Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences program at ANFS provides a flexible curriculum with core courses, competency requirements, and electives. Students develop research and communication skills through a qualifying exam, dissertation defense, and teaching experience. The program emphasizes a holistic approach to agriculture, nutrition, and food systems, preparing graduates for careers in academia, industry, and government.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Agricultural Sciences graduate program offered by the Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems (ANFS) offers a flexible course of study that provides education and research experience plant and animal agriculture, aquaculture, food systems, and related fields. As a graduate student in ANFS, you will be engaged in an interdisciplinary department focusing on the farm to fork wellness continuum and a holistic approach to solving problems. You will also develop independent and team research experience. With a Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences, students are prepared to pursue careers in college teaching and research positions in industry and government. Students may work in plant and animal agriculture, aquaculture, food production and distribution systems, teaching, public service, research in federal, state, nonprofit, private organizations, or related fields.
Outline:
Core Course Requirements:
- ANFS 901: Introduction to Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems Graduate Studies (1 credit)
- ANFS 997: Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems Seminar (2 credits)
- ANFS 999: Doctoral Dissertation Research (30 credits)
Competency Requirements:
- Communication Competency: Select at least one course from the following:
- BIOL 902: Writing and Publishing Science
- NR 905: Grant Writing
- BIOL 950: Scientific Communication
- Experimental Design and Analysis Competency: Select at least one course from the following:
- ANFS 933: Design, Analysis, and Interpretation of Experiments
- SOC 902: Sociological Methods II: Research Design
Electives:
Each student, in consultation with their graduate committee, will define one or more areas of informal specialization, and will take additional courses appropriate for their area(s) of specialization.
Assessment:
Qualifying Examination:
- Written exam: Student choose three areas of specialization in consultation with their Doctoral Guidance Committee. The advisor solicits questions from Committee members and administers the exam. Once completed, Committee members evaluate the responses. The student is expected to demonstrate competence in each of the chosen areas, reflected in clear, concise, well-organized synthetic essays. The exam may be “closed book” or “open book” at the discretion of the advisor.
- Oral exam: An oral exam is conducted by the Doctoral Guidance Committee and chaired by the advisor. The student should demonstrate mastery of fundamental concepts in the designated areas of specialization, draw upon a broad spectrum of information to answer theoretical and practical questions. There may be focus on any area that was deemed weak in the written exam.
Dissertation Defense:
- The final thesis defense consists of two parts: an oral presentation of the research in a public seminar, and an oral defense of the dissertation conducted by the Doctoral Dissertation Committee. Final approval of the dissertation will be determined by a majority vote of the committee.
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
Students are encouraged to present at professional conferences and acquire teaching and/or mentoring experience.
Faculty:
The program is led by faculty experts in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, and food systems.
Unique Approaches:
The program offers a unique focus on the farm to fork wellness continuum and a holistic approach to solving problems.
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
- College teaching
- Research positions in industry or government
- Plant and animal agriculture
- Aquaculture
- Food production and distribution systems
- Teaching
- Public service
- Research in federal, state, nonprofit, or private organizations