Graduate Field of Horticulture Student Handbook

Newly admitted graduate students should correspond with the Director of Graduate Studies in their field to clarify program details. Upon arrival to campus, students should report to their major advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate Field Coordinator. New graduate students should take the responsibility of meeting professors, other graduate students, office staff, technicians; and greenhouse, test garden, orchard, and field staff. Students should also become familiar with campus buildings, laboratories, and staff offices. The director of graduate studies, as well as other faculty members and staff, can provide assistance to become familiar with university and department policies. An orientation program for all incoming graduate students is held during the week of registration in January and August.

This handbook will help you understand how the department operates, what is expected of you, and what you may expect from the department. The faculty, Director of Graduate Studies, and the department chair have an open-door policy and make every effort to address student needs. This handbook provides supplemental information that applies specifically to the Field of Horticulture and should be used in conjunction with information published by the Graduate School (www.gradschool.cornell.edu). Please feel free to ask questions as you adjust to your new surroundings.

The faculty person who directs your thesis work is usually considered the major advisor or chairperson of your special committee. This advisor is most often identified prior to your arrival and will guide you through your graduate study. Your chair should be recorded with the Graduate School within the first three weeks of matriculation. Use the online Special Committee Selection and Change form to assign your chairperson. This can be done on-line directly through the ‘Student Center’ website pre-A-Exam or through the Graduate School website (forms) post A-Exam.

Other members of the special committee represent the minor fields chosen (one additional minor Field for a M.S. degree and two minors for a Ph.D.). The other members of the Special Committee should represent Fields other than Horticulture.

Choosing a Special Committee

The Special Committee chair should be chosen by the end of the first semester at Cornell. At Cornell, the Special Committee has the ultimate power to decide the specific requirements for completing a degree. Therefore the committee should be Selection of the minor members is best done in consultation with the major advisor/chairperson. Feel free to interview various members of the graduate faculty before making your decision. Tell them of your goals and find out what interests you have in common.

One minor member is required for an M.S. and two for a Ph.D. degree.

There is great flexibility and a wide range of possible subjects. Popular minor subjects include plant biology, plant breeding, plant pathology, soil science, international agriculture, agricultural economics, entomology, ecology, biometrics, biochemistry, rural sociology, and landscape architecture. They should be chosen in consultation with your major advisor with the aim of enhancing your research project, as well as providing you with information useful in your future career. Use the Graduate Committee Selection form on Student Center to add members to your committee. Students often collaborate on research with other faculty at Cornell; it is not expected that all collaborators be members of the Special Committee.

MS Degree Requirements

• Coursework and credits required for the MS degree are determined by the student’s Special Committee.
• At least two semesters of PLSCI 7000: Seminar in Horticulture.
• Required to register for PLSCI 8900: MS Thesis Research after the first semester of study. Credit hours will vary and should be determined with your chair.
• Student selects a Special Committee composed of one professor representing the major field/chair and at least one professor representing a minor field; more than one minor member is permitted.
• Committee members advise students in the selection and conduct of research problems for the thesis and courses needed to acquire the expected competence.
• You must submit a complete thesis draft to all members of your Special Committee at least six (6) weeks before the final masters exam. (Your Special Committee may modify this requirement). At least five (5) days before the exam, you must provide all members of your Special Committee with a complete, formatted, and editorially acceptable copy of the thesis or dissertation for final approval. (Your examining committee may still require modifications.) Final Examinations may not be scheduled until this requirement has been met. Code VI.G.4, Guide to Graduate Study
• Exit seminar must be scheduled during one of the PLSCI 7000: Seminar in Horticulture lectures, or one-hour prior to the final exam.
• Pass a final oral examination.
• Fulfill a minimum of 2 registration units (semesters). Students for a Master of Science degree majoring in horticulture are expected to demonstrate competence in the three core areas of Horticultural Biology, Horticultural Production and Management, and Horticultural Methods, as listed in Suggested Courses. See Coursework for more information.
• Teaching experience is expected but not required and can be satisfied by assisting a faculty member in teaching a course, working in extension, or taking a course in education.
• Candidates must submit an acceptable thesis based on a research project.
• MS students who want to apply for admission to the PhD program can use an expedited procedure described under Admissions.
• MS degree candidates are expected to complete degree requirements in two years but have up to 4 years to complete requirements.

PhD or MS/PhD Degree Requirements

Doctoral students with a Master’s degree enroll directly in the PhD program. Doctoral students without a Masters enroll in the MS/PhD program.

Courses

• Coursework and credits required for the Ph.D. degree are determined by the student’s Special Committee
• Doctoral students majoring in the Field of Horticulture are expected to develop broad competence in each of the three core areas: Horticultural Biology, Horticultural Production and Management, and Horticultural Methods during their course of study or show evidence of having attained that competence previously.
• Many courses can be used to meet each of the core requirements. Those offerings allow the student, working with his/her special committee, to tailor their courses to individual needs.
• Four semesters of PLSCI 7000: Seminar in Horticulture for credit.
• Register for PhD thesis/research credit (PLSCI 9900) each semester after the first semester of study. Credit hours will vary and should be determined with your chair.

