(SPESS)
The departmental-level academic course plan for each student will be developed in consultation with and approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee. The committee will include the student’s major professor and at least two additional members of the graduate faculty such that the LSU Graduate School’s requirements for graduate committees are satisfied.
The thesis option requires a minimum of 30 hours of credit at the graduate level, of which no more than six may be thesis credit hours. Other curricular requirements include:
- At least 15 hours of credit in courses at or above the 7000-level, which may include up to three hours of thesis credit.
- At least one hour credit in the seminar class, AGRO 7001 .
- A minimum of 6 hours of thesis credit.
The student must pass a comprehensive oral examination (thesis defense). Students are strongly encouraged to publish manuscript(s) from their MS research in appropriate peer-reviewed, scholarly journals.
The non-thesis option degree requires a minimum of 36 hours credit at the graduate level. This degree option, which must be approved by the student’s major professor and advisory committee, is suitable for students with full-time employment who desire emphasis on course work rather than research. The curricular requirements include:
- At least 18 hours of credit in courses at or above the 7000-level.
- At least one hour credit in the seminar class, AGRO 7001 .
- Completion of a short project and a written report.
The student must pass a comprehensive oral examination.