Crop, Soil & Pest Management

The Crop, Soil and Pest Management graduate program area prepares students for careers in research, teaching, extension, production agriculture and related industries. Current research programs emphasize soil and nutrient management, forage management, cereal and oil seed crop production, alternative crops, cropping systems, weed management, integrated pest management and precision agriculture. Many degree programs are cross-disciplinary to give students a comprehensive view of the field.

The Crop, Soil and Pest Management program area emphasizes a customized approach towards the course of study. Each student will work with their advisor and graduate committee to develop a course of study best suited to the student’s educational and career goals.

  • During the Fall and Winter semesters, MS students and PhD students who have not completed their comprehensive exam must enroll for 9 credits to be considered a full time student.
  • Students must complete an approved teaching opportunity or an approved extension program. For more information review the graduate teaching requirement.

M.S. Requirements

To satisfy the course requirements for a Masters degree, a student must complete:

  • A minimum of 30 credit hours from courses numbered 7000 – 9000
  • 15 credit hours (towards the 30 credit hour requirement) must be from courses numbered at the 8000 or 9000 level
  • 12 credit hours (towards the 30 credit hour requirement) can be satisfied by research, readings and problems courses

The core requirements for the Masters degree in Crop, Soil and Pest Management program are:

  • Plnt S 8010 Professionalism and Ethics (2 credits)
  • Participation in the student seminar series
  • Plnt S 8090 Thesis Research (1 – 10 credits per semester)

Ph.D. Requirements

To satisfy the course requirements for a doctoral degree, a student must complete:

  • A minimum of 72 credit hours from courses numbered 7000-9000 (this includes dissertation research credit hours – i.e. Plnt S 9090)
  • 15 credit hours (towards the 72 hour requirement) must be from courses numbered at the 8000 or 9000 level, exclusive of dissertation research, problems or independent study

The core requirements for the PhD degree in Crop, Soil and Pest Management program are:

  • Plnt S 8010 Professionalism and Ethics (2 credits)
  • Participation in the student seminar series
    • Plnt S 9087 (2 credits – Must enroll twice; only 1 credit counts towards the 15 credit hour requirement of 8000/9000 level courses)
    • Plnt S 7087 (3 credits – Must enroll 3 times)
  • Plnt S 9090 Dissertation Research (1 – 10 credits per semester)

Advising

Kevin Bradley, weed science

Justin Chlapecka, rice production

Felix Fritschi, crop physiology & genetics

Bruce Hibbard, insect resistance management

John Lory, environmental nutrient management

Ron Mittler, plant stress biology

Harley Naumann, forage physiology

Kelly Nelson, crop production systems

Craig Roberts, forage quality

Reid Smeda, weed science

Qisheng Song, molecular insect physiology

Andrew Thomas, horticultural crop production techniques

Michele Warmund, fruit and nut crop physiology

Xi Xiong, turfgrass science