For Masters of Science:
The semester that the student plans on graduating, an Application for Graduation and Diploma Form (obtained from the Associate Dean's Office) needs to be filled out and submitted to the Associate Dean's Office at the time of registration or within two weeks thereafter. The required graduation fee must be paid at the Bursar's office. After research work is completed, the student should provide a typewritten copy of his/her thesis to committee members one month before the final oral examination. The final exam should be scheduled no later than three weeks prior to the end of the semester. A Shuttle Sheet Request must be filed at the office of the Director of Plant & Soil Sciences at least two weeks before the exam. The major advisor should receive a Report of Results form prior to the defense date. After the thesis defense, the Report of Results form should be signed and submitted to the Associate Dean's Office. After thesis defense, the thesis is filed electronically and a signed Approval of Thesis/Dissertation form must be turned in to the library’s electronic thesis and dissertation office. More details are available on the blue forms for Check List for Master's Candidates. Instructions to Graduate Advisors and Department Chairs for completion of degree are available in the Graduate Student Records office (1004 Ag Science).
For Ph.D.:
The preliminary or comprehensive examination is given usually after the second year of study when the student has essentially completed formal course requirements, and in most circumstances no later than the third year. The purpose of the exam is for the advisory committee to assess the competence of the student. It will consist of a written and an oral exam administered within a month of each other, with the oral exam occurring after evaluation of the written exam.
The semester that the student plans on graduating, an Application for Graduation and Diploma Form (obtained from the Associate Dean's Office) needs to be filled out and submitted to the Associate Dean's Office at the time of registration or within two weeks thereafter. The required graduation fee must be paid at the Bursar's office. Upon completion of research work, the student should provide a typewritten copy of his/her dissertation to committee members one month before the final defense. The dissertation defense should be scheduled no later than three weeks prior to the end of the semester. A yellow Shuttle Sheet Request form must be filed at the office of the Director of Plant & Soil Sciences at least three weeks before the exam. The major advisor should receive a Report of Results form prior to the defense date. After the final defense, that form should be signed and submitted to the Associate Dean's Office. The dissertation must be filed electronically, and a signed Approval of Thesis/Dissertation form must be turned in to the library’s electronic thesis and dissertation office. More details are available on the green forms for Check List for Ph.D. Candidates. Instructions to Graduate Advisors and Department Chairs on pink paper are available in the Graduate Student Records Office (1004 Ag Science).