Program Overview

Applied and Agricultural Biology - Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy in Applied and Agricultural Biology is a research-based degree that focuses on the application of biological principles to agricultural and environmental systems. The program is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in areas such as entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and agricultural ecology.

Program Requirements

• Course List:
  • EPWS 525: Advanced Scientific Writing (3 credits)
  • EPWS 613: Introduction to Scientific Writing (3 credits)
  • EPWS 690: Doctoral Seminar (1 credit)
  • EPWS 6991: Doctoral Research (maximum of 6 credits)
  • EPWS 7000: Doctoral Dissertation (1-15 credits)
  • BIOL 540: Science and Ethics (3 credits)
• Students will take at least 12 credits from the following:
  • EPWS 525: Advanced Scientific Writing (3 credits)
  • EPWS 640: Tropical Insect Ecology (3 credits)
  • EPWS 660: Ecology and Management of Invasive Plant Species (3 credits)
  • EPWS 662: Parasitology (3 credits)
  • EPWS 675: Urban Entomology (3 credits)
  • EPWS 6996: Advanced Topics (1-6 credits)
• Students are required to take at least 6 credits from the following:
  • A ST 503: SAS Basics (3 credits)
  • A ST 504: Statistical Software Applications (1 credit)
  • A ST 505: Statistical Inference I (4 credits)
  • A ST 506: Statistical Inference II (0-3 credits)
  • A ST 509: Statistical Models for Complex Data Structures (3 credits)
  • A ST 511: Statistical Methods for Data Analytics (3 credits)
  • A ST 515: Statistical Analysis with R (3 credits)
  • A ST 540: Predictive Analytics (3 credits)
• Courses, including special topics, can be substituted with advisor's approval.
• Additionally, new approved graduate level courses may be submitted with advisor's approval.

Degree Requirements

• Candidates are accepted into the department to work with a specific faculty member that serves as their major advisor and committee chair.
• Students will develop a dissertation committee in collaboration with their advisor that includes at least two other members of the graduate faculty, at least one of which must be from the same department, and a Dean's representative who must come from outside the department.
• The committee should be established during the second semester of study.
• Students will select classes with the help of their major advisor based on background and interests.
• Students with a M.S. degree are expected to complete their degree in 3-4 years, but may be allowed up to 7 years to complete the requirements if they begin with a B.S.
• For students with a M.S. degree, a minimum of 30 credits of graduate course work plus 18 credits of dissertation (7000) is required to graduate.
• This is 48 credits to graduate.
• Students with a B.S. degree must have at least an additional 12 credits, for a total of 60 credits beyond the B.S. degree.

Ph.D. Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 6 semesters, with at least two occurring after the comprehensive exam.
• Complete a minimum of 30 credits of graduate work plus 18 credits of dissertation (EPWS 7000 Doctoral Dissertation).
• At least 15 credits must be in courses numbered 500 or above.
• At least 15 credits must be from the EPWS program.
• No more than 6 credits of EPWS 6991 Doctoral Research may apply toward graduation.
• At least 3 credits of EPWS 690 Doctoral Seminar.
• Complete a minimum of 9 hours of course work numbered above 600, exclusive of research and dissertation credit.
• Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
• Complete the degree within 7 years of admission.
• Enroll in at least 1 credit/semester or 9 credits if full time.
• Full time students may petition to enroll for only 1 credit during their final semester if all other credit requirements have been fulfilled.
• Enroll in seminar classes and present at least 3 seminars.
• Complete annual Student Progress Report.
• Successfully complete a qualifying exam, comprehensive exam, and dissertation defense.

Exams

• Qualifying exam – Students with a M.S. degree will take the qualifying exam at the end of the first year and after completion of at least 12 course credits.
• Comprehensive exam – This exam covers all phases of the major and minor fields of study and is given after completion of the agreed-upon course work, and when sufficient progress has been made toward fulfilling agreed upon research goals.
• Final dissertation defense – this is taken after completing all other degree requirements.
• The student will complete 18 credits of doctoral dissertation prior to the defense.
• There is a minimum of one year between the comprehensive exam and the defense.
• If a student does not pass the final defense, they may be given the opportunity to convert their dissertation into a thesis and pursue a M.S. degree.