The Ohio State University - MS/Ph.D. Graduate Program Handbook

Horticulture and Crop Science

The Ohio State University

M.S./Ph.D. Graduate Program Handbook

Updated September 2022

Edited November 2023

Table of Contents

1. Introductory Information ................................................................................................................. 3

A. Preface .................................................................................................................................................. 3

B. Relationship to the Graduate School Handbook .................................................................................. 3

C. Degrees offered .................................................................................................................................... 3

D. The Graduate Studies Committee ........................................................................................................ 3

E. Student Code of Conduct ...................................................................................................................... 4

3. Application and Admission ............................................................................................................... 4

a. Overview of application process ........................................................................................................... 4

B. Academic standards .............................................................................................................................. 5

Admission to the Ph.D. program without an M.S. ................................................................................ 5

C. Application Materials ............................................................................................................................ 5

4. Advisor and the Student Advisory Committee (SAC) ......................................................................... 6

a. The Advisor ............................................................................................................................................ 6

b. The Student Advisory Committee (SAC) ............................................................................................... 7

i. Composition of the Master’s SAC. ..................................................................................................... 7

ii. Composition of the Ph.D. SAC. .......................................................................................................... 8

5. Masters Degree Programs ................................................................................................................ 8

Course based activities: ........................................................................................................................ 8

Co-Curriculuar Requirements: ............................................................................................................ 10

6. Doctoral Degree Program ............................................................................................................... 11

Course based activities: ...................................................................................................................... 11

Co-Curriculuar Requirements: ............................................................................................................ 13

7. Appointments and renewals .......................................................................................................... 16

a. Graduate Associates (GAs) .................................................................................................................. 16

1. Introductory Information

A. Preface

Welcome to the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science (HCS)!

The mission of the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science is to obtain knowledge about plants

and their uses through innovation and discovery, and then disseminate that knowledge to benefit Ohio

State University, the people of Ohio, and the world. Through the years our programs have provided

outcomes that impact the plant sciences with specific emphasis on Horticulture and the Crop Sciences.

We are positioned to contribute through innovation, discovery and application through our teaching,

extension, and research efforts to economic growth through the application of biological sciences. Our

efforts will provide nutritious foods, plants for quality urban habitat, and plant-based products in an

energy efficient and environmentally sustainable way, helping to meet the global challenges of food

security and human health, environmental quality and sustainability, and advanced bioenergy and

biobased products.

This HCS Graduate Studies Handbook describes the rules, processes, and procedures used in the

graduate programs (M.S. and Ph.D.) in HCS. This document is written and updated by the Graduate

Studies Committee (GSC), and new versions are approved by all voting faculty in HCS.

B. Relationship to the Graduate School Handbook

This Department of Horticulture and Crop Science (HCS) Graduate Student Handbook supplements the

Graduate School Handbook

, and should be used in conjunction with the Graduate School Handbook.

This handbook outlines specific rules, procedures, policies, and requirements that apply to graduate

students, faculty, and programs involved with the HCS M.S. and Ph.D. graduate programs.

C. Degrees offered

The department of Horticulture and Crop Science offers the following graduate degrees:

• Masters of Science (M.S.) in Horticulture and Crop Science, thesis option

• Masters of Science (M.S.) in Horticulture and Crop Science, non-thesis option

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Horticulture and Crop Science

D. The Graduate Studies Committee

The HCS Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) is selected and operates according to the

Graduate School

Handbook and the HCS Pattern of Administration document.

The GSC is responsible for the conduct and administration of graduate programs in the Department.

Actions taken by the committee are subject to approval, modification, or reversal by the Graduate

Faculty members in the graduate program. Decisions made by GSCs must comply with Graduate School

rules. The GSC assumes other responsibilities as assigned to it by the Graduate School, the Graduate

Faculty members in the graduate program, the head of the academic unit, or the committee members.

The committee reports on its actions taken during the year to Graduate Faculty members in the

graduate program.

E. Student Code of Conduct

We expect HCS Graduate Students to uphold the OSU Student Code of Conduct, and

academic and

professional standards.

