Foreword from the Graduate Studies Committee - Return to Index

The Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science Graduate Student Handbook contains policies, rules, procedures and general information that affect both graduate students and graduate faculty. The material presented here has been gathered from various sources, discussed by the Graduate Studies Committee, and approved by a vote of the Horticulture and Crop Science faculty. Most of the wording and policies are based on the requirements of the Graduate School, the administrative unit at Ohio State which makes the ultimate decisions about student success or failure. There are some traditional procedures which amount to our interpretation of Graduate School policy and other "local customs" within the Department which extend those policies as they relate to our program. None of the regulations of this department contradict those of the Graduate School. Remember that if the student cannot find a regulation in this handbook, Graduate School regulations may be applicable.

Important policies of the Graduate School have been highlighted, but we have attempted to focus on those practices of graduate education which are emphasized within the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. As with any endeavor of this type, there will be changes in departmental and university regulations which will be included in future versions of this Handbook, following consultation with the Department Chair, the Graduate Studies Committee, and the Faculty. Graduate students and faculty are urged to familiarize themselves with university-wide regulations as presented in the Graduate School Handbook issued by the Graduate School. Each faculty member should also have a copy of the Faculty Advisor Handbook from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. There are many other instructive publications which contain information directly relevant to graduate education. For example, specific instruction on preparation of MS and PhD theses in Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Theses, Dissertations, and D.M.A. Documents (issued by The Graduate School) is required reading for every graduate student who intends to submit a document for approval. If the student is new to the university, a copy of The Student Handbook, (available from the Office of Student Life) and the Graduate School Bulletin should be obtained. Both are guides to the processes and services available at Ohio State. Faculty and graduate students in Horticulture and Crop Science are strongly encouraged to keep updated copies of the Horticulture and Crop Science Graduate Student Handbook and the OSU Graduate School Handbook.

The Department of Horticulture and Crop Science will make every effort necessary to provide both the physical resources and intellectual environment for successful completion of the graduate program. Graduate students are expected to exhibit motivation, integrity, and the professional ambition to fully utilize the resources available for this achievement. We hope students will experience professional growth and personal enjoyment during their graduate program at OSU.

On behalf of the graduate faculty in the Department of Horticulture & Crop Science, the Graduate Studies Committee welcomes you to the department. We are excited you are pursuing your studies at OSU and we are ready to assist you in your graduate program.