Establishing a Committee - The major advisor and student will select an Advisory Committee no later than the end of the first semester of residence. The minimum number of members for the advisory committee are 3 for M.S. students, and 4 for Ph.D. students. The Ph.D. committee must have at least one member from outside the School. At this meeting, the committee will become familiar with the student's training, background, and research interests. The committee also will orient and advise the student regarding research and course-work.

Plan of Study : Students are expected to present to their major advisor a draft Program of Study that meets all requirements. After review and approval by the major advisor, the Plan of Study must be reviewed and approved by all members of the students advisory committee. After approval, the Plan of Study is submitted to the Graduate School through the Student Administration Center in the School. It is the student's responsibility to see that the Plan Study is submitted to the Graduate School on time (prior to completing 12 credit hours toward the M.S. degree, and before completing 18 credit hours beyond the M.S. toward the Ph.D. degree). Changes to the Plan of Study must be approved by the advisory committee and submitted to the Graduate School through the Student Administration Center.

Research Proposal - As research is initiated for a degree, a Research Proposal will be presented in writing and orally to the student's Advisory Committee. This proposal should include sections containing: (a) an abbreviated literature search; (b) clear and concise objectives; (c) proposed experimental procedures; and (4) data analysis and presentation procedures. The purpose of this requirement is to determine whether the research proposed is adequate to satisfy degree requirements and to assist the student in clarifying objectives and procedures. The time to present the proposal will be determined by the major advisor and the committee. Students are encouraged to begin this process as soon as possible in order to complete their studies in a timely manner and with minimal wasted efforts!

Report on Research - Each graduate student will present an annual progress report  to his/her Advisory Committee and other interested persons prior to the final examination. The purpose of such reports is to evaluate the research progress and make suggestions for modifications or additions to the research objectives or procedures. A one page summary evaluation of the annual report is to be provided to the Graduate Coordinator.

Preparation of Theses/Dissertations or Non-Thesis M.S. Project Reports - The student, with the assistance of his or her major professor, has the responsibility for preparation of the thesis/dissertation/project report. While the Graduate School specifies certain formats, it leaves matters of style largely to departments, but urges that the style conform to the major professional or scientific journals in the student's area of interest. Therefore, the CSES program suggests that theses/dissertations/project reports follow the style of journals of the American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, or other sources acceptable by the committee. Students may find that certain mechanical considerations for manuscripts will differ between journals and those specified by the Graduate School. Follow the Graduate Policies and Procedures in such cases. Preparation of the thesis/dissertation/project report in proper style will facilitate the preparation of manuscripts for publication. All theses and dissertations must be submitted to the Graduate School in electronic format. Seminars are given by the Graduate School each semester to familiarize students with the procedures needed to prepare the electronic submission. Students are expected to know these procedures and prepare the thesis or dissertation to meet all requirements.

Each section of the thesis/dissertation/project report should be prepared to the satisfaction of the Major Professor before being given to the other members of the Advisory Committee for review. Each section is to be provided to the committee members as it is completed. All sections of the thesis/dissertation are to be reviewed by the committee at least 14 days prior to the examination. Students will provide the members of the Advisory Committee the complete and revised thesis/dissertation at least 7 days prior to the oral examination/defense.

Even though each member of the Advisory Committee will have provided suggestions or requirements for revisions of the thesis/dissertation/project report prior to the final examination, some corrections or additions will always be necessary even following a successful final examination. The Graduate School generally allows a period of two weeks after the final examination to submit the final version of the thesis or dissertation. The final project report is submitted only to the Major Advisor and Advisory Committee.

Foreign Language Requirement - The department does not require a foreign language for any degree.

Establishing a Committee - The major advisor and student will select an Advisory Committee no later than the end of the first semester of residence. The minimum number of members for the advisory committee are 3 for M.S. students, and 4 for Ph.D. students. The Ph.D. committee must have at least one member from outside the School. At this meeting, the committee will become familiar with the student's training, background, and research interests. The committee also will orient and advise the student regarding research and course-work.

Plan of Study : Students are expected to present to their major advisor a draft Program of Study that meets all requirements. After review and approval by the major advisor, the Plan of Study must be reviewed and approved by all members of the students advisory committee. After approval, the Plan of Study is submitted to the Graduate School through the Student Administration Center in the School. It is the student's responsibility to see that the Plan Study is submitted to the Graduate School on time (prior to completing 12 credit hours toward the M.S. degree, and before completing 18 credit hours beyond the M.S. toward the Ph.D. degree. Changes to the Plan of Study must be approved by the advisory committee and submitted to the Graduate School through the Student Administration Center.

Research Proposal - As research is initiated for a degree, a Research Proposal will be presented in writing and orally to the student's Advisory Committee. This proposal should include sections containing: (a) an abbreviated literature search; (b) clear and concise objectives; (c) proposed experimental procedures; and (4) data analysis and presentation procedures. The purpose of this requirement is to determine whether the research proposed is adequate to satisfy degree requirements and to assist the student in clarifying objectives and procedures. The time to present the proposal will be determined by the major advisor and the committee. Students are encouraged to begin this process as soon as possible in order to complete their studies in a timely manner and with minimal wasted efforts!

Report on Research - Each graduate student will present an annual progress report  to his/her Advisory Committee and other interested persons prior to the final examination. The purpose of such reports is to evaluate the research progress and make suggestions for modifications or additions to the research objectives or procedures. A one page summary evaluation of the annual report is to be provided to the Graduate Coordinator.

Preparation of Theses/Dissertations or Non-Thesis M.S. Project Reports - The student, with the assistance of his or her major professor, has the responsibility for preparation of the thesis/dissertation/project report. While the Graduate School specifies certain formats, it leaves matters of style largely to departments, but urges that the style conform to the major professional or scientific journals in the student's area of interest. Therefore, the School suggests that theses/dissertations/project reports follow the style of journals of the American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, or other sources acceptable by the committee. Students may find that certain mechanical considerations for manuscripts will differ between journals and those specified by the Graduate School. Follow the Graduate Policies and Procedures in such cases. Preparation of the thesis/dissertation/project report in proper style will facilitate the preparation of manuscripts for publication. All theses and dissertations must be submitted to the Graduate School in electronic format. Seminars are given by the Graduate School each semester to familiarize students with the procedures needed to prepare the electronic submission. Students are expected to know these procedures and prepare the thesis or dissertation to meet all requirements.

Each section of the thesis/dissertation/project report should be prepared to the satisfaction of the Major Professor before being given to the other members of the Advisory Committee for review. Each section is to be provided to the committee members as it is completed. All sections of the thesis/dissertation are to be reviewed by the committee at least 14 days prior to the examination. Students will provide the members of the Advisory Committee the complete and revised thesis/dissertation at least 7 days prior to the oral examination/defense.

Even though each member of the Advisory Committee will have provided suggestions or requirements for revisions of the thesis/dissertation/project report prior to the final examination, some corrections or additions will always be necessary even following a successful final examination. The Graduate School generally allows a period of two weeks after the final examination to submit the final version of the thesis or dissertation. The final project report is submitted only to the Major Advisor and Advisory Committee.

Foreign Language Requirement - The department does not require a foreign language for any degree.