3. Application and Admission

a. Overview of application process

Applicants can apply to our graduate program via the online application

, by selecting the relevant

graduate program (M.S. in Horticulture and Crop Science, or Ph.D. in Horticulture and Crop Science).

All of the following criteria must be met for an applicant to enroll as a student in the Department.

1) The applicant must be deemed academically eligible.

2) A faculty advisor must be identified and the applicant and advisor must agree to work together.

3) Funding must be identified for the prospective student’s stipend, tuition, fees, and program support.

Here are some details:

1. Academic eligibility is determined by the HCS GSC on the basis of all aspects of the application. This

includes transcripts, English language proficiency scores (if applicable), letters of reference, personal

statement, curriculum vitae, and other materials. The HCS GSC does not require the GRE, but scores may

be submitted. The range of course work should indicate a sufficient background in basic science, and the

personal statement is expected to demonstrate clear focus and interest in graduate study in this

department. Extracurricular activities, including research, professional experiences, service, and

international experiences are also considered.

If a student is deemed academically eligible by both the Graduate School and the HCS GSC, the

application is considered ‘provisionally accepted’ and the application is made available to faculty in the

Department. Applicants can expect to receive email notification if their application has been

provisionally accepted or denied.

2. A faculty advisor must be identified. Prior to application or at any point during the application

process, prospective students may contact faculty members whose research interests match their own.

At the same time, once students are provisionally accepted, faculty members will see this list of

applicants and contact those who they wish to discuss an advising relationship with further.

3. Funding for the applicant’s stipend, tuition, fees, and research support must be identified. A student

cannot begin graduate studies until funding is identified. There are several options:

• Students can be financially supported by their adviser (through grants or other means). This is

the mechanism by which most graduate students in HCS are supported. (Graduate Research

Associateships - GRAs)

• Students can be financially supported by the Department through teaching assistantships

(Graduate Teaching Associateships - GTAs).

• Students can be financially supported through the College or University (through Fellowships).

These are Fellowships that the GSC applies for on behalf of the student, and are not open for

self-nomination.

• Students can be self-funded (funding from one’s home government, an external Fellowship, or

personal funds).

B. Academic standards

To be eligible to matriculate into the graduate programs in HCS, the following pre-requisites must be

met:

• An earned baccalaureate or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university by the

expected date of entry.

• Admission to the combined B.S./M.S. is subject the guidelines indicated by the

College of Food,

Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and the Graduate School.

• A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average (CGPA) (on the 4.0 scale used at this

university) in the last degree earned by the applicant relevant to the program of study. For

international students, the CGPA is calculated on the home institution’s grading scheme and the

grade key on the transcript is then utilized to approximate an equivalent US grade based on the

educational system of that country. Information on converting GPA can be found at the

Graduate and Professional Admissions website

• Training that will enable the student to pursue graduate study in HCS. Given the

multidisciplinary nature of work in HCS, no specific courses are universally required. It is

recommended that prospective students with undergraduate degrees in non-STEM (Science,

Technology, Engineering, or Math) fields contact the GSC Chair prior to submitting an

application.

• A minimum score of 79 on the internet-based (IBT), 213 for the computer based (CBT), and 550

for the paper based (PBT) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ). Scores of 82 on the

Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), or 7.0 on the International English

Language Testing System (IELTS) are also accepted. This requirement applies only to an

applicant from a country where the first language is not English, unless a bachelor’s degree or

higher was earned in an English-speaking country.

Admission to the Ph.D. program without an M.S.

Most HCS graduate students will have a M.S. degree before entering the Ph.D. program. However,

admittance directly into the Ph.D. program (without an M.S.) is allowed. This decision to allow

admission to the PhD program without an MS is largely dependent on evidence that the applicant has

significant research experience, equivalent to that which would be conducted in an M.S. program.

C. Application Materials

Summary of required application materials:

1. A completed online application

An official transcript from each college or university attended, listing all courses taken, grades and

degrees earned, and dates of graduation (Ohio State students need not submit transcripts from this

university; these will be supplied by internal procedures). For the application process a copy may be

used. If the applicant is admitted, then an official transcript must be provided to the admission’s office.

