Graduate Student Handbook
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Washington State University
2009-2010
Introduction
Welcome to the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS) at Washington State University! We are proud to offer world-class M.S. and Ph.D. graduate programs in a broad array of areas including crop genetics and breeding, environmental soil science, soil geomorphology and geographical information systems, turfgrass management, crop and weed ecology and management, precision agriculture, sustainable agriculture and organic farming, and soil conservation/soil quality. Our goal is to train tomorrow’s leaders, scientists and educators to make valuable and lasting contributions in their chosen field or endeavor. To achieve this goal, CSS provides students the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge in their field, to develop critical thinking skills and to conduct original, creative, cutting-edge research. CSS students have opportunities to teach in the classroom and in outreach programs. Students also have the opportunity to develop a breadth of knowledge across the varied CSS disciplines and beyond by interacting with colleagues and faculty working in research areas outside of their own.
This handbook will acquaint you with Graduate School and CSS guidelines and policies. Failure to follow these policies and observe the degree requirements inevitably results in complications and could delay or jeopardize completion of your degree. Please read this handbook carefully and keep the copy to refer to throughout your program here.
We have a long-standing commitment to financially supporting our CSS graduate students with a combination of funds from Washington State and from various private and governmental external grants. Since the availability of these funds fluctuates from year to year, we cannot guarantee support for all students throughout their entire programs. Nevertheless, we have an outstanding and consistent track-record of fully supporting our productive and progressive students from the day they start to the day they complete their degree. Graduate students on formal appointment and receiving a stipend are considered full-time graduate assistants in the department. These appointments represent an agreement between the student and the department with each party having defined responsibilities. Academic responsibilities are defined in this handbook. Your advisor and committee define your research responsibilities. Being a graduate student is more than a full time endeavor and requires your full attention and effort to succeed. Employment in addition to an assistantship is not permitted. Students generally devote half of their time to class studies and half to their research under the guidance of a major professor. Students are expected to complete their research project and thesis prior to graduation. Publication of the research is an expected outcome of graduate research.
Most agree that the time they spent in graduate school was some of the most challenging and rewarding in their life. Immerse yourself in the experience and take full advantage of the many social and professional opportunities coming your way. You will make many new and lasting friends from around the U.S. and world. Your time here will be filled with personal and professional growth, change, and accomplishment. At times you may want to give up. Don’t. The CSS faculty and staff are dedicated to enriching your graduate experience and ensuring that it is World Class. We wish you every success in your program and your subsequent endeavors in crop and soil science-related professions.
Richard T. Koenig
Chair, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
August 2009
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