Requirements for the Masters degree

 Credit hours required:

The Plant Health Program in the area of Plant Pathology requires 30 credit hours, of which six are research credits.  A non-thesis option is available as a terminal degree in Plant Pathology and requires 36 credit hours.  The Crop Physiology area requires 31 credit hours, of which six are research credits.

 Thesis research:

The preparation of a thesis is an important element in the program leading to the Master’s degree.  The Master’s thesis should demonstrate a capacity for research, originality of thought, and facility in organizing materials.  It must be acceptable in subject matter and exhibit credible literary workmanship.  At least 6 credit hours of thesis research are required for the Master’s degree with the thesis option.  Instructions on preparation and submission of the Master’s thesis may be obtained from the LSU Graduate School.

 Thesis research proposal and program of study:

During the first or second semester of study, a candidate for a M.S. degree is required to have a research proposal and a program of study accepted by his or her Graduate Advisory Committee.  A Graduate Advisory Committee meeting, scheduled 3 weeks prior to the proposal date, is made through the Department Head.  The research proposed and the proposed program of study must be in the hands of the Graduate Advisory Committee members 10 calendar days prior to the scheduled committee meeting.  Graduate students are encouraged to prepare a detailed research proposal including an Introduction, Literature Review, Objectives, Materials and Methods, Justification, and Relevant Literature.  The proposed program of study should include a list of courses completed and those proposed to meet the requirements in a specified program of study.

 Graduate advisory committee:

Final acceptance of the Master’s thesis rests with the Graduate Advisory committee of three or more members of the Graduate Faculty, who are nominated by the Head of the Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology and appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School.  The major professor is designated as the chairman of this committee.  One member of the committee must be a full Member of the Graduate Faculty from the major department.  Students who do not have a minor field of study may have all members of the committee from the department.  If the student has selected a minor, one committee member must represent the minor department.  The Dean of the Graduate School may serve as a member on any committee or may appoint additional members.

 Comprehensive final examination:

Each candidate for a Master’s degree will be required to pass a Comprehensive Final Examination.  This examination may be oral, written, or both.  In the case of a non-thesis program, greater weight is ordinarily given to this examination, and it will probably be broader in scope than the examination given to a student who completes a thesis.

At least 3 weeks prior to the time of this examination, the Head of the Department must submit to the Dean of the Graduate School a request for appointment of the examining committee.  It is the function of this committee to conduct the Comprehensive Final Examination.  At least 10 days prior to the scheduled Comprehensive Final Examination, the student must give each member of the examining committee a thoroughly edited and completed draft of the M.S. thesis.  Normally, a candidate for the Master of Science degree will take the Comprehensive Final Examination during the semester which he or she plans to graduate.  If a student wishes to take the Comprehensive Final Examination at an earlier date, the student’s committee must furnish the Graduate Dean a sound academic reason for doing so.

The Comprehensive Final Examination Committee, nominated by the Head of the Department and appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School, is ordinarily composed of those faculty members who serve as the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee.  At least one member of the examining committee must be a full member of the Graduate Faculty from the major department.  The major professor usually serves as Chairman of the Comprehensive Final Examination Committee.  Representatives of the Graduate Faculty may be added by the Dean of the Graduate School.  In order for the student to pass this examination, there may not be more than one dissenting vote.

M.S. Program in Plant Health Research Area in Plant Pathology

A candidate must have completed a graduate course in statistics and a graduate course in biochemistry to be eligible for the M.S. degree.

 ¹At least 15 credit hours must be at the 7000 level or above (this may include 6 credits of PLHL 8000 in the thesis program)

M.S. Program in Plant Health Research Area in Crop Physiology

¹All candidates are required to attend seminar (PLHL 7052) each semester it is offered unless they have a class conflict.

²This is not an exclusive listing; other courses may be used with the consent of the student's advisory committee.

³M.S. candidates are encouraged to undertake a special research problem (PLHL 8900) for two credits sometime during their program. The purpose of the special program is to broaden the student's research experience.

⁴At least 15 credit hours must be at the 7000 level or above (including 6 credits of PLHL 8000) by Graduate School regulations.

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