2. Three (3) letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with the applicant’s academic

program, scholastic ability, or professional performance.

a. Selection of letter writers: please request the submission of these letters in a timely

fashion.

b. Timeliness of letter writing: faculty members or others knowledgeable about the

student’s academic and/or research performance should be invited to serve as

references. It is recommended that applicants choose reference writers carefully.

Letters from high level administrators are not necessarily helpful. The best letters are

from instructors or mentors who know the applicant well enough to speak to the

student’s preparation and aptitude for graduate study.

3. A brief (1-2 page) personal statement describing the applicant’s educational and professional

goals and objectives. The statement should explain the applicant’s specific research interests in

the department and any potential advisor(s). The personal statement should explain clearly the

student’s background and highlight previous relevant experiences.

4. A curriculum vitae (CV). A detailed CV should provide contact information, previous educational,

professional, and research experiences. Please list presentations, posters, and published papers.

Include examples of leadership activities, community service, extracurricular activities, or

international experiences as appropriate. Also relevant would be examples of proficiency in

field, greenhouse, laboratory, analytical and computational skills. The CV is typically no more

than two pages long.

5. English proficiency requirement

(international students from non-English speaking countries)

HCS no longer requires GRE scores for application to its M.S. or Ph.D. programs.

Application timeline deadlines:

While HCS has rolling admission, to be fully eligible for support, we recommend that applications are

received by November 30th. The majority of applicants are for entrance in the Autumn (AU) semester,

with fewer applicants beginning in the SP semester or SU term. To be considered for internal University

and College fellowships, completed applications must be received by November 30th (for international

applicants) or December 13

for domestic applicants.

We recommend that students have completed applications submitted by:

Enrollment start

U.S. applicant

International applicant

SU term

Dec 13

Nov 30

AU semester

Dec 13

Nov 30

SP semester

Aug 31

Aug, 31

4. Advisor and the Student Advisory Committee (SAC)

a. The Advisor

The graduate advisor provides counsel and advice to the student on: course selections, individual

program development, selection of research topics, and execution of the student’s research and

educational goals. The graduate advisor also conducts an annual review with each advisee. The advisor

of a master’s or doctoral student must hold Graduate Faculty membership at the appropriate level

(Category M or P for a Master’s student and only Category P for a doctoral student) in the Horticulture

and Crop Science Graduate Program.

In the event that there are problems or conflicts related to the student’s graduate program and/or the

student-advisor relationship, the student is advised to meet and discuss the issue with the advisor if

appropriate. If the conflict remains unsolved, the student should schedule a meeting to discuss the issue

with the Graduate Studies Chair. The Graduate Studies Chair (or as needed, the Chair Elect) should be

viewed as the primary contact for mediation. Every effort will be made to keep the issue confidential.

For issues related to academic progress, the student advisory committee (SAC) may be asked for

additional input.

Grievances can be addressed through various mechanisms, including at the Graduate School, and

through the Office of Institutional Equity (when related to harassment, discrimination and sexual

misconduct). A compilation of complaint and grievance systems at OSU can be found through the Office

of Academic Affairs.

Change of Program or Advisor: In Horticulture and Crop Science, funding is often tied to a major

professor, and a project. This funding reality suggests that conflicts between Advisors and students need

to be handled transparently and carefully. A student wishing to change to a different program or advisor

should notify the advisor and the GSC Chair. A plan for transfer, funding, and formulation of a new SAC

should be made within the semester or SU term.

b. The Student Advisory Committee (SAC)

The role of the SAC

The purpose of the SAC is to provide guidance in the development of a Course Program, approves the

Course Program, provides input on the research proposal colloquium presentation, reviews the written

and oral research proposal, reviews the thesis, or dissertation, and resolves matters concerning the

student's graduate program. The student must keep the SAC informed on progress in research and

coursework. The SAC is intended to be a formal mentoring network, though it is not expected to be the

sole source of mentorship or expertise for students in the graduate program.