Exams

• Pass the “Q Conference,” an oral qualifying conference that includes critical examination of proposed research and an evaluation of qualifications. Used to determine courses. Should be completed in the second or third semester of study.
• Pass the “A” exam; an oral exam reviewing the student’s mastery of subject matter related to his/her thesis topic and the course work taken. Normally taken after two years of study, can be combined with the M exam. Must be taken at least one year before the B Exam.
• Candidates must earn two residence units after the A Exam before taking the final B examination.
• Exit seminar must be scheduled during one of the PLSCI 7000: Seminar in Horticulture lectures, or as a special seminar one-hour prior to the B exam.
• Pass the B exam which covers the subject of the dissertation. Must be taken in or before the14th semester of study

Thesis and Dissertation

• MS/PhD students will take a master’s exam and submit a master’s thesis. Once the thesis has been submitted and approved, the student can continue on in the PhD program. To complete the PhD program, they would take an A exam and then a B exam, and then finally submit a dissertation. The Master’s and A exam can be combined; but a master’s thesis will be required.
• Candidates must submit a doctoral dissertation, based on a research project, that is acceptable to their Special Committee. While each committee is different, a common expectation is that the dissertation contains three papers that have been or can be published in a research journal.
• You must submit a complete draft to all members of your Special Committee at least six weeks before the final masters or B exam. (Your Special Committee may modify this requirement). At least five days before the exam, you must provide all members of your Special Committee with a complete, formatted, and editorially acceptable copy of the thesis or dissertation for final approval. (Your committee may still require modifications.) Final Examinations may not be scheduled until this requirement has been met. Code VI.G.4, Guide to Graduate Study

Timeline

• The time to complete an MS/PhD program is usually 5 to 6 years; PhD program 4 to 5 years
• Fulfill a minimum of 6 registration units, 2 of these between the A and B exam. For students completing an MS/PhD, 2 registration units count towards the MS, additional units, even if earned before the M exam, count towards the 6 registration units required for the PhD. (Code of Legislation, V.C.)
• The Ph.D. must be completed within seven calendar years of starting the PhD or MS/PhD program.
• Students select a Special Committee composed of one professor representing the major field acting as chair and at least two other professors as minor members. Minor members must be members of, and represent, Graduate Fields other than Horticulture. This approach permits the student to work with faculty members who can best direct the student’s graduate study, regardless of college, department, or field affiliation.
• Committee members advise the student in the selection and conduct of research problems for the dissertation.
• Teaching experience is required and can be satisfied by assisting a faculty member in teaching a course, working in extension, or taking an education course.

Coursework

Your course program is developed with the advice and direction of your special committee. Specific courses may be required by members of the committee and are usually suggested as a means to obtain essential training to save students from having to spend more time and effort in mastering the subject independently. Students should use their own judgment, along with the advice of the committee, in deciding which courses will provide the best training.

It is assumed that graduate students entering the Field of Horticulture will have completed the equivalent of an undergraduate degree in biology, horticulture or agriculture. If they do not have such a background, it is expected that they make up any deficiencies with appropriate undergraduate courses, as determined by the student’s special committee.

Students majoring in the Field of Horticulture are expected to develop broad competence in each of three core areas:

• Horticultural Biology
• Horticultural Production and Management
• Horticultural Methods

Doctoral students are expected to take at least 3 credits in Horticulture from Horticultural Biology and Horticultural Production and Management; and 1 course in Horticultural Methods during their course of study, or show evidence of having attained that competence previously. The large number of courses suggested for each concentration will allow students, working with their special committee, to tailor to individual needs.

Doctoral students will take 4 semesters of the horticulture seminar (PLSCI 7000: Seminar in Horticulture).

Doctoral students are expected to develop teaching competence through a minimum of one semester as a teaching assistant. Additional coursework, workshops and teaching experience are available for those expecting to teach in the future.

Masters students will also be expected to demonstrate competence in the three core areas.

Masters students will take at least two semesters of PLSCI 7000: Seminar in Horticulture.

All Masters candidates are expected to show competence in teaching, by having prior teaching experience, by serving as a teaching assistant for one semester, or by enrolling in a course on college-level teaching.

Courses that provide competence in the three core areas

Suggested courses in horticulture and allied fields that could constitute a syllabus for graduate students studying horticulture. Note that graduate students may enroll in 4000-level courses, but those undergraduate courses do not count towards graduate degree requirements.

