Crop Science at Oregon State University
The Department of Crop and Soil Science, Crop Science Unit, offers graduate work leading to Master of Agriculture, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees with a major in crop science. The M.Ag. degree provides for broad training in several fields of agriculture. It does not require a thesis. The M.S. requires completion of not less than 45 term hours, including thesis and graduate-level courses. The M.S. normally requires 2 years. The Ph.D. is granted for proven ability in research and scholarship and generally requires 3 years (or more than 110 credit hours) beyond the M.S. or 4 years beyond the B.S. degree.
Areas of study leading to advanced degrees in Crop Science include biotechnology, cereal breeding and genetics, cereal chemistry, crop physiology, crop production, forage and pasture management, hop breeding and genetics, new crops, potato production, breeding and genetics, seed physiology, seed production, seed technology and quality, weed science, and entomology. Graduate students are required to participate in the on-going research program with which their thesis is associated regardless of their funding source. This research is considered an essential part of the training program and an excellent opportunity for the student to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to field or laboratory situations.
Admission forms and materials related to other aspects of graduate study are available electronically through the Crop and Soil Science Dept. web site: http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/.
The OSU home page: http://oregonstate.edu/ also provides useful information about the university and local community.
To be eligible for graduate work in the department, a student must be admitted to the Oregon State University Graduate School. Graduate School admission requires that an applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and a scholastic record and other evidence indicating aptitude for satisfactory graduate work. Rank in class, especially for foreign students, is particularly helpful in evaluating scholastic ability. A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (where 4.0 = A) is required.
International students must show evidence of competency in English. A score of 550 (paper test or 213 computer test) on the TOEFL exam is required. Graduate Students are accepted into the department on the basis of evidence of competence, including GPA and personal recommendations. Any deficiencies in background for a particular specialization must be made up to the satisfaction of the major professor, the Crop Science graduate studies committee, and the student's advisory committee. Applicants are advised to investigate available positions in the department before making formal application to the OSU Admissions Office.
A limited number of graduate research assistantships are available to students through various projects in the department. Research assistants work on a part-time basis 12 months per year; all students must contribute to the sponsoring research project. Graduate research assistants do not pay tuition but are responsible for fees and health insurance. Group health insurance is available through OSU. General information on eligibility rules for low-interest federal loans can be obtained from the OSU Financial Aid Office.
Non-U.S. citizen applicants may seek fellowships from their home country, or from international agencies and foundations. In order to obtain a student visa, international students must show evidence of sufficient financial resources to support their entire educational program at OSU.
Students are encouraged to contact the OSU Office of Student Housing and Residence Programs for information.
http://egov.oregon.gov/ODA/about_ag.shtml
Oregon has a population of fewer than 4 million and a geographical area of 97,000 square miles (251,418 km2). More than half of the state is public land, managed primarily as national forests.
The Oregon economy is highly dependent on agriculture, forestry, technology industries, fisheries, and tourism.
The state has a great diversity in soils, climate, and topography. Elevation ranges from sea level on the Pacific Coast to more than 11,000 feet (3300 meters) on Mt. Hood. Precipitation occurs primarily in the winter and averages over 100 inches (250 cm) at some locations near the coast to less than 8 inches (20 cm) in the eastern Oregon desert. Summers are invariably dry but irrigation is available in some areas to support a vigorous agricultural industry.
Because of the wide range in climate, numerous crops are grown. Included are nursery stock, hay, wheat and other cereals, alfalfa, grass seed and seed of many other crops, potatoes, onions, tree fruits, peppermint, sugar beets, vegetables sold fresh or processed, berries, hops, wine grapes, flower bulbs, and nutcrops.
