Program Overview

Introduction to the PhD Program in Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences

The PhD program in Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences is designed to provide outstanding students with a high level of scholarly attainment in the soil, crop, and environmental sciences. This program enables students to gain research training and experience in specialized fields, including soil fertility and plant nutrition, soil chemistry, soil genesis, morphology and classification, soil mineralogy, soil physics, soil microbiology, plant breeding and genetics, weed science, forage, fiber, bioenergy and grain crop production, crop ecology, environmental quality, and turfgrass management.

Program Requirements

All graduate students are required to have core undergraduate courses in:

• Math
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Botany
• Plant physiology
• Genetics
• Statistics The Graduate Studies Committee evaluates each applicant's record and determines prerequisite deficiencies. Qualified students lacking prerequisite subjects can be admitted but will be required to complete course work to satisfy undergraduate course deficiencies.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the PhD program is based primarily on a combination of:

• Required grade point average (GPA)
• Graduate record examination (GRE) scores
• TOEFL tests for international students

Program Structure

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) requires a minimum of 60 semester hours of course work beyond the Bachelor of Science. Of the 60 semester hours:

• 30 must be graded courses 6000 level and above
• 20 of which must be completed at Auburn University while registered in the PhD program There is no language requirement for this degree.

Evaluation and Assessment

Upon completion of the course work, a PhD student must satisfy a general written examination administered by each member of the graduate advisory committee. A student must pass all parts of the written examination before scheduling the preliminary oral examination. After satisfactory completion of the preliminary examination, the student advances to candidacy.

Research and Dissertation

The PhD student will conduct independent research and prepare a dissertation through the guidance and direction of the advisory committee. Upon completion of the dissertation, the student must pass a final oral examination defending the dissertation.