Core Group I: Horticultural Biology

PLHRT 6190 Root and Rhizosphere Ecology
PLHRT 6250 Postharvest Biology of Horticultural Crops
PLHRT 6253 Advanced Postharvest Biology: Postharvest Technology
PLHRT 6730 Ecology of Agricultural Systems
PLBIO 5420 Plant Physiology
PLBIO 6070 Plant Nutrition Quality Improvement of Plants
PLBIO 6220 Comparative Plant Development: Evo-Devo
PLBIO 6410 Laboratory in Plant Molecular Biology
PLBIO 6540 Plant Cell Biology
PLBIO 6620 Plant Biochemistry
PLBIO 6841 Plant Form and Function: Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Development
PLBRG 6060 Advanced Plant Genetics
PLBRG 7170 Quantitative Genetics in Plant Breeding
PLBRG 7420 Genotypes to Phenotypes: The Evolution of Genetic Modeling in Plant Breeding
PLSCI 5030 Hemp Breeding and Genetics
PLSCS 6100 Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses and Global Climate Change
PLSCS 6420 Mineral Nutrition: From Plants to Humans
PLSCS 6660 Applied Plant-Microbe Interactions
PLSCS 6720 Nutrient Cycling in Natural and Managed Ecosystems
PLSCI 4460 Plant Behavior and Biotic Interactions, Lecture
PLSCI 4461 Plant Behavior and Biotic Interactions, Laboratory
PLSCS 4130 Physiology and Ecology of Yield
PLSCS 4660 Soil Ecology

Core Group II: Horticultural Production & Landscape Management

PLHRT 5025 Hydroponic Food Crop Production and Management
PLHRT 5204 Principles and Practices of Growing Grapes and Making Wines
PLHRT 5420 Berry Crops: Culture and Management
PLHRT 5850 Public Garden Management
PLHRT 5910 Creating the Urban Eden: Woody Plant Selection, Design, and Landscape Establishment
PLHRT 5920 Creating the Urban Eden: Woody Plant Selection, Design, and Landscape Establishment
PLHRT 5931 It’s Just Grass: Grassing the Urban Eden
PLHRT 6020 Principles of Plant Propagation
PLHRT 6450 Ecological Orchard Management
PLHRT 6500 Fruit Crop Physiology
PLHRT 6551 Principles of Nutrition and Nutrient Management in Crops and Landscape Plants
PLSCI 5015 Hemp Production Systems
PLSCI 5060 Hemp Processing
PLSCI 5210 Soil and Crop Management for Sustainability
PLSCS 6140 Weed Ecology and Management

Core Group III: Horticultural Methods and Communication

PLHRT 6170 Advanced Analytical Methods for Plant Systems
ALS 5780 International Teaching Assistant Program Course
BIOMG 6870 Tricks of the Trade: How to Use Genetics to Dissect Cells, Molecules and Developmental Pathways
BIOMG 7510 Ethical Issues and Professional Responsibilities
BTRY 6010 Statistical Methods I
BTRY 6020 Statistical Methods II
BTRY 6520 Computationally Intensive Statistical Methods
BTRY 6830 Quantitative Genomics and Genetics
BTRY 6840 Computational Genetics and Genomics
COMM 5660 Science Communication Workshop
COMM 6660 Public Engagement in Science
DSOC 6150 Qualitative Research Methods
DSOC 6190 Quantitative Research Methods
EDUC 5510 Engaged Learning Through Extension, Outreach, and Instruction
PLBIO 6525 Light and Video Microscopy for Biologists
PLBIO 6831 Concepts and Techniques in Plant Molecular Biology
PLBRG 6030 Genetics Improvement of Crop Plants
PLSCI 5045 Chemistry and Pharmacology of Cannabis
PLSCI 5500 Let Your Life Speak: Selfhood, Community, Change
PLSCI 5940 Skills for Public Engagement
PLSCI 6440 Digital Plant Science: Frontiers and Challenges
PLSCI 7201 Advanced Statistics and Experimental Design
PLSCI 7202 Applications of Machine Learning to Plant Science
PLSCI 7203 Engineering Novel Strategies for Plant Science Measurement and Sensing
PLSCS 6600 Remote Sensing Fundamentals
PLSCS 6900 Scientific Method in Practice
PLSCS 6950 Planning and Reporting Research
STSCI 6520 Computationally Intensive Statistical Methods
COMM 4660 Public Communication of Science and Technology
STSCI 4780 Bayesian Data Analysis: Principles and Practice

Upon completion of course work, students must sign up for research credits. Please remind the student they must enroll in something as a registered student, at least in thesis research (HORT 5000, HORT 8000 or HORT 9000).

All PhD students and most MS students are guaranteed assistantship funding for the minimum duration of their degree program and we make every effort to assure support through completion as long as academic progress is being made. Funding typically comes from many sources.

Assistantships

Most graduate students in the Department of Horticulture are supported on Teaching Assistantships (TA), Graduate Assistantships (GA), Research Assistantships (RA), or Extension Outreach Assistantships (EOA). Their assignment time may be distributed throughout the year in various ways, depending on the requirements of the project. The assistantship provides a stipend, tuition remission and health insurance. In exchange, assistants are expected to work an average of 15 hours per week on assistantship duties. Those duties may be completely distinct from the research project; the section strives to have them contribute in some way to the overall training.

The assistantship is intended to allow graduate students to spend most of their time on courses and research.

