their graduate training in specialties they and their committee believe are important to their professional development.
• The only exception to this is that students will be required to take one (1) hour of supervised research in their final semester of enrollment for the expressed purpose of taking their written and oral exit exams.
• The exit exam will permit the committee to assess the student’s overall level of professional competency and assure that graduates leave the program with a consistent level of proficiency.
• At the discretion of the student’s graduate committee and the Graduate Coordinator, the written and oral exit exams could include a multiple-semester research project designed to allow students following the non-thesis option an opportunity to conduct applied research.

Assessment:

• Students must give an exit seminar and pass a final examination administered by the Supervisory Committee.
The exam has both written and oral components and each member of the committee participates in both exams.
• The oral portion of the exam is administered by the student’s Supervisory committee.
• The Graduate Coordinator and a representative of the Graduate Council with questioning and voting privileges must participate in the oral exam.
• The examination cannot be taken earlier than the term before the degree is to be awarded.

Careers:

• Graduates will be qualified for positions in various sectors such as academia, industry, government, and non-profit organizations.
• Graduates could work as Plant Scientists, Agriculturists, Botanists, or Agricultural Consultants.