The student and advisor must together select graduate faculty to constitute the SAC. The selection of

the SAC should be completed during the first semester or SU term of enrollment. Students should notify

the GSC of the final composition of the SAC using Form 1

, and the GSC should be advised in writing of

any appointments, resignations, etc. from the SAC.

i. Composition of the Master’s SAC.

Specific guidelines for M.S. SAC selection and approval:

1. The chair of the committee (i.e. the Advisor) must have at least Category M status in HCS.

2. The SAC, including the advisor, consists of at least three (3) members, with at least two (2)

members having Category M status or higher with the OSU Graduate Faculty

3. If the third member is a not a Graduate Faculty member at OSU, then their appointment to the

SAC must be approved by the GSC.

4. The SAC should be formed by the end of the student’s 1

semester.

It is recommended that the student meet at least annually with their SAC to discuss research plans and

progress. In addition, students are required to meet their SAC:

1. To prepare the Graduate Course Program (by the end of the 2nd semester)

2. To discuss research as part of the research proposal presentation (Colloquium)

3. For the Exit Seminar and Thesis Defense

The student should make every effort to schedule the colloquium presentation such that each SAC

member can be present. The student is ultimately responsible for scheduling SAC meetings, getting

approval for the research proposal, scheduling oral and written exams, and keeping the SAC up to date

on research progress.

ii. Composition of the Ph.D. SAC.

Specific guidelines for Ph.D. SAC selection and approval:

1. The Chair of this committee (i.e. the Advisor) must have Category P status in HCS.

2. The SAC, including the advisor, consists of at least four (4) or more OSU faculty members having

either Category M or Category P status.

3. At least one of the OSU members of the SAC must be from outside HCS.

4. SAC members from outside of OSU require permission of the Graduate School.

5. The SAC should be formed by the end of the student’s 1st semester or SU term.

It is recommended that the student meet at least annually with their SAC to discuss research plans and

progress. In addition, students are required to meet their SAC:

1. To prepare the Graduate Course Program (by the end of the 1st semester or SU term)

2. To discuss research as part of the research proposal presentation (Colloquium)

3. For the Candidacy exam

4. For the Exit Seminar and Dissertation Defense

The student should make every effort to schedule the colloquium presentation such that each SAC

member can be present. The student is ultimately responsible for scheduling SAC meetings, getting

approval for the research proposal, scheduling all oral and written exams, and keeping the SAC up to

date on research progress.

The GSC should be notified via a new Form 1

if the Candidacy Exam Committee or the Final Examination

Committee is different from the SAC. The Ph.D. Final Examination Committee will also contain a

Graduate Faculty Representative assigned by the Graduate School.

5. Masters Degree Programs

Course based activities:

Our curriculum aims to give students a breadth of knowledge in Horticulture and Crop Science. A total of

30 graduate hours are required with a distribution among core focus areas. All students are required to

demonstrate an equivalency or take and pass courses in two of three core areas including plant

physiology/plant biochemistry; plant breeding/genetics/biotechnology; and plant systems/

production/ecology. In addition, a fourth core area of experimental design/statistics is required for all

students. Equivalency can be demonstrated through either prior coursework, or relevant

research/internship experiences. Students must petition the GSC for approval of core area equivalency.

A petition should include demonstration of equivalent material through transcripts, syllabi, and

presentations or publications.

Description and forms are available here: https://hcs.osu.edu/graduate/forms

Students are required to take course(s) in 2 of 3 core areas from Focus 1-3. Students are required to

take one course from “Experimental Design”. Additional credits in current topics, professional

development, and electives are required.