Vacation. Graduate students funded on assistantships or fellowships for spring, summer, and fall terms are entitled to two weeks (10 weekdays) of annual vacation each calendar year in addition to Cornell University holidays.

Graduate TA Policy

Background

Teaching assistantships fulfill two roles. They meet the educational requirement of developing teaching competence, and they provide financial support for graduate study.

Students anticipating being a teaching assistant must apply each academic year. This application is for the purpose of matching students with courses, and is done SIPS-wide. The number of assistantships is similar to the number of anticipated applicants, so students who were expecting funding are very likely to be supported—as long as they apply.

Policies

• All MS and PhD students, regardless of funding source, are have an educational requirement to serve as a TA at least once during their time at Cornell.
• MS and PhD students may have funding packages that include teaching assistantships in many semesters. That expectation is explicit in the acceptance letter. Faculty advisors shall accommodate the need for their graduate students to TA, and adjust research and coursework expectations accordingly. Every effort will be made to ensure that teaching or section curriculum assignments are distributed fairly and that any special circumstances of individual graduate students are considered. Instructors will advise students whether they need to take or audit a course in order to have sufficient expertise in the subject for which they will be a TA.
• Students who are supported by private funds or grants, national or international fellowships, SUNY minority fellowships, Biology teaching assistantships or Extension and Outreach (Geneva) assistantships will be required to meet the Field teaching requirement of at least one semester.
• Students supported by a Graduate School Fellowship shall not be required to serve as a TA during their fellowship year.
• If an extension or outreach teaching experience is substituted for a classroom TA, the student’s major professor, DGS, and committee will have to approve the substitution. This should include a plan that helps the student achieve the equivalent educational goals of classroom teaching.
• Graduate students who are funded on external sources during a semester in which they serve as a TA should enroll in PLHRT 7000: Graduate Teaching Experience for the number of credits equal to that of any course they are a TA. This may be taken for a letter or S/U grade. The instructor in the course will complete the grade sheets for that semester.
• If a student’s limited proficiency in English prevents them from serving as a TA in the classroom the student may be required to developing their English proficiency through course at the English Language Support Office and courses in teaching skills in order to teach in the future.
• Students will keep the Graduate Field Coordinator informed of their TA or equivalent experiences so accurate records can be kept.
• All instructors should meet with and discuss what is expected of the TA prior to the beginning of the course. Students should also discuss what they want to gain during the TA experience with the instructor
• Any dispute regarding the assignment of TAs may be addressed to the student’s major advisor in consultation with the SIPS DGS/GFA Council.

TA Application Process

Section I: Application Timeline

• Early January
  o TA solicitation for the coming academic year is released
• February 5
  o TA applications due
• February 22
  o Initial TA appointments announced
  o Applicants not receiving appointments remain on waitlist
• March 8
  o Last date to decline a TA appointment
• March 8 - ongoing
  o TA Rebalancing to fill vacant TA positions
  o Waitlisted applicants are given priority for open slots
• May 24
  o TA appointments finalized for coming academic year
• October 15
  o Rebalance TA assignments for spring semester

Section II: Application, Selection, and Notification Procedures

A. Application

All students who are planning to TA or who would like to request TA support must submit an application by the stated application deadline. Even those students who have been promised a TA position in their appointment letter must submit a TA application in order to be assigned to a TA appointment in the coming academic year. You can check on the status of your application by contacting the GFC for your home Field. Only SIPS Graduate students in non-professional degree programs (i.e. MS and PhD) are eligible to apply. SIPS TA Application Form

B. Selection Process and Selection Criteria

All assignments for each Section will be approved by the DGS of your field. Your application will initially be reviewed by the DGS home Section/Field to be considered for TA assignments within your home Section. Following initial review by your DGS, your application may also be considered by members of the SIPS Graduate Field Council to be considered for TA assignments in other SIPS sections. In some cases your application may also be reviewed by course instructors. Those applicants that do not receive an initial TA assignment will be waitlisted. Each year some number of TA appointments are declined by students, due to the adventitious availability of grant and fellowship funding. Students on the waitlist will be given first priority for TA positions that become available when a TA assignment has been declined. Once all TA positions are filled the remaining applicants are dismissed from the waitlist. A new application needs to be made for each new academic year in which TA support is requested.

TA selection is based on multiple criteria and the weighting placed on each criterion will vary from year to year and from Section to Section based on the needs of instruction and the need to support all of our continuing graduate students. The two main priorities for TA selection are to ensure that: all of our MS and PhD students receive tuition and stipend support while they remain in good standing, and that all of our courses are well staffed by qualified TA’s. The following are criteria that will be considered in selecting individuals for assignment to TA positions:

• applicant skills, training, and prior teaching experience
• instructional needs of the course and instructor needs for support
• applicant funding plan for the coming academic year
• the availability of alternate sources of funding for the applicant
• explicit guarantees of support which must be honored
• the number of previous TA appointments the applicant has received
• whether the applicant needs to TA to meet a teaching requirement
• approval of the faculty adviser

C. Notification Procedures

If your funding situation changes, and you no longer want to be considered for a TAship, then please let your GFC know immediately so that we can remove your application to make room for others. If a position is not available initially we will retain your application on the waitlist. Quite often slots become available late in the spring and summer and we will continue to make offers until all positions are filled.

