The Department of Plant and Soil Science in the land-grant tradition undertakes teaching, research and extension functions and offers B.S. degree programs in plant science, forestry, and environmental science.  The Department fulfills its instructional mission by also offering M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs in Plant and Soil Science. 

Both programs derive their principal impetus from the strong commitment to research of the Department's faculty and research staff.  The M.S. degree in Plant and Soil Science is designed to further the specialized professional training of the students through formal courses while at the same time teaching the student how to conduct research and present pertinent results. 

The Ph.D. program is designed to meet specific career objectives of the students.  This degree focuses on research, which must reflect the student's original thinking and should demonstrate the ability of independent investigation. 

In both of these degree programs (M.S. and Ph.D.), students may specialize in one of the following areas:  Plant Breeding, Tissue Culture, Plant Genetics and Cytogenetics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Crop Production, Sustainable Agriculture, Seed Science and Technology, Plant Physiology, Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Forestry, Entomology, Environmental Science, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Soil Chemistry, Soil Fertility, Soil Microbiology or Soil Genesis, Morphology and Conservation.  Interaction between human and ecosystems is an emerging area of specialization.  Students can also take courses in related subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science, Food Science and Agricultural Economics.  

In addition, a specialization/minor is offered in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (18 hours required; must include SPS 574, 576/776, 775; other courses include SPS 571, 581, and CMP 501, 503, 515).

            ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

Master's Degree  For admission to the Master of Science program in Plant and Soil Science, the candidate must satisfy the general requirements of the Graduate School.  In addition, the candidate must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 (based on a 4.00 system), or a 3.00 in the student's major area of concentration, for regular admission.  Students may be admitted conditionally with a provisional admission if they have a GPA of 2.50 to 2.75, or 2.75 to 3.00 in the major area of concentration.  Subject area deficiencies must be removed during the student's M.S. program. 

Doctor of Philosophy  An applicant must satisfy the general admission requirements of the Graduate School to be admitted in the doctoral program.  In addition, prospective candidates must have: 

1.         An M.S. degree in agronomy, horticulture, plant science, soil science, or related area.

2.         A minimum overall GPA of 2.75 in B.S. course work and 3.00 in M.S. courses taken (based on a 4.00 system).*

3.         A minimum combined score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.*

4.         Three letters of reference indicating the student's academic background and ability to pursue the Ph.D. program.

5.         A letter of application which includes a personal statement on career objectives and research interest.

*Candidates who have some deficiencies in their background but meet most of the requirements for admission may be granted a provisional admission into the program.  Upon completing preliminary work with a minimum GPA of 3.00, regular admission will be granted. 

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 

Master's Degree 

Thesis Option  A minimum of 30 hours at graduate level is required for the Master of Science degree.  Only 6 thesis credits can be applied toward the minimum 30 credit.  All candidates are required to enroll in a graduate seminar course and to present at least one seminar.  All candidates must successfully pass a final oral thesis examination after completion of their thesis and approval by their committee. 

Non-Thesis Option  A minimum of 32 semester hours of course work is required.  The student will also be required to complete 4 semester hours of comprehensive report (SPS 598) and complete a written or oral comprehensive examination. 

Doctor of Philosophy To fulfill the Doctor of Philosophy requirements, at least 50 percent of the credit hours required for graduation must be earned within a period of two consecutive calendar years on Alabama A&M University's campus.  The Department's Graduate Committee and the School of Graduate Studies must approve deviations from this.  Additionally, each candidate must complete the following program requirements: 

1.      Complete a set of core courses as recommended by the advisory committee.

2.      Demonstrate competence in the area of interest (depending upon the student's background and specialization).  A minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate course work must be completed beyond the master's level of which a minimum of 30 credit hours must be at the 500 level or above.  Nine credit hours, excluding doctoral dissertation, must be completed at the 700 level.  All courses have to be selected from the approved list and as recommended in the program of study by the student's advisory committee.

3.      Complete a written dissertation involving a minimum of 12 semester hours of dissertation credits beyond the master's level.  To be acceptable, the dissertation must constitute a significant contribution to current knowledge and be approved by all members of the student's advisory committee.

4.      Satisfy a language requirement by either (a) demonstrating a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language, or (b) satisfactorily complete (grade of "B" or better) one 200 or higher level course in a foreign language or (c) complete 6  semester hours of computer science languages.

5.      Participate in a meaningful teaching experience for at least one semester.

6.      Successfully complete both a written and oral comprehensive examination after the completion of at least 80 percent of the prescribed course work.  The comprehensive examination will cover the course work taken by the student and any subject logically related to an understanding of the subject matter within the student's area of concentration.

7.      Present a seminar on the dissertation research results, normally immediately prior to the final defense of the dissertation.