Core/Focus areas (students must meet requirements in two of three Focus areas and “Experimental

Design):

FOCUS 1 - PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY / PHYSIOLOGY / METABOLOMICS

FOCUS 2 - PLANT GENETICS / BIOTECHNOLOGY / BREEDING

HCS 5325

Plant Genetics

HCS 5625

Applied Plant Biotechnology

HCS 5825

Plant Breeding

HCS 8825

Advanced Plant Breeding

FOCUS 3 - PLANT SYSTEMS / PRODUCTION / ECOLOGY

HCS 5100

Advanced Cropping Systems

HCS 5200

Advanced Horticultural Principles and Practices

HCS 5306

Sustain. Veg. Prod. Pract.: Planning, Growing and Marketing

HCS 5411

Grain, Oilseed, and Fiber Crops

HCS 5412

Agroecology of Grasslands and Prairies

HCS 5420†

Environmental impacts of Crop-Livestock Systems

HCS 5422

Principles of Weed Ecology and Management

HCS 5450

Vegetable Crop Production and Physiology

HCS 5460

Fruit Crop Physiology and Production

HCS 5602

Ecology of Agriculture

HCS 5670

Golf Courses and the Environment

Experimental design/statistics (MS):

Graduate Student Professional Development: should be taken during the first Semester of enrollment

Current Topics: MS students must take at least one Current Topics course during their degree.

Seminar and Colloquium: Students will enroll in HCS 7890 a minimum of two times: The first of these

should occur by the second semester or SU term of enrollment, during which the student will prepare a

written proposal for their project and present a Colloquium describing his or her research proposal.

Note that HCS 7890 is only offered AU and SP semesters. The SAC must approve the written proposal

and is expected to attend the colloquium presentation. The second and subsequent enrollments can be

any semester thereafter. Students enrolling in HCS 7890 for credit must attend all departmental

seminars.

HCS 5621

Physiology of Cultivated Plants

HCS 5622

Plant Biochemistry

HCS 7821

Environmental Physiology of Managed Plant Systems

HCS 5887

Introduction to Experimental Design

HCS 7001

Graduate Student Professional Development

HCS 8830

Current Topics

HCS 7890

Seminar on HCS Topics (colloquium within first 2 semesters/terms)

HCS 7890

Seminar on HCS Topics (register at least one more time)

Research credits (MS):

Electives: students must take 6 credits of graduate courses at the 5000 level or higher. Courses that

fulfill other requirements are not eligible to double-count as electives.

Additional coursework assigned by SAC can also be from within or outside of HCS.

Each student’s course plan should be approved by their SAC and submitted as the “MS ADVISING SHEET

”

by the end of the first semester or SU term of enrollment.

Credit load: Fulltime M.S. students with a Graduate Associateship or a University/College fellowship

should enroll for 18 credits per AU or SP semester, or 12 credits per SU term. Students that are funded

via other mechanisms should consult with your advisor and the graduate program associate about the

appropriate number of hours to schedule.

Transfer of credits: Graduate credit earned at another university may be transferred to this university.

The Graduate School places no limit on the graduate credit hours that may be transferred. However,

residence and minimum degree requirements determine the number of graduate credit hours that may

be counted toward a graduate degree at OSU. In addition, the HCS GSC must approve the transfer of

credits. Information about how to transfer credits can be found here

Co-Curriculuar Requirements:

M.S. Thesis Requirements: For those students carrying out thesis research, they will form a SAC,

complete a colloquium including a written and oral presentation of their thesis proposal, and write and

defend their thesis.

By the end of the first semester of the M.S., students should have formed (Form 1

) and met with their

SAC to determine their course plan (“MS ADVISING SHEET”). By the end of the second semester or SU

term, M.S. students should have completed their colloquium including their thesis proposal. Students

must send their M.S. thesis to their SAC no less than three weeks prior to the defense date. At least one

week prior to the defense date, the SAC must unanimously agree that the thesis is sufficiently complete

to be defended in the final exam. If extenuating circumstances arise, students should consult their SAC

for timelines that deviate from the one presented above. Students are encouraged to have discussion

with their SAC about what a defensible thesis is. It is the responsibility of the advisor to poll the SAC and

inform the student that their thesis is defensible. Edits can be requested by SAC members after the

thesis has been deemed defensible, prior to deposition with the graduate school.