Please note that only your DGS/GFC can approve an offer. All conversations with course instructors or other members of the Cornell community are purely a preliminary review and those entities cannot make an offer.

If you are offered a TAship, you must accept it or reject it by the specified deadline (see timeline above). Once you have signed an appointment letter, you are bound to adhere to the contract. If your situation changes, contact your GFC immediately. Your DGS/GFC, will strive to find an alternative and release you from the contract. However, the fulfillment of the contract is ultimately the student’s responsibility.

Fellowships & Other Funding Sources

While the Field commits to fully funding graduate students for the anticipated duration of their study, getting independent funding provides more flexibility for the student and is a valuable demonstration of ability to get external funding. We encourage and assist students in obtaining such funds.

Fellowship information is available from the Graduate School, www.gradschool.cornell.edu. Two common sources are National Science Foundation Graduate Researcher Fellowships (apply in the first year) and USDA Graduate Fellowships (apply in A Exam year.) Additional information is forwarded via e-mail to the graduate student list.

Train future leaders in horticultural research, education and outreach in both industry and public-sector spheres.

Learning goals:

• Students will develop a working knowledge of commercial horticultural plant management (i.e., crop production and/ or landscape management).
  Assessment*: 3, 6
• Students will develop proficiency in horticultural research systems using appropriate current technologies and methods. .
  Assessment*: 4, 5, 6
• Students will become effective horticulture teachers and extension educators by first-hand experience with teaching assistantships (TAs) and extension-outreach assistantships (EOAs) and through participation in departmental outreach efforts.  
  Assessment*: 7, 9

Foster scholarship, research and communication skills in horticultural science

Learning goals:

• Students will have a contemporary knowledge of the biology underlying the horticultural processes they study beyond what is taught in graduate courses. 
  Assessment*: 3, 4, 5, 6
• Students will develop effective writing skills that communicate research results to appropriate audiences.
  Assessment*: 9, 10
• Students will be proficient at delivering presentations based on their research results to diverse audiences, as measured by audience evaluations.
  Assessment*: 1, 2, 7, 9, 12

Engage in and conduct original research

Learning goals:

• Ph.D. graduates will have the knowledge and training to design and implement original research, and share research findings through written and oral communication.
  Assessment*: 2, 5, 6, 8
• Students will, where appropriate, master and improve contemporary research techniques used in their discipline.
  Assessment*: 5, 6
• Students will become a national authority in the subject area of their thesis research. 
  Assessment*:  10, 11, 12

Prepare to be professionals in their discipline

Learning goal:

• Students will be familiar with the expectations of professionals in their field. For those pursuing faculty positions, these expectations include curriculum development, teaching, grant writing and administration, publishing, team management, collegiality, professionalism, and outreach. 
  Assessment*: 6, 8

* See section below to identify activities during which assessment occurs

Student progress is assessed through the following activities. The numbers refer to the table above.

1. Grad Field Review, semi-annual student presentations to the entire Horticulture Grad faculty and graduate student body.
2. Full seminar
3. Q conference (PhD)
4. A Exam (PhD)
5. Final Exam (M for MS, B for PhD)
6. Graduate Committee meetings to evaluate student progress
7. Faculty evaluation of the quality of student TA work, publications and presentations
8. The Field will track student employment for graduates
9. Student publications and presentations in outreach
10. Peer-review journal articles
11. Honors and awards
12. Presentations at national and regional professional meetings

Semi-Annual Graduate Review

Each semester graduate students present a brief oral summary of their research to the entire Graduate Field. Each student presents once a year, regardless of where they are in their research. Students who are presenting full seminars for the Department are exempt from presenting at the graduate field reviews for that year. Sharing research progress with faculty and other graduate students encourages the exchange of ideas and the possibility of modifying research directions. Students who have not started thesis research present a research plan. Students are encouraged to share their accomplishments, goals, frustrations, and projected completion dates.

The current format is a “pitch and poster” that includes a two-minute presentation followed by discussion at a poster. This format has found favor for crafting succinct and exciting explanations of the subject, and then for feedback on the work at the poster. For students near the end of their study, a standard 15-minute conference presentation is an option. Students presenting submit an abstract and review form in advance that is then shared with participants.

Following the presentation, the whole Field meets for updates and discussion of issues raised by both students and faculty. Then faculty meet for a short time to discuss concerns or unusual circumstances related to each student’s progress. Reviews are scheduled in August and January, just before classes start.

Student Progress Review

The Graduate School requires an annual review with the Special Committee Chairs intended to make each spring. The review is intended to assess to what extent the expected milestones for the previous year were met and to agree on new ones for the coming year and estimate when major exams are likely to take place. The review starts with the student summarizing their progress and plans in a standard format. That serves as a basis for a conversation, following which the writeup can be amended, and the advisor provides commentary.

Field Appointed Committee Member

The Director of Graduate Studies may assign an additional member of the Field of Horticulture to participate in your M, A or B exam. This person would be recorded on your Special Committee as: Field Appointment Member for Exam.

Maximum time to degree

The MS needs to be completed within eight registered semesters, the PhD within fourteen registered semesters.

In Absentia

In absentia status provides an opportunity for graduate students to engage in approved study in a location at least 100 miles away from the University’s Ithaca campus during the academic year while continuing to work under the guidance of the Special Committee. Access to university services and benefits continue. Time registered in absentia conts toward the time lmmit non finishing a degree.

status is the preferred option for students who are finishing writing a thesis but have already moved away. Assistantship support is only available if the student can complete the work required by the particular assistantship. You can earn 1 registration unit (RU) if the arrangement enhances the student’s program of study. For more information see the Code of Legislation, the Grad School Rep, or your Horticulture Grad Field Coordinator.

Leave of Absence

A leave of absence can be granted for either personal or medical reasons, but the process is different for each type of leave. A health leave of absence requires filing with Gannett Health Services. More information is available at Cornell Health website.

The maximum number of years allowed for leave of absence is four. Time on a leave of absence does not count toward the time limit on finishing a degree.

A student who takes a leave of absence does not have access to campus facilities and personnel that normally accompanies student status. Therefore it is usually not appropriate for students who are continuing their degree program in another location.

For more information see the Graduate School Code of Legislation or obtain information directly from the Field Grad School Rep, 143 Caldwell Hall or your Horticulture Grad Field Coordinator.

All members of the graduate faculty are notified of examinations and all are welcome to attend. Students are responsible for notifying the graduate Field Coordinator at least two weeks in advance to reserve a room and send a notice to graduate faculty. Students must submit a Schedule of Exam form for M, A and B exams to the Graduate School at least one week in advance otherwise the exam results are not valid. All exams must be held on the Ithaca or Geneva campus and all members of your committee must be present. Extensive information on Exams, Doctoral Dissertation and Master’s Thesis production can and should be obtained from the Graduate School. Note: All research degree candidates (M.S. and PhD) must apply for graduation using the Graduation Manager (Online) system during the semester prior to their anticipated conferral date. Even if your degree does not require a thesis or dissertation you must still apply for graduation. Students in professional degree programs may apply for graduation through their field or affiliated college. Ask your GFC for clarification if you are unsure. After each examination, a Results of Examination form must be filled out and submitted to the Graduate School within three business days and a copy to the graduate Field Coordinator.

Q Conference (MS-PhD and PhD)

The Field of Horticulture has a formal conference with the Special Committee near the end of the first academic year.

Q Conference is a requirement of the Field of Horticulture for MS-PhD and PhD candidates, it is not required by the Graduate School. This should take place before the beginning of the third semester of the PhD.

The purpose of the Q Conference:

• To convene the committee members and the student to discuss and evaluate the student’s proposed research plan. Students should schedule the Q Conference when they have a clear focus on what they are going to work on and have had a chance to put together a written outline or research proposal on the topic. The expectation is for the student to have read much of the literature directly relating to his/her research project and be prepared to answer questions justifying his/her approach to the research. This should take place before the beginning of the third semester of the Ph.D.
• To determine what courses still need to be taken or discuss ways the student can gain the necessary background to accomplish their research program. Students should bring a list of courses they have taken at Cornell and relevant course work from their MS or undergraduate days. They should write down their goals for the research work and anyother academic goals they might have (e.g. getting teaching credentials, getting extension experience, writing for various audiences, etc.).

An outline of the proposed research or research proposal, list of relevant classes, and academic goals should be given to each of the committee members at least one week before the Q Conference. This will provide a clear focus and discussion on the proposed research project. Is it well thought-out? What have others done in this area? Is it doable in the time frame given? Are there adequate facilities and support to carry it out? Is the student ready to take on this project? Does his/her background allow for critical thinking in this subject area? Are there courses that are missing and should be added?

The Q Conference is a way to officially launch the Ph.D. work, with the agreement of the committee as to how the research will be pursued. It is also a good way to encourage the student to organize their thinking. It should be a positive experience. A minimum of two hours should be scheduled.

The student must notify the GFC at least two weeks in advance of the Q Conference so that other faculty members of the graduate field can be notified should they wish to attend or contribute. A Q Conference form will be given to the student for all committee members to sign at the end and the form should be returned to the Graduate Field Coordinator.

In rare instances, if the Special Committee determines that the Q conference results indicate that the student is not prepared to undertake a PhD program, the student may be found not be in good academic standing. The committee chair shall write a detailed evaluation and counsel the student with their options

M Exam (MS)

Thesis Defense Exam for MS. This exam is both for an independent MS, or for the MS part of an MS-PhD program. An MS-PhD student continuing with the same project and Special Committee, and with that committee’s approval, combine the M exam and A exam.

