Graduate Field
Soil and Crop Sciences
Program Description
The Field of Soil and Crop Sciences occupies a modern and diversified agronomic research facility. An air-conditioned, eleven-story research tower and adjoining wings incorporate fully equipped laboratory, teaching, office, and supporting spaces. Growth chambers and greenhouses are on the campus, and there are three main field stations near Ithaca. Some members of the field are staff members at the Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health or the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, both of which are on campus.
Many of the faculty members have research programs concerning international agricultural and environmental issues in tropical and subtropical regions. A limited number of students can do most or all of their research overseas.
Field crop science covers a wide spectrum, from field-scale applied projects to cell physiology and biotechnology. Studies seek to improve crop productivity and quality, both nationally and internationally, and to identify physiological factors that could be improved through plant breeding or genetic engineering.
Soil science focuses on the processes and properties of the soil environment. It emphasizes improving the suitability of soil for crop growth while preserving its value as a natural resource by using ecologically sound approaches.
Concentrations
- Agronomy
- Environmental information science
- Field crop science
- Soil science
Program Information
- Instruction Mode: In Person
- Location: Ithaca, NY
Program Requirements
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 2
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Required
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): Required
- Student Progress Reviews (SPR) begin: Second Year
- Masters Exam (M Exam): Spring of second year
- Thesis: Spring of fourth year
Field Specific Milestones
- One semester of teaching assistantship required
Course Requirements
- Course requirements are determined by the student’s Special Committee.
- Enrollment in a GRAD research course or the equivalent field specific research course is expected of all students.
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
Learning Outcomes
A candidate for a research master’s degree in Soil and Crop Sciences is expected to demonstrate mastery of knowledge and skill in the Field of Soil and Crop Sciences. Recipients of the research master’s degree will demonstrate the ability to conduct original research in the field of soil and crop sciences. Candidates are expected to synthesize and create new knowledge, making a contribution to the Field in a timely fashion.
Proficiencies
- Demonstrate professional skills:
- Always maintain ethical standards in the discipline
- Listen, give, and receive feedback effectively. - Mastery of advanced research skills:
- Recognize and apply fundamental concepts from Soil and Crop Sciences
- Synthesize existing knowledge, identifying and applying appropriate resources and critically analyzing and evaluating one’s own findings and those of others
- Recognize and apply existing research methodologies, techniques, and technical skills
- Communicate research findings through publishing in scholarly literature and oral presentations in professional settings. - Demonstrate commitment to advancing the values of scholarship:
- Conversant of current advances within one’s field and related areas
- Show commitment to personal professional development through engagement in professional societies, publication, and other knowledge transfer modes
- Show a commitment to creating an environment that supports learning through teaching, collaborative inquiry, mentoring, or demonstration - Make an original and substantial contribution to the discipline.