Exit Seminar and Final Examination: All students will present an Exit Seminar prior to the final exam. The

dissertation/final examination committee in HCS is the student’s SAC. The student will be responsible

for scheduling and notifying the department, SAC members, and associated units, of the time and place

of their exit seminar presentation. Exit seminars will be video-linked between campuses. The exit

seminar will be 40-50 minutes in duration, allowing 10-15 minutes for open questions and discussion for

HCS 7999

Research (1-18 cr/semester or SU term)

varies

HCS/other

Graduate Courses – Not counting courses fulfilling above

requirements

non-SAC members. The exit seminar is in addition to the final 2-hour exam. Exit seminars should be

scheduled for 1-hour at a time preceding the final exam, but by no more than one week. All dissertation

examinations involving video conferencing must adhere to the Graduate School’s guidelines for video

conferencing (see Appendix B

). The oral portion of the doctoral examination must take place during

announced university business hours.

Thesis and dissertation format info: Information regarding formatting of theses and dissertations, as

well as templates, can be found through the Graduate School.

Non-Thesis Exam: The master’s examination for a student pursuing the non-thesis option must include a

written portion, either in the form of exam questions or a research report and may include an oral

portion. The examination will evaluate the student’s proficiency and understanding of their field of

study.

Time Limit: The maximum time for receiving departmental financial support, while completing the

Master’s degree, is 2 years. Students are permitted more time to complete their degree, but will not be

funded from Departmental sources for more than 2 years. The maximum overall time to complete the

Master’s degree is 5 years. For cases with extenuating circumstances, the GSC and/or Graduate School

may be petitioned to extend either the time limit for departmental funding, or the time towards degree

completion.

Graduate Research Symposium requirement: The graduate research retreat occurs annually and

alternates between the Wooster and Columbus campuses. This is the feature event of the department’s

graduate education program and it is required that all students attend. Exceptions will be made only for

extenuating personal or programmatic considerations.

6. Doctoral Degree Program

Course based activities:

Our curriculum aims to give students a breadth of knowledge in Horticulture and Crop Science. A total

of 80 credit hours are required in the doctoral degree program. All students are required to

demonstrate an equivalency at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level or take and pass courses

in two of three focus core areas (plant physiology/plant biochemistry; plant breeding/genetics/

biotechnology; or plant systems/production/ecology) and experimental design/statistics. Equivalency

can be demonstrated through either prior coursework, or relevant research/internship experiences.

Students must petition the GSC for approval of core area equivalency. A petition should include

demonstration of equivalent material through transcripts, syllabi, and presentations or publications.

Students are required to take one course in 2 of 3 core areas from Focus 1-3 and from “Experimental

Design”. Additional credits in current topics, professional development, and electives are required.

Focus 1 - PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY / PHYSIOLOGY / METABOLOMICS

Focus 2 - PLANT GENETICS / BIOTECHNOLOGY / BREEDING

HCS 5621

Physiology of Cultivated Plants

HCS 5622

Plant Biochemistry

HCS 7821

Environmental Physiology of Managed Plant Systems

HCS 5325

Plant Genetics

HCS 5625

Applied Plant Biotechnology

HCS 5825

Plant Breeding

HCS 8825

Advanced Plant Breeding

Focus 3 - PLANT SYSTEMS / PRODUCTION /ECOLOGY

HCS 5100

Advanced Cropping Systems

HCS 5200

Advanced Horticultural Principles and Practices

HCS 5306

Sustain. Veg. Prod. Pract.: Planning, Growing and Marketing

HCS 5411

Grain, Oilseed, and Fiber Crops

HCS 5412

Agroecology of Grasslands and Prairies

HCS 5420

Environmental impacts of Crop-Livestock Systems

HCS 5422

Principles of Weed Ecology and Management

HCS 5450

Vegetable Crop Production and Physiology

HCS 5460

Fruit Crop Physiology and Production

HCS 5602

Ecology of Agriculture

HCS 5670

Golf Courses and the Environment

Experimental design/statistics:

Graduate Student Professional Development: should be taken during the first Semester of enrollment

Current Topics: Ph.D. students must take a Current Topics course two times during their degree. One

enrollment must be HCS 8830, the second enrollment may be offered by another department.

Seminar and Colloquium: Students will enroll in HCS 7890 a minimum of two times: The first of these

should occur by the fourth semester or SU term of enrollment, during which the student will prepare a

written proposal for their project and present a Colloquium describing their research proposal. Note

that HCS 7890 is only offered AU and SP semesters. The SAC must approve the written proposal and is

expected to attend the colloquium presentation. The second and subsequent enrollments can be any

semester thereafter. Students enrolling in HCS 7890 for credit must attend all departmental seminars.

Electives: students must take 9 credits of graduate courses at the 5000 level or higher. Courses that

fulfill other requirements are not eligible to double-count as electives.

Research credits:

HCS 8887

Techniques in Experimental Design

HCS 7001

Graduate Student Professional Development

HCS 8830

Current Topics

HCS

8830/other

Current Topics

HCS 7890

Seminar on HCS Topics (colloquium within first 4 semesters/term)

HCS 7890

Seminar on HCS Topics (register at least one more time)

HCS/other

Electives

Other coursework will be agreed to in consultation with the SAC. Coursework assigned by SAC can also

be from outside of HCS.

Each student’s course plan should be approved by their SAC and submitted (HCS PhD Advising Sheet

) by

the end of the first semester or SU term of enrollment.

Credit load: Full time pre-candidacy doctoral students should take 18 credits per AU or SP semester or

12 credits per SU term. Full time post-candidacy doctoral students should register for 3 credits per

semester or SU term. Students not on a Graduate Associateship or a University/College fellowship

should consult with their advisor and the graduate program associate about the appropriate number of

hours to schedule.

Transfer of credits: Graduate credit earned at another university may be transferred to this university.

The Graduate School places no limit on the graduate credit hours that may be transferred. However,

residence and minimum degree requirements determine the number of graduate credit hours that may

be counted toward a graduate degree at OSU. In addition, the HCS GSC must approve the transfer of

credits. Information about how to transfer credits can be found here

Co-Curriculuar Requirements:

By the end of the first semester or SU term, Doctoral students should have formed (Form 1

) and met

with their SAC to determine their course plan (HCS PhD Advising Sheet). By no later than the end of the

fourth semester or SU term, Doctoral students should have completed their proposal and proposal

presentation as part of Colloquium (HCS7890). Students are encouraged to complete the Candidacy

exam by the end of their third year. Students who have not completed their Candidacy exam by the end

of their third year will require a petition to the GSC to maintain enrollment. This requirement includes

students changing from M.S. to Ph.D. program. Students must send their dissertation to their SAC no

less than four weeks prior to the Dissertation defense. At least two weeks prior to the defense date, the

SAC must unanimously agree that the dissertation is sufficiently complete to be defended in the

Dissertation Defense. If extenuating circumstances arise, students should consult their SAC for timelines

that deviate from the one presented above. Students are encouraged to have discussion with their SAC

about what a defensible dissertation is. It is the responsibility of the advisor to poll the SAC and inform

the student that their thesis is defensible. Edits can be requested by SAC members after the dissertation

has been deemed defensible, prior to deposition with the graduate school. The Ph.D. dissertation should

be formatted in accordance with the OSU Graduate School guidelines (

Graduate School Guidelines).

Candidacy examination:

The advisor serves as the chair of the candidacy examination committee, and a member of the

committee. The advisor, as chair of the candidacy examination committee, is responsible for

coordinating the preparation and conduct of both the written and oral portions of the candidacy

examination.

The responsibility for creating and evaluating the written and oral portion of the candidacy examination

rest with the SAC. Under special circumstances and with the approval of the GSC, other Graduate

HCS 8998

Pre-candidacy Research (1-18 cr/semester or SU term)

varies

HCS 8999

Post-candidacy Research (1-3 cr/semester or SU term)

varies

Faculty members may participate in generating, administering, or scoring parts of the written portion of

the candidacy examination. Non-Graduate Faculty members may be appointed to the candidacy

examination committee by approval of the GSC and by petition to the Graduate School. Non-Graduate

Faculty are in addition to the required four, current Ohio State Graduate Faculty members.

Student, advisor, and SAC should together come to a written agreement in the form of a memorandum

of understanding regarding the format and timeline of the candidacy exam. Additionally, the time and

date of the written and oral portions of the exam should be determined jointly. In lieu of standard

questions from each SAC member, students, and in consultation with their Advisor and SAC, can elect to

take the written portion using the “Proposal” option detailed below.

Guidelines for the “Questions” options for Ph.D. Candidacy:

Each portion of the written exam can be either open or closed book, as determined by each SAC

member. After the final written exam is completed, the advisor will collate all of the responses and

distribute them to the SAC. The SAC will then have one week to determine if the exam response is

sufficient to move to the oral exam. It is up to each SAC member whether they would like to make the

determination of adequacy of the written exam before proceeding to the oral exam, based on their

individual exam, or on the exam as a whole. This is equivalent to passing the written part of the general

exam. If a student does not pass the written part of the candidacy exam, the SAC will determine what

additional study or other requirements must be met to reschedule the written portion (See Waiver

information below). The student must file a notice that they will be taking their candidacy exam with

the Graduate School (via GRADFORMS) no later than 14 days before the intended oral exam.

The oral examination must occur within one month of the student distributing the finished written exam

to the SAC. The oral exam consists of a two-hour oral examination on topics from the written

examination as well as any general knowledge pertaining to the student’s program. Upon a unanimous

decision that the student has sufficiently completed their candidacy exam, each SAC member (including

the advisor) will indicate “Satisfactory” via GRADFORMS.

Guidelines for the “Proposal” option for Ph.D. Candidacy: Student, advisor, and SAC choose a proposal

topic. Students are encouraged to prepare one or more abstract(s) to send to the SAC. The Abstract(s)

should include an overview of the proposed topic, the hypothesis they intend to investigate, proposed

specific aims, and the justification or appropriateness of the topic as a grant proposal. The topic for the

proposal will typically be unrelated to the students’ dissertation research. However, in consideration of

the student’s particular situation and with recommendation of the SAC, the proposal can be written on a

topic related to the student’s dissertation research. Within one week of sending the SAC the proposal

Abstract(s) each member must approve/disapprove of the proposal topic(s) in writing.

Once all SAC members approve a proposal topic, the one-month written portion of the candidacy exam

begins. Preparation of the written proposal must follow the most current proposal format requirements

of NSF, USDA-NIFA or as determined by the SAC.

At the end of the one-month written exam period the proposal is given to each member of the SAC.

Within one week of receiving the proposal, each SAC member must give the student written

approval/disapproval. This is equivalent to passing the written part of the general exam.

Upon SAC approval of the written proposal the student must register for the oral exam with the

Graduate School. The Graduate School requires notice of at least two weeks. Prior to one week before

the oral exam, each SAC member must provide substantive feedback about the proposal to the student

(in person or via email). The oral examination must occur within one month of the student distributing

the finished proposal to the SAC. The oral exam consists of a two-hour oral defense of the prepared

proposal as well as any general knowledge pertaining to the proposal. Upon a unanimous decision that

the student has sufficiently completed their candidacy exam, each SAC member (including the advisor)

will indicate “Satisfactory” via GRADFORMS.

Waiver: If, based on evaluating the written portion, the advisor or another member of the SAC see no

possibility for a satisfactory overall performance on the candidacy examination, the student may be

advised to waive the right to take the oral portion. The SAC may not, however, deny a student the

opportunity to take the oral portion.

Should a student have an unsuccessful first candidacy exam, the exam may be attempted one additional

time. Information about a second candidacy exam can be found in the Graduate School Handbook.

Earning Master’s Degree On the Basis of Candidacy Examination: A student in HCS may earn a master’s

degree on the basis of satisfactorily completing the doctoral candidacy examination under the following

conditions:

1. It is recommended by the student’s advisor and their SAC;

2. The student does not already hold an equivalent master’s degree in the same field;

3. The student submits the Application to Graduate form by the published deadline; graduation

deadlines established by the Graduate School are met;

4. Doctoral candidacy has not expired.