This oral exam will discuss the student’s research and thesis manuscript. The exact format varies by committee, so it is good to have the members agree on the format well in advance. In general, students start the exam with a brief (10-15 minutes) oral presentation of the main methods and results of the project to set the stage for the discussion and to demonstrate the ability to present their work. Questions may address the scientific background of the research and hypotheses, the general approaches and specific methods used, the results, and the interpretation of the results. At least 2 hours should be scheduled for the MS thesis defense. The Special Committee often requires changes in thesis after the exam and these may require from a few days to a few weeks to complete.

A Exam (PhD)

Exam for Admission to Doctoral Candidacy for PhD students. The exam can be taken as early as after two semesters of registration, and must be taken before starting the 7th semester of registration. A good target date is near the end of the second year of study.

The A exam is a comprehensive exam given by the student’s committee to test their general knowledge in the areas of plant sciences and related fields relevant to the student’s PhD program in Horticulture and minor fields. It is designed to determine your ability to begin research. It does not necessarily focus on your specific research topic or research results. Although questions of specific factual nature are common, emphasis is also placed on your ability to utilize and synthesize your knowledge to address more complex problems. A minimum of 3 hours should be scheduled; although there is no time limit. It is typically an oral exam and some written questions are allowed if a faculty member so chooses. It is appropriate and useful to discuss examination expectations with your committee members well in advance of the exam. Other faculty members in the Field are invited to participate, are allowed to ask questions. Each exam is unique. Therefore others’ experiences only represent what can happen, not what will happen.

The student generally provides a list of courses they have taken as a graduate student. Questions relating to these classes as well as background information relating to the student’s current research are fair game. You are encouraged to chat with each of the committee members to get a sense of topics that the committee member may ask about.

As a result of the A Exam committee members may require additional coursework that they believe will be needed for sufficient preparation in a particular subject area.

B Exam

Final Defense for PhD (B Exam). PhD students must be registered for at least 2 semesters between passing the A exam and scheduling the B exam.

See Thesis and Dissertation for detailed instructions and procedures including resource list of typists, editors, and couriers.

This oral exam will discuss the student’s research and dissertation manuscript. The Special Committee will determine the exact format, which should be discussed well in advance. A common approach is for the student to begin with a brief oral presentation of the main methods and results of the project to set the stage for the discussion and to demonstrate the ability to present their work. Questions may address the scientific background of the research and hypotheses, the general approaches and specific methods used, the results, and the interpretation of the results. At least 3-hours should be scheduled for the PhD defense. Normally, changes are required in the dissertation after the exam that may require from a few days to a few weeks to complete.

Many committees prefer that those thesis chapters intended for publication be written as manuscripts for the intended journals. Rewriting dissertation chapters for journal publications after a student has left to assume new duties elsewhere is very difficult. The publisher will then require only minor editorial revisions and it can be submitted quickly.

Thesis or Dissertation Deadlines (Code VI.G.4) Guide to Graduate Study:

You must submit a complete draft to all members of your Special committee at least six weeks before the final masters or B exam; however, your Special Committee may modify this requirement. At least five days before the exam, you must provide all members of your Special committee with a complete, formatted, and editorially acceptable copy of the thesis or dissertation for final approval but keep in mind, your examining committee may still require modifications. Final Examinations may not be scheduled until this requirement has been met.

When you have a finished an approved manuscript:

MS – Submit the thesis electronically through the Graduate School website Graduation Manager. Follow the directions via Graduation manager re: University requirements when ordering your thesis copies. One copy (regular paper, not archival-quality) for the Field of Horticulture library in 22 Plant Science should be sent to the Graduate Field Coordinator; your chair and committee members may also require their own printed copy.

PhD – Submit the thesis electronically through the Graduate School website Graduation Manager. Follow the directions via Graduation manager re: University requirements when ordering your thesis copies. Note that one copy (regular paper, not archival-quality) for the Field of Horticulture library in 22 Plant Science should be sent to the Graduate Field Coordinator; your chair and committee members may also require their own printed copy.

Complete details for thesis and dissertation submission requirements can be found at the Graduate School Thesis and Dissertation.

Note: Our Director of Graduate Studies will not sign off your name on the provisional degree list until the field has received a copy of your thesis.

Students are encouraged to publish their research results in professional journals so their work can be widely disseminated. Some advisors have specific publication expectations, a common one being three papers published in field-appropriate journals for a PhD.

This is easily accomplished if the thesis is organized and written with this intent. Professional journal articles are a source of pride for the student, enhances career opportunities, and reflects well on the reputation of the Department. Few academicians read theses from other institutions, so the only practical way of sharing scientific contributions is through professional journals. If you expect to publish part, or all, of your thesis, you will be required to sign a License to Use Copyrighted Material form with the Thesis Advisor at the Graduate School.

Information on degree conferral dates, commencement and diploma distribution can be obtained from the Thesis Advisor at the Graduate School, 350 Caldwell Hall, 255-5810, or Office of Commencement Events.

Working Hours

Working hours for department staff (offices and facilities) are: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm; and Friday, 8:00 am-3:30 pm. Some offices such as the greenhouses, farm, or orchards may vary. Laboratories and graduate student offices are usually accessible 24 hours a day.

Orientation of Facilities Use

We are required by law to make certain that all users of chemicals, equipment, and facilities are familiar with potential hazards and appropriate safety precautions. Graduate students are required to attend orientation and training sessions before using any of the laboratory, growth chamber, greenhouse, or field research facilities. Orientations for facility usage are held regularly and graduate students should watch for announced times (usually by e-mail). If you are unable to attend, please contact the person in charge of orientation to make other arrangements. Do not use a facility or hazardous equipment if you have not been through the appropriate training session!

Right to Know

Federal and New York State law mandates and the university requires that all graduate students and employees attend an orientation on the “Right to Know” Act. This introduces the law, the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), general toxicology and laboratory safety. You will receive a memo with times and locations of the orientation meetings. You will also receive a Safety Guideline checklist, mandated by the University, and you are required to return the checklist to the departmental safety representative. Safety Information notebooks are available for your reference in the main offices and in the department laboratories. You will receive an index to the notebook as a quick guide to its contents.

Student Office and Lab space

Desk Assignments

The department has several rooms in the Plant Science building set aside for graduate students to share, and a desk will be made available for each graduate student upon their arrival. A student will be assigned and occupy only one desk regardless of location. Assignments will be made by the graduate Field Coordinator. Students on a Leave of Absence or with space elsewhere (such as in Geneva, or have lab/desk space) may be asked to forfeit their desk space to others, if there is a need for space when new students arrive. Students should not switch desk without GFC approval; and they must empty and clean their assigned desk prior to departure.

Laboratories and Equipment

Most research projects and professors have one or more laboratories with research equipment. Students will normally use of their advisor’s laboratory and equipment. To use other equipment in the department, permission should be obtained from the professor involved.
Laboratory space is assigned by the major advisor. Equipment, glassware, reagents, etc. are generally purchased to use in specific laboratories. They should not be transferred to other locations unless approved by the faculty member in charge. Before using laboratory equipment, students are expected to obtain permission and instruction from the faculty member in charge or his/her designate. Each student is responsible to keep their work areas clean. Laboratory supplies or other purchases should be approved by the student’s major advisor. Disposal of toxic materials must follow proper safety procedures.

PLSCI 7000: Seminar in Horticulture

Section seminars are held weekly for faculty, staff, and graduate students during the academic year. All graduate students are expected to attend all seminars unless they have a course conflict, and they should register for PLSCI 7000 to receive credit. It is expected that all PhD students will take at least 4 semesters and MS students will take at least 2 semesters of PLSCI 7000.

Society of Horticulture (SoHo)

The field of horticulture has a dynamic graduate student association called, The Society for Horticulture (acronym: SoHo). All graduate students are automatically members. SoHo promotes fellowship among peers and future colleagues with food at regular meetings, cook-outs, and a holiday party. Events during the year promote professional growth by giving members the opportunity to develop communication, inter-personal, and future career skills. They raise funds to maintain and acquire common resources (e.g., a computer lab and lunch room). They represent graduate students on several department committees. Once a year they invite a speaker to deliver a key department seminar. Participation in SoHo is an excellent means to learn about and prepare for success within the field and as graduate students at Cornell.

Special Events

There are several events that occur throughout the year and are open to all members of the department. You are encouraged to get involved in planning and participating in all of them. Some of the standard events are listed below. Watch for notices!

• Summer Picnic – July
• Horticulture Section Picks (cherries, blueberries, etc.) – for the section community and immediate family members
• SoHo Welcome BBQ – July or August
• SIPS Holiday Party– early December
• Annual Banquet and Dance in Geneva – wintertime

Regular admission cycle

Applications for Fall admission are due December 1 of the preceding year.

Applications are evaluated holistically using a rubric that assesses for many predictors of success in our graduate program.

The most competitive applicants are those who seek to do something important through horticulture, who have the training and talent to achieve that goal, for whom our program is well positioned to help them reach that goal.

Alternative admissions cycles

Spring matriculation

There is no open call for applications for spring admissions because no funding is available. In exceptional cases, admission can be open to students who have full funding and an advisor. In those cases, applications are reviewed relative to the most recent regular admission cycle.

In-House Application to a Ph.D. Program

Students who were admitted into the M.S. degree program, have fulfilled those requirements, and then wish to continue their studies in a Ph.D. program must complete a new on-line application for admission to the Horticulture PhD program. Because the criteria and expectations for MS students are much broader than for the PhD program, it is not common nor expected that students admitted to an MS will apply for a PhD in our program. Students contemplating a PhD should apply for the MS-PhD program initially. In House applications are reviewed with the same rigor as external applications and compete for funding with the external applications. Application fee waiver information can be found here: Graduate School Application Fees.

Readmission

Students who have let their registration lapse in their current program and wish to return to finish their degree should use the Application for Readmission (Form R3).

Update history Updated 07.07.20 Tara Reed Updated April 2021 Thomas Björkman