Grad School / Program:
- Contact:
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272 Plant and Soil Sciences Building
Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
Michigan State University (MSU)
East Lansing, MI 48824
United States
Phone: 517-355-0271 ext 1111
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- Degrees Granted:
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Masters, Doctorate
- Programs offered:
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On-campus
- Description:
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The graduate program in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences is an important and integral part of the department's total activities in teaching, extension, research and international programs. The department places a high priority on graduate education and attempts to create an intellectual environment conducive to effective learning. In order to facilitate maximum personal development, the department's program is flexible and permits substantial freedom by both students and faculty. This is intended to permit and encourage individual initiative by students in developing their educational programs and to provide the maximum basis for originality and creativity.
Though certain minimum requirements must be satisfied, a wide range of programs can be developed to fit the unique interests and needs of individual students. Programs can be developed to emphasize training in crop science or soil science with various fields of specialization in each area. Since the student, under the direction of his/her major professor and guidance committee, is given wide range and latitude in developing programs, it is important that the student accept the responsibility for making early and thoughtful decisions with regard to total program content. Though program changes may be required at a later date, it is important that the overall direction of the student's program, including research, be developed at an early date. Appropriate research areas include the applied fields as well as problems with a theoretical or methodological focus. In many cases a combination of these approaches will emerge. This document also describes the guidelines for the development of individual graduate programs and specifies the evaluation procedures to be used to assure that each graduate has achieved an acceptable level of competence.
- Admission Information:
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The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences offers graduate programs leading to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. A student in the department may purse studies related to plant genetics and breeding, molecular biology of plants and microorganisms, physiology and management of crops, weed control, turfgrass management, soil genesis and classification, soil biochemistry, soil microbiology, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil fertility, soil management, ecological, environmental and pollution aspects of soils, hazardous waste treatment, sustainable agriculture systems, agriculture statistics, biometry, and nitrogen biotechnology studies. Depending on specialty area and previous preparation, taking supporting courses selected among botany, biochemistry, microbiology, chemistry, genetics, geology, plant pathology, and statistics may be necessary to fulfill academic requirements.
Applications are considered throughout the year. However, decisions on acceptance and assignment of assistantships or fellowships are often made well in advance of the student's starting date. Therefore, it is important that you can complete your application at an early date to ensure a timely evaluation of your application and for consideration of available financial support. Applications for Fall admission should be received by January 1.
Although not all programs in our department require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), it Is strongly recommended that all applicants take the GRE. If you are applying to the Plant Breeding and Genetics group, GRE scores are mandatory. The general GRE is offered in October, December, and April. Applicants are required to have three letters of reference forwarded to the Chairperson of the Graduate Programs Committee with in Crop and Soil Sciences. Applications forms and further descriptive materials can be obtained from the Graduate Programs Office or can be submitted electronically via the Graduate School website.
- Grad Program Website:
- http://www.css.msu.edu/GraduateDegree